14 July 2023 , 23:57
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Carolina Panthers players view rookie quarterback Bryce Young as cocky — but not in a bad way. Running back Miles Sanders said on Thursday that Young understands his immense talent and has relaxed confidence about him.
That claim echoes positive feedback the No. 1 pick of the 2023 NFL Draft has received from other Carolina team-mates following an impressive showing at Organized Team Activities (OTAs).
"He's cocky in a humble way," Sanders said on the Rich Eisen Show. "The humblest way. He knows who he is. I think we're in good hands. When we're there on the field, and I'm talking to him, I tell him to just take it slow with the offense. I very well see that during plays and going against the defense. His decision-making is smart, he doesn't force anything and his pocket presence is what really stands out to me. And the height doesn't matter at all. … I like him, and we have a bright future ahead of us.
"I don't know what Nick Saban is doing over there with those Alabama guys, but he's creating some very sharp guys. I'm looking at him and he's very sharp with everything. He's there early, he leaves late."
Young reportedly wasn't a shoo-in to get drafted first overall, as the Panthers are said to have considered C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson. The 21-year-old won the Heisman Trophy in 2021 and finished sixth for the award in 2022. He totalled 80 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions during his time at Alabama. However, some scouts worried his shorter-than-average stature for a quarterback could cause NFL struggles. Young's team-mates on offence sound glad Carolina ultimately settled on him despite the concerns about his frame.
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"I think he just kinda surprised a lot of guys of how prepared he was for the NFL game," wide receiver Adam Thielen said on the Rich Eisen Show after OTAs. "I think sometimes it's hard in those moments — because you're in shorts and a T-shirt, right? So you don't wanna [get] too excited about — whether that's your team or individually — you don't wanna get too excited in the summer because it's a different game when you put pads on.
"But at the same time, the way he moves in the pocket, the way that he adjusts and can get the ball out on time and accurate and he can make adjustments and things like that. It's impressive. It gets you excited to get back working together."
Carolina didn't exactly give Young a world-class array of receiving options, trading screen game star Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers mid-season in 2022 and top pass-catcher D.J. Moore to the Chicago Bears this summer.
They added veteran Adam Thielen in free agency, but the 32-year-old's numbers have declined for several years. Second-round draft pick Jonathan Mingo carries lots of potential, but it may take time for him to settle into the NFL.
Young can take solace in the members of the locker room supporting him. During a season likely geared towards player development over winning games, their backing could do wonders for his personal growth.