The Carolina Panthers have their first-choice quarterback for the 2023 NFL Draft….or are they just faking everyone out?
The Carolina Panthers mortgaged their future to get their top pick of quarterback in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, and one would think they already had a player in mind.
Yet this year’s quarterback class pales in comparison to last year’s, and there’s no clear-cut No. 1 prospect; the contenders are, in no particular order, Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis, and Florida’s Anthony Richardson.
From now until the draft, expect the Panthers’ front office to start playing mind games with the rest of the league regarding which quarterback they will pick at the start of the draft.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, now notorious for being on Aaron Rodgers’ hate list, Bryce Young is reportedly in the lead for getting chosen by the Panthers. Do you buy it? Take a listen to his spiel below:
NFL Rumors: Bryce Young the ‘favorite’ to be Panthers No. 1 pick
Earlier this month, Carolina traded the ninth overall pick, a 2023 second-rounder, a 2024 first-rounder, a 2025 second-rounder, and top wideout D.J. Moore to the Chicago Bears to secure the No. 1 overall pick.
Many were quick to laud Bears general manager Ryan Poles for seemingly fleecing the Panthers in that trade, though it’s much to early to draw conclusions. If the Panthers end up getting their young franchise quarterback in Young or whoever they end up taking, it will have been worth it.
Young, Alabama’s former Heisman Trophy winner, showcased his elite passing prowess and leadership for the last three years, making him a top-five pick in most mocks. The talk of the NFL Combine was exactly how short Young measured out to be, and his relatively diminutive height puts him as a severe disadvantage to start his NFL career.
Other quarterbacks in his class, like Stroud or Richardson, naturally possesses flaws of their own; Schefter noted that the Panthers franchise also liked Stroud in particular and may not have their mind completely set yet.
Whatever whispers come out of Carolina could sway other teams, namely the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts, and change how they pick at the top of the board. Gear up for another drama-filled draft, folks.
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Author: Kristen Wong
