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Bryce Young, CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson aim to make draft history

Jason ReidReading: 5 min.

Everything indicates that, for the second time, three African-American quarterbacks will be selected in the first round, but it could be the first time that all three leave in the Top-10

For only the second time in draft history for the NFLthree African-American quarterbacks are expected to be selected in the first round: Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud y Anthony Richardson.

There is even noise prior to the draft in the sense that Young, Stroud y Richardson will be chosen among the first 10 shifts of the three-day process that starts on April 27 in Kansas City, Missouri. That number of black quarterbacks have never been taken this high in a single draft.

After two black quarterbacks faced each other for the starters in a Super Bowl for the first time, the way in which people are considered Young, Stroud y Richardson Facing the NFL Scout Combine in Indianapolis this week is another example of the rise of African-American quarterbacks in the NFL.

When Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith y Daunte Culpepper They were selected in the first round of the Draft 1999, marked the first time three black quarterbacks were taken in the first round. That seminal event signaled to the world that black quarterbacks had finally overcome a narrative that never lived up to the facts: that they were supposedly not smart enough, tough enough, or brave enough to lead.

Bryce Young, CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson could hear their respective names within the first few picks of the 2023 NFL Draft.Getty Images/AP Photo

Now, African-American quarterbacks are among the most celebrated players in the league. NFLand the quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomesis the face of the most powerful and successful professional sports league. Young, Stroud y Richardson they are eager to join her.

The draft analyst for ESPN, Jordan Reidis excited for all three. Reid he believes they are the best players available at the quarterback position for this year’s draft.

“They are my first three at the moment. I have a Young, Stroud y Richardson“, said Reid by phone the other day. And, yes, if they are all [seleccionados en la primera ronda]It would be something that hasn’t happened in quite some time.”

In 1999, the Philadelphia Eagles used the second overall selection to take Donovan McNabbwho shone in Syracuse. One turn later, the Cincinnati Bengals they chose Smithwho was a standout for Oregon. Culpepperwho emerged as a top prospect for the NFL during his time in Central Floridahe finished eleventh overall at the Minnesota Vikings.

In this kind of draft, Young looks like a future star NFLcree Reid. as sophomore in Alabama, Young was the distant winner in the vote for the Trophy Heisman.

“There aren’t really many concerns with him as far as playing the position,” he said. Reid. “He was a fantastic leader and Alabamawhat [la temporada pasada] It wasn’t what it normally is from a personal standpoint, they didn’t have that first-round receiver we’ve seen in years past, and the offensive line was inconsistent. He was really, really good at lifting all those guys up.”

In Alabamahowever, Young he was listed at just 6 feet tall. There was a time in the NFL in which a quarterback with the stature of Young he wouldn’t have been drafted in the first round, much less in the early picks.

In it Draft 201274 players were chosen before Russell Wilson (5 feet 11 inches), selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round. But later Wilson helped the Seahawks to win one Super Bowl en route to becoming a future member of the Hall of Fameand, well, the decision makers in the NFL they began to reevaluate their anachronistic thoughts regarding the prototype size for the position.

In it Combined 2018el quarterback Baker Mayfield He measured 6 feet 5/8 of an inch. During the Combined 2019el quarterback Kyler Murray He measured 5 feet 10 inches. Both were selected No. 1 overall in their respective years.

For Reid, Young is his QB1 in it Draft 2023no matter what you measure Young in it Combined.

“Even if it’s 5-foot-10-and-a-half, 5-foot-11, I think it’ll be fine,” he said. Reid. “Did [jugar ante el nivel más alto] in the SEC. We are talking about the best of the best in the country. For me, that eliminates a lot of the size concerns.”

In the same way, Reid find many things you like in Stroud (6 feet 3 inches, 218 pounds), who shone in Ohio State. At the collegiate level, Stroud mastered the art of playing quarterback, noted Reid.

“You’re talking about someone who’s just a natural playing the position,” he said. Reidwho was a record-breaking quarterback for the North Carolina Central University. “The best way I can say it is, when you look at it, it’s like going to a baseball game and seeing the ace pitcher, the No. 1 pitcher, going to work.

“The way the position plays is exactly the way you want it to be played. From a mechanical standpoint, it does everything you want to see. The footwork, the angles on the arm, everything he does in the pocket, he’s very neat with all of that. And, he is also capable of placing the ovoid in the three levels of the field [corto, medio y profundo]”.

Then this Richardsonwho is listed by Florida at 6-foot-4, 236 pounds, and who is one of the most intriguing prospects in the Combined, regardless of position. According Reidcon Richardsonthere is enormous potential.

“There will always be a stigma attached to black athletic quarterbacks, and many [analistas de draft] They don’t go to the tapes to study it,” he warned. Reid. “He’s much more polished than what people say about him. You can hear that he’s a raw prospect, that it’s not accurate, and stuff like that. But, I think that all this derives from inexperience. I don’t even count the 2021 campaign with him, because he went in and out of each series with [otro] quarterback.

“I didn’t even know who was going to start a certain series in the games. I’m not counting that against you. Last season was really his first as a starter. It wasn’t accurate. But he is very natural playing the position. He simply hasn’t been exposed to much replay. Besides, he wasn’t playing with many [buenos] players in Florida. The staff around him were not great. It just requires more game replays. For him, it’s about receiving that experience.”

This draft projects as a springboard for Young, Stroud y Richardson begin to gain experience in NFL. And if the process turns out as expected for them, they’ll throw a party like it’s 1999.

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