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United Kingdom NFL draft: Former Mater Dei star Bryce Young taken at No. 1 by ...
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud celebrates after being chosen by the Houston Texans with the second overall pick during the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is chosen by the Carolina Panthers with the first pick of the NFL draft on Thursday night in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Images for NFL/Doug Benc)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young gets a jersey from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by Carolina Panthers with the first overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, right, poses with his parents, Craig and Julie Young, on the NFL draft red carpet, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Images for NFL/Doug Benc)
Alabama Quarterback Bryce Young poses with Carolina Panther fans after being selected with as the 1st pick at the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Images for NFL/Tyler Kaufman)
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud celebrates after being chosen by the Houston Texans with the second overall pick during the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
C.J. Stroud celebrates after being selected second overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
C.J. Stroud celebrates after being selected second overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
C.J. Stroud poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected second overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud meets with fans after being chosen by the Houston Texans with the second overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. reacts after being chosen by the Houston Texans with the third overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. embraces NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Houston Texans with the third overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. wears Terminator socks after being chosen by the Houston Texans with the third overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Draft prospects stand on stage before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Ohio State offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. reacts after being chosen by the Arizona Cardinals with the sixth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Texas Tech defensive lineman Tyree Wilson lifts up NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Las Vegas Raiders with the seventh overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Texas Tech defensive lineman Tyree Wilson takes a selfie with fans after being chosen by the Las Vegas Raiders with the seventh overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Texas running back Bijan Robinson hugs family after being selected 8th by the Atlanta Falcons at the 2023 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Texas running back Bijan Robinson puts on a hat after being chosen by the Atlanta Falcons with the eighth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Texas running back Bijan Robinson poses after being chosen by the Atlanta Falcons with the eighth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Fans gather before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter poses after being chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles with the ninth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Fans gather before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Oregon defensive back Christian Gonzalez stands on stage after being chosen by the New England Patriots with the 17th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis waits in the Green Room with family at the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday night in Kansas City, Mo. Levis, expected to be a top-10 pick by some, was not chosen by the end of the first round. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers celebrates after being chosen by the Baltimore Ravens with the 22nd overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
USC wide receiver Jordan Addison celebrates with fans after being chosen by the Minnesota Vikings with the 23rd overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
USC wide receiver Jordan Addison walks onto the stage after he was was chosen by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 23 pick at the 2023 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
USC wide receiver Jordan Addison celebrates after being chosen by the Minnesota Vikings with the 23rd overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
USC wide receiver Jordan Addison, left, and Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, hold a team jersey after Addison was chosen by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 23 pick at the 2023 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
USC wide receiver Jordan Addison, left, and Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, hold a team jersey after Addison was chosen by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 23 pick at the 2023 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
USC wide receiver Jordan Addison, left, stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Minnesota Vikings with the 23rd overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Former USC wide receiver Jordan Addison poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected 23rd overall by the Minnesota Vikings during the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
USC wide receiver Jordan Addison celebrates with fans after being chosen by the Minnesota Vikings with the 23rd overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Alabama Quarterback, Bryce Young, with former Alabama Head coach Nick Saban is chosen by the Carolina Panthers with the first pick at the 2023 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Images for NFL/Doug Benc)
Former TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston celebrates with family and friends as they watch the NFL draft during a draft party at a Dave & Buster’s in Dallas. The Chargers selected Johnston with the 21st overall pick. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Dave & Buster’s)
Los Angeles Chargers fans celebrate during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Former TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston celebrates with family and friends as they watch the NFL draft during a draft party at a Dave & Buster’s in Dallas. The Chargers selected Johnston with the 21st overall pick. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Dave & Buster’s)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young walks on the NFL draft red carpet, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Images for NFL/Doug Benc)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young poses on the NFL draft red carpet, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Images for NFL/Doug Benc)
Top prospect Bryce Young is introduced during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
From left, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, and Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith Njigba, embrace each other at the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday night in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Images for NFL/Doug Benc)
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud arrives on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Fans embrace before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A Chicago Bears fan poses prior to the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
A Dallas Cowboys fan poses prior to the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions fans watch during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A New York Jets fan poses prior to the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Steelers fans cheer during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A Philadelphia Eagles fan poses prior to the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Washington Commanders fans pose with a Indianapolis Colts fan prior to the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
A Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan poses prior to the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs fans cheer during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A Buffalo Bills fan poses prior to the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
A Seattle Seahawks fan poses prior to the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
A fan points to his necklace before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
New York Jets fans cheer during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A Chicago Bears and a Dallas Cowboys fan talk prior to the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
A Houston Texans fan poses prior to the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans cheer during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
An Indianapolis Colts fan poses prior tog the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Washington Commanders fans pose prior to the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers cheer during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A Chicago Bears fan poses prior to the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Fans gather prior to the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Finding a franchise quarterback is the quickest path to success so it’s no surprise teams made them a priority in the NFL draft.
Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson were among the top four picks Thursday night, an expected result in a rich draft class that’s been anticipated since last year. The surprise in the first round was that Will Levis didn’t hear his name called.
Young, the slender and dynamic former Mater Dei High star who dazzled at Alabama, went No. 1 to the Carolina Panthers, seven weeks after the team made a blockbuster trade with Chicago to move up to get their choice.
The biggest question surrounding the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner is size. He measured at 5-foot-10-1/8 and weighed 204 pounds at the NFL Combine. Though he dominated the SEC, some scouts and coaches fear Young might not be able to physically withstand all the hits in the NFL.
“Those that doubt me are entitled to their opinion,” Young said. “I think that is the beauty of sports. We all come together and have arguments on who you think is good or not. I choose to focus on what I can control.”
Stroud didn’t have to wait long despite speculation he might drop out of the top 10 after scoring poorly in the S2 Cognition test. The former Rancho Cucamonga High standout told the AP earlier in the day he didn’t know where he would end up going but Houston snagged the two-time Heisman finalist from Ohio State at No. 2. The Texans then made a blockbuster deal with Arizona to acquire the No. 3 pick and selected Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr.
“I can’t wait to play with Will,” Stroud said. “I hope he doesn’t hit me too hard in practice.”
Richardson was selected at No. 4 by the Indianapolis Colts, who will begin a sixth straight season with a different starting quarterback.
Richardson might have the most upside of the group but he has 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 ability.
He’ll play for Shane Steichen, who was the offensive coordinator in Philadelphia when Hurts developed into an MVP runner-up.
“I know what he did with Hurts but I am excited to get to work with him,” Richardson said. “He has told me we are going to do great things so I am looking forward to it.”
Heading into the draft, there was no certainty beyond the No. 1 pick and even that wasn’t a lock. Some thought Kentucky’s Levis would be the second QB taken but he slipped out of the first round. Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker, who is coming off ACL surgery, also wasn’t taken on the first day.
New Panthers coach Frank Reich said earlier in the week that the organization only reached a consensus Monday after several weeks of deliberation.
“I learned so much in my short time there,” Young said of his visit with the Panthers. “It is an amazing staff. You can tell there is an energy, focus, drive and will to win.”
A dual-threat playmaker with a strong arm and an elite combination of instincts and intelligence, Young also possesses the intangibles and characteristics coaches desire, including leadership ability and a strong work ethic.
“He’s a guy that checks all of the boxes,” Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said.
Young was 30-4 as a starter during three seasons with the Crimson Tide, throwing for 8,356 yards with 80 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions. He won the Heisman in 2021 after tossing 47 TD passes and helping Alabama go 13-2 and reach the College Football Playoff national championship game.
“The quarterback we are getting has been a winner forever,” Reich said. “This guy is a winner. He has been a winner on the field, but he wins off the field as well. He’s our kind of guy. Make no mistake about it, we got the best quarterback in college football right here in this stadium.”
The Panthers have sought an answer at quarterback since moving on from 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.
The Panthers are hoping Young can follow his spectacular college career by delivering the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy. He played in a pro-style offense under offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, the former Texans head coach who has returned to the NFL to run New England’s offense.
“It’s a dream come true,” Young said. “I’m blessed. I want to thank God for allowing me to be here.’’
Young knows there will be pressure on him to win – team owner David Tepper is already touting him as someone they think can help them win Super Bowls – but that doesn’t seem to faze him.
“Whenever there’s a pressure situation, I look at that as an opportunity,” Young said when asked about Tepper’s comments. “It’s fun to be in those situations. That’s what we all dream of.”
Stroud heads to Houston to help the rebuilding Texans move past Deshaun Watson.
“I know that it’s meant to be,” Stroud said. “And I know that, with this franchise, it’s going be something that I’m really going to take very, very seriously and I’m going to work my tail off to get some wins.”
The Texans have failed to find a reliable quarterback in the two seasons since Watson requested a trade before being traded to the Cleveland Browns. Davis Mills has started most of the last two seasons, going 5-22-1 in 28 games with 26 starts as the Texans were among the NFL’s worst teams.
The 6-3, 218-pound Stroud was a two-year starter for Ohio State, where he threw for 8,123 yards with 85 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions as the Buckeyes went 21-4. His 85 touchdowns over two seasons broke a Big Ten record held by Drew Brees. He was asked about dealing with the expectations of being a franchise quarterback.
“I don’t believe in pressure,” he said. “I think you either do it or you don’t.”
Texans GM Nick Caserio wouldn’t say that Stroud or Anderson would move into the starting lineup right away, but he raved about Stroud.
“C.J. was a really productive player,” Caserio said. “He’s a player that has an edge about him in a good way. He loves football, wants to compete, wants to be great, good size, comes from a good program.”
This was the ninth time two QBs went 1-2 and the first time it was two Black QBs.
“I hope that inspired a lot of Black children,” Stroud said.
After the run on QBs, defense-needy Seattle took Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon at No. 5 and the wheeling-and-dealing Cardinals moved up to No. 6 to select Ohio State offensive lineman Paris Johnson. Las Vegas then chose Texas Tech edge Tyree Wilson and Atlanta made Bijan Robinson (Texas) the first running back taken in the top 10 since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 to the Giants in 2018.
NFC champion Philadelphia moved up one spot to take troubled Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter at No. 9 and Chicago went with Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright with the 10th pick. The Eagles got Carter’s teammate, edge rusher Nolan Smith, at No. 30.
At No. 11, the Tennessee Titans passed on Levis for Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also passed on Levis at No. 19, taking Pitt defensive tackle Calijah Kancey.
It took until the 20th pick for the first wide receiver to go. The Seahawks chose Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba. That started a run of four wideouts in a row. The Chargers then took TCU’s Quentin Johnston, the Ravens grabbed Boston College’s Zay Flowers to team up with Odell Beckham Jr., and the Vikings added USC’s Jordan Addison to go with Justin Jefferson.
Two months after the hometown Kansas City Chiefs celebrated another Super Bowl title with a downtown parade, a sea of red-clad 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 walked on stage with the Vince Lombardi Trophy and riled up the crowd before turning it over to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Mahomes implored fans to scream louder – they did. Kelce asked if they wanted to trade up for the No. 1 pick.
But the Chiefs don’t need a QB. Carolina, Houston and Indianapolis did.
If they got the right one, they might be set for a decade or longer.
