NFL over/underreactions for the start of the season

Overreaction: Bryce Young needs more help

Going into Year 2, the former No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bryce Young has already been shadowed by the person who went one pick after him in C.J. Stroud. The narrative the whole year last year was that Young needed more help with one receiver with Adam Thielen eclipsing the 1000-yard mark and the second closest just getting over the 500 mark.

This year however Carolina's roster is revamped and looking good for the second-year signal caller.

The Panthers have made four key moves on the offensive side, two of them being skilled positions and the other two beefing up the trenches. They acquired their first weapon via trade, sending cornerback Donte Jackson to Pittsburgh for former Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson. Johnson has had a solid career so far as he has 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns.

This will help out Young a lot because Carolina last year lacked a true receiver one. The second weapon the Panthers added was drafting South Carolina receiver Xavier Legette at the end of the first round. Legette really blossomed his senior year totalling 71 catches,1255 yards, and seven touchdowns. Legette will help give Young another weapon in his second year.

The next two signings come from the offensive line department, with former Dolphins guard Robert Hunt and former Seahawks guard Damien Lewis. These two with Ikem Ekwonu, Austin Corbett, and Taylor Moten could lead to an underrated offensive line and hopefully more time for Young.

Underreaction: Caleb Williams and the Bears

Coming into the 2024-25 season all the eyes are on Bears first overall pick Caleb Williams. Williams looked solid in two preseason completing 50% of his passes, passing for 170 yards, 20 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown.

With Williams under the helm, the Bears also did a great job in building around him. Signing running back D’Andre Swift, trading for receiver Keenan Allen, and drafting receiver Rome Odunze. These three additions paired with receiver D.J. Moore could lead a fun and explosive offense.

Overreaction: Kansas City Chiefs aren’t the top dogs

With a new year, there are new faces on multiple teams like Stefon Diggs joining the Texans, and even players going to division rivals like Saquon Barkley. Also, key players returning off injury like Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. People may have the right to doubt whether the Chiefs are still top dogs in the league.

I personally think the league still runs through the Chiefs. The Chiefs have won three Super Bowls in five years and are coming off back-to-back Super Bowls. I know the league is getting more and more competitive each year, but until someone can knock off the Chiefs they are the top dogs.

Underreaction: Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best receiver in his class

With the fourth pick in the 2024 draft the Cardinals took Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Ever since Harrison Jr. stepped foot on Ohio State he’s been nothing but electric. During his three year college career he had 155 catches, 2613 yards, and 31 touchdowns.

No shame to other receivers taken in the top 10 in this class like Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, but Harrison Jr. has been in the limelight since high school and it won’t change in the league.

Peyton Waddell is a second-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email prw5142@psu.edu.