Mel Kiper 2023 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Young to Panthers, Titans Trade Up for Richardson

After weeks of C.J. Stroud buzz, it now appears Bryce Young has become the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

The latest mock draft by Mel Kiper of ESPN reflects the changing tide, with Young now being pegged to the Carolina Panthers and Stroud going No. 2 to the Houston Texans.

Kiper continued the quarterback run at No. 3, mocking the Tennessee Titans to trade up with the Arizona Cardinals to select Anthony Richardson. Will Levis is then sent to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 4, which would mark the first time in NFL history quarterbacks have gone with the first four selections.

Quarterbacks previously went with the first three picks of the 1971, 1999 and 2021 drafts.

Stroud had been considered the favorite at No. 1 since the Panthers traded up to the selection in a blockbuster with the Chicago Bears. The Ohio State product fits the profile of quarterbacks typically favored by Panthers coach Frank Reich, who has trended toward big-bodied pocket passers over the course of his career.

Young is anything but big-bodied. While he's a nearly flawless modern quarterback prospect from a skills standpoint, Young stands at just 5'10" and will be the smallest quarterback in the NFL from the moment he sets foot on the field.

The size concerns never hampered Young at the high school or college level, but he did miss time last season because of injury. There's enough evidence quarterbacks of Young's height can excel that it's less of a concern about his slight frame—which could make him more prone to injury than Stroud, Richardson and Levis, who are all significantly larger.

As it stands, it's looking increasingly like Reich is willing to eschew his past preferences and roll the dice on the most complete quarterback in the class.

DraftKings Sportsbook now pegs Young as the favorite for the top overall spot at -250.