The fastest route to success in the NFL lies in finding a franchise quarterback, so it’s no surprise that teams prioritized them in the draft.
Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson were among the top four selections on Thursday night, a predictable outcome in a talented draft class that has been eagerly awaited since last year. The first-round surprise was that Will Levis didn’t have his name called.
The Carolina Panthers chose the slim and dynamic Alabama quarterback, Young, at No. 1, seven weeks after making a significant trade with Chicago to move up and secure their pick.
Despite concerns about his size, as he measured at 5-foot-10 1/8 and weighed 204 pounds at the combine, Young is confident in his abilities. Stroud didn’t wait long to be picked either, despite speculation he might fall out of the top 10 after scoring poorly in the S2 Cognition test. Houston selected him at No. 2 and then made a blockbuster deal with Arizona to acquire the No. 3 pick, choosing Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr.
Richardson, selected at No. 4 by the Indianapolis Colts, has the group’s most potential but the least experience. He threw just 393 passes at Florida. Colts owner Jim Irsay is fond of Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, and Richardson has similar playmaking abilities.
Heading into the draft, there was no certainty beyond the No. 1 pick, and even that wasn’t guaranteed. Some thought Kentucky’s Levis would be the second QB taken, but he fell out of the first round. Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker, recovering from ACL surgery, also wasn’t selected on day one.
The Panthers have been searching for a solution at quarterback since parting ways with Cam Newton, who was the No. 1 overall pick in 2011 and the NFL MVP in 2015 when he led the Panthers to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance. Young had an outstanding career at Alabama, and the Panthers hope he can deliver the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy.
Stroud, a Heisman Trophy finalist at Ohio State in the past two seasons, joins Houston to help the rebuilding Texans move past Deshaun Watson. It’s the ninth time two QBs were selected 1-2, and the first time it involved two Black QBs.
Following the QB frenzy, Seattle selected Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon at No. 5, and the Cardinals moved up to No. 6 to select Ohio State offensive lineman Paris Johnson. Las Vegas chose Texas Tech edge Tyree Wilson, and Atlanta made Bijan Robinson the first running back taken in the top 10 since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 to the Giants in 2018.
The first wide receiver was selected in the 20th pick when the Seahawks chose Jaxon Smith-Njigba, sparking a run of four consecutive wideouts.
Two months after the hometown Kansas City Chiefs celebrated another Super Bowl title, fans lined up in the streets where the century-old Union Station served as the backdrop for the draft. Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes and All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce energized the crowd before NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell took over.
Carolina, Houston, and Indianapolis needed a QB, and if they chose correctly, they could be set for a decade or more.
After the initial excitement of the draft, teams and fans eagerly anticipate how these young players will perform in the NFL. The Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts have high hopes for their newly drafted quarterbacks, Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson, respectively. If these picks live up to their potential, these franchises could be set for long-term success.
The first draft round heavily focused on offensive players, with teams investing in quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs. As the draft progresses, attention will likely shift to strengthening defences and filling gaps in the rosters.
In the second draft round, teams focused on acquiring talent across various positions, with a notable focus on defensive players. A few teams, such as the Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, added depth to their offensive lines. The Philadelphia Eagles, who had already made significant moves in the first round, bolstered their defence by selecting a linebacker and a defensive back.
As the draft continues into the third round, teams will look for hidden gems and players who can contribute immediately or be developed over time. Scouts and general managers will have their eyes peeled for prospects who may have been overlooked or undervalued for various reasons.
In the coming weeks and months, rookies will participate in mini-camps, organized team activities (OTAs), and training camps to prepare for the upcoming season. Fans, coaches, and teammates will eagerly watch how these young players adapt to the NFL and integrate into their respective teams.
With a solid foundation, the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts hope their investment in top-tier quarterbacks will pay off, leading to improved performance and success on the field. Only time will tell if these high-profile picks will live up to the hype and help their teams become perennial contenders in the NFL.
As the NFL draft concludes, teams are shifting their focus to developing and preparing the newly acquired talent for the upcoming season. The rookies must demonstrate their ability to adapt to the NFL and their respective teams’ systems during mini-camps, OTAs, and training camps.
The Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts, in particular, have invested heavily in their quarterback positions, pinning their hopes on Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson, respectively. If these players can live up to their potential, they could transform their franchises’ fortunes and establish themselves as perennial contenders in the league.
Fans, coaches, and teammates will watch closely as these young players take their first steps into the NFL, eager to see their impact on the field. The journey has just begun, and the future is filled with possibilities for these promising athletes.
