San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
QB RICHARDSON’S WORKOUT, YOUNG’S HEIGHT ALL RAGE
Bryce Young provided one answer Saturday at the NFL’S annual scouting combine: He stands 5-foot-101⁄8 inches and weighs 204 pounds.
Next question: Will his small frame hurt his draft stock?
On a day Anthony Richardson put on an impressive show at Lucas Oil Stadium, Young’s numbers will create debate among scouts and team decision-makers about whether Young should be the first player — or the first quarterback — selected on April 27.
Richardson certainly made his case with a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, the fourth-fastest by a quarterback since 2003. The former Florida quarterback also broke the modern combine position record with a 401⁄2-inch vertical jump, and his 10-foot, 9-inch broad jump tied Matt Jones of Arkansas for the best mark by a quarterback since 2003.
Young’s numbers, meanwhile, could have the opposite effect.
Typically, teams want franchise quarterbacks to be a little sturdier to remain healthy. Young’s measurements would make him one of the league’s smallest quarterbacks.
He doesn’t believe it’s a big deal, though he was listed at 6-0, 194 in college.
“I’ve been this size my whole life. I know who I am, I know what I can do,” Young said Friday when asked about the size issue.
Trey Palmer of Nebraska logged the fastest 40-yard dash time among receivers, 4.33, narrowly outperforming Derius Davis of TCU (4.36).
Four receivers posted vertical jumps of at least 40 inches — Bryce Ford-wheaton of West Virginia (41), Rashee Rice of TCU (41), Quentin Johnston of TCU (401⁄2) and Jalin Hyatt of Tennessee (40).
Will Mallory of Miami (4.54), Zack Kuntz of Old Dominion (4.55) and Sam Laporta of Iowa (4.59) had the fastest 40s among tight ends.