Falcons' Grady Jarrett weighs in on Panthers' Bryce Young size debate

Atlanta Falcons veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett isn't giving the Carolina Panthers or rookie Bryce Young any bulletin-board material regarding the quarterback's size. 

As shared by Anthony Rizzuti of Panthers Wire/USA Today, Jarrett was asked during an appearance on NFL Network if Young's height will provide advantages or disadvantages for opposing defenses. Jarrett didn't take the bait. 

"I don’t know if . . . either, because I’m a 'small' defensive tackle," Jarrett responded. "I think the man was drafted No. 1 for a reason — and I think we’re all gonna find out a while, over time. So you gotta give him his due credit until he proves otherwise. So it is what it is. Gotta prepare for him." 

Young's size stood as the major red flag hovering over his status even before he famously measured 5-foot-10 1/8 and weighed 204 pounds at the combine. Carolina clearly wasn't concerned about those figures, as the club later traded with the Chicago Bears for this year's first overall draft pick. By most accounts, the Panthers were sold on Young throughout the process leading up to them grabbing the Alabama Crimson Tide product. 

To compare, Pro Football Reference shows that Jarrett is 6-foot and weighs roughly 305 pounds. 

Young began springtime workouts behind veteran Andy Dalton on the depth chart but appears well on his way to starting the Week 1 clash at none other than the Falcons on Sept. 10. Rizzuti mentioned in a different piece that NFL analyst Bucky Brooks recently noted how Young "has been nothing short of impressive since he’s arrived" and "is a player that is mature beyond his years." 

As of Wednesday afternoon, OddsChecker listed the Falcons as three-point favorites to defeat the Panthers in the season opener. Jarrett will hope to give Young a rude introduction to life in the NFL that Sunday afternoon.