The Carolina Panthers have made a bold move to secure their quarterback of the future, trading away multiple draft assets and wide receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. With the draft now just weeks away, speculation is rife as to who the Panthers will select with the top pick.
It’s widely expected that the Panthers will select a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick. After cycling through a series of stopgap options in recent years, including Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield, it’s clear that the Panthers are eager to secure a long-term solution at the position.
Alabama’s Bryce Young appears to be the most likely candidate to be taken by the Panthers with the top pick. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner wowed scouts and general managers at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine with his poise, accuracy, and arm strength. While there are concerns over his height, NFL teams have shown a willingness to work around such limitations in the past.
However, Ohio State’s CJ Stroud could also be in the mix for the Panthers. The young quarterback was impressive in his two seasons as a starter for the Buckeyes, throwing for over 8,000 yards and 85 touchdowns. Stroud’s arm strength and accuracy make him an intriguing prospect, and he could be a viable option for the Panthers at No. 1 overall.
While Young and Stroud appear to be the favorites to be taken by the Panthers, there are a couple of other intriguing prospects that could be in play. Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis both possess the size and tools that NFL GMs are looking for in a franchise quarterback. While there are concerns over their respective skill sets, both players have shown flashes of brilliance in college and could be worth the risk for the Panthers.
Regardless of who the Panthers ultimately select with the No. 1 overall pick, it’s clear that the team is committed to finding a long-term solution at quarterback. With an arsenal of draft picks and young talent on the roster, the Panthers are well-positioned to build a team that can contend for years to come.