Bryce Young has the Carolina Panthers in position to end the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' years-long reign atop the NFC South. That's not something most reasonable folks expected when he was getting benched in favor of Andy Dalton last fall.
The former No. 1 overall pick remains a work in progress, but November gave him a chance to showcase how high his ceiling is. He threw for nearly 450 yards against the Atlanta Falcons' improved defense -- impressive, but on-brand for a player who finds an extra gear against Atlanta and typically shrinks back to the ether in the weeks that follow. Then came his biggest win yet; a 31-28 home victory over the Los Angeles Rams and their top-ranked defense.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementYoung threw for three touchdowns without an interception and is playing with renewed confidence thanks to a healthy cast of playmakers around him. Lapses persist, however. So let's discuss his fantasy value -- and what kind of player we'd drop to add him to our rosters.
Joining me, as always, is Rhode Island Scumbag (his words) Mike Boyajian. But if you're looking for more in-depth analysis, read on.
QB Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (18 percent owned in Yahoo! Fantasy leagues)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 30: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers is pressured by Nate Landman #53 of the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)Week 13: 206 passing yards, three touchdowns. 23 rushing yards
Young in Weeks 11 and 13: Six touchdowns, zero interceptions, 10.2 yards per attempt, 26.6 expected points added (EPA) and two wins.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementYoung in Weeks 10 and 12: One touchdown, three interceptions, 5.4 yards per attempt, -25.4 EPA and two losses.
Yep, the former No. 1 overall pick is a roller coaster unto himself. He’s also shown signs of growth under head coach Dave Canales. He made marked improvements over the second half of 2024. Week 13’s roasting of the NFL’s then-top defense suggests he may have broken through to a higher plane with a healthy receiving corps around him.
That won’t result in big yardage numbers. That win over the Rams marked just his third game in 2025 with more than 200 passing yards. But he adds modest value on the ground (six touchdowns last season) and could be a solid speculative pickup for a team with a shaky QB (like, say, you just dropped Jordan Love even though Toyotathon just began).
vs. New Orleans Saints QB Tyler Shough (Seven percent)
I don’t think we’ll know what Shough is this season; there’s simply not enough talent around him to make a definitive declaration about his future. But he’s found a way to improve as games go on, working better outside his opening game script and finding holes throughout the second half of what inevitably turn out to be losses.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat’s led to uneven performances but some fantasy value in the vein of “Blake Bortles trying to will the Jaguars back from a 24-point deficit.” He’s broken through for 21-plus points in half his starts (and under 13 in the other two). He’s getting sacked as much as you’d expect for a rookie asked to drop back 40-plus times per game (nine in the last two weeks). Even so, he’s gonna keep throwing the ball because, unlike the Panthers, New Orleans has run out of trustworthy bodies in the run game.
Verdict: Young, but Shough is worth keeping an eye on.
vs. Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud (39 percent)
Stroud got a vital victory after his return from concussion protocol, but was more of a steady presence behind center rather than a game-changer. He’s been more explosive in 2025 than he was in a lost 2024, posting a pair of 30-ish point performances in a three-game span before turning the reins over to Davis Mills while recovering.
Stroud was stung by a lack of touchdown passes but managed better than 12.5 yards per completion while making a Dalton Schultz/Jayden Higgins combination a proper swarm behind Nico Collins’ battering ram. He’s got the more stable floor and won’t be held out of the end zone for long.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementVerdict: Stroud.
vs. Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (52 percent)
Lawrence has thrown seven touchdown passes in four games since Jakobi Meyers became a Jaguar. He had nine in the eight games that preceded it. Having a reliable route runner with run-after-catch juice has simplified his offense, but it’s also expanded the playbook.
Lawrence has been given the green light to run more often in recent weeks. While that’s mostly been scrambles – only three designed runs in those four games – he’s still averaged nearly 25 rushing yards per contest in that stretch. That raises his floor and gives him weekly 20-plus point capabilities. Given how streaky Young has been, he’s the more stable option.
Verdict: Young for the ceiling. Lawrence for the floor.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Fantasy Waiver Ladder, Week 14: Are we really gonna trust Bryce Young?
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