VSIN

If Bryce Young stood four inches taller, he undoubtedly would be the No. 1 overall pick in this month’s NFL Draft. But size does matter, and the former Alabama quarterback is 5-foot-10. If the reports leaking from some reliable sources around the league are correct, Young will be the top pick anyway. Many aspects of a player matter more than size, and Young has everything but impressive height. The tide recently turned in the betting markets. DraftKings now lists Young as the -360 favorite to go first, about three weeks after Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud was favored in the same price range. The favorite flipped based on information that indicates the Carolina Panthers prefer to use the No. 1 pick on Young instead of Stroud. Draft season is riddled with misinformation and smokescreens, but I’m buying the Panthers’ affinity for Young partly because he’s the player I would select if making the call in the Carolina draft room on April 27. Information leaks also indicate the Houston Texans, who pick second, covet Young as their potential franchise quarterback. While the Texans need a quarterback, don’t be surprised if they make an unexpected move that causes Mel Kiper Jr.’s hair to stand up higher than usual.