Panthers pick Alabama quarterback Young first in NFL draft

Quarterbacks and Texans were prevalent in the 2023 NFL Draft, which began with Alabama quarterback Bryce Young going first overall to the Carolina Panthers.

Three of the top four picks were quarterbacks, and the Houston Texans shook up the first round by acquiring the No. 3 pick from the Arizona Cardinals. The move ushered in a new foundation for the rebuild in Houston under coach DeMeco Ryans. Arizona traded back up to No. 6 in a swap with the Detroit Lions, who moved to No. 12.

Young is the first Alabama player selected No. 1 since 1948 (Harry Gilmer) and the only Nick Saban-coached player to go first in the draft.

"It's a dream come true," Young said. "I can't be more excited. I'm blessed to be a Panther.

"Being the number 1 pick is amazing, but I don't want to be known as a number1 pick."

Houston followed suit. The Texans went with Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud with the second pick and used No. 3 on Alabama defensive end Will Anderson Jr.

"We've identified players with traits we want on the field and in our building," Texans GM Nick Caserio said Thursday. He said Houston finally completed the deal with Arizona for the third pick with 90 seconds left on the clock.

Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon went fifth to the Seattle Seahawks, using the pick acquired from the Denver Broncos in the Russell Wilson trade. Seattle selected Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 20.

The Cardinals took another Buckeye, Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr., sixth to play left tackle and go from protecting Stroud to safeguarding Kyler Murray.

"I'm just here to work," Johnson said. "When I heard Cardinals, it sent chills through my body. I wanted the Cardinals."

Texas college products stepped onto the stage and out of the Texans'