Welcome to SKOL Search!
This series will be your guide to the 2023 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.
The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at wide receiver, running back, cornerback and both interior and edge pass rusher.
The Vikings are slated to have four picks before compensatory selections are awarded and they need to make the most out of them.
Background
Bryce Young
- Alabama
- Height-6000
- Weight-194 lbs
- Third-year junior
- 5-Star recruit per 247 Sports
- Stats: 65.8%, 8,356 yards, 80 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 139 carries, 162 yards, 1.2 yards per carry, 7 touchdowns
- Games watched: Georgia 2021 (National Title Game), Texas 2022, Mississippi State 2022, LSU 2022, Kansas State 202
Strengths
Young is one of the best playmakers at the quarterback position that we have seen in some time. He has a knack to make the big play and that comes from his excellent poise. No matter the situation, Young is primed to make a big play.
He is incredibly patient and poised in the pocket. Nothing phases him in the slightest. Young is always looking to attack done the field and doesn’t panic when pressure comes at him.
He is also incredible when creating after the play breaks down. Alabama didn’t have a lot at his disposal this past season and Young made the best of it consistently. That did eventually bite them in the end but it wasn’t due to Young’s brilliance.
Young is a capable passer. He can make every throw that you need from an NFL quarterback. He especially succeeds with accuracy and throwing in rhythm. He keeps his base solid underneath and doesn’t stray from his upper half.
Weaknesses
Despite how talented Young is, there are some concerns. The main one is his size. He is listed at six feet tall and 194 lbs but he looks significantly smaller than that. Having a frame that small could end up being a real issue. Even the smaller quarterbacks like Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson had thicker frames and weighed significantly more than 200 lbs.
Along with that, Young doesn’t have plus-arm talent. He can make all the throws but nothing about his arm is special. He isn’t going to make any spectacular throws nor is he going to wow you with game-breaking plays unless he creates outside of structure.
Young also is too comfortable in the pocket. His internal clock isn’t where it needs to be and, while it didn’t cost him at Alabama, it could become a major issue at the next level.
Overview
| Arm Strength | 8.5/10 |
| Accuracy | 9.1/10 |
| Mechanics | 9.0/10 |
| Ball Placement | 9.0/10 |
| Throwing Motion | 8.6/10 |
| Progressions | 8.5/10 |
| Decision Making | 8.5/10 |
| Functional Mobility | 8.8/10 |
| Durability | 8.0/10 |
| Poise | 9.1/10 |
| Grade | 87.1/100 First Round |
Young is an excellent prospect and could easily go first overall. However, with the questions of his frame and not having elite arm talent knock him down slightly for me. He can definitely overcome those areas, but that’s why he’s slightly lower for me than he will be for others and also why he will be behind C.J. Stroud.
