The Panthers are likely keeping the No. 1 pick and they’re likely using that selection on a signal-caller. Beyond that, their plan is up in the air. Naturally, the organization is doing their due diligence on the draft’s top quarterback prospects.
The organization had dinner with Alabama QB Bryce Young earlier this week, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). Kentucky QB Will Levis also dined with a Panthers contingent that included owners David and Nicole Tepper, general manager Scott Fitterer, head coach Frank Reich, assistant GM Dan Morgan, VP Samir Suleiman, and coaches Jim Caldwell, Thomas Brown, and Josh McCown, per Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (on Twitter). And, unsurprisingly, the Panthers will use one of their 30 prospect visits on Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Twitter.
According to Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post, several team executives believe Tepper is leaning towards Young. However, if the decision was up to several coaches, Stroud would likely be the pick at No. 1. While the front office will surely factor in all of these opinions before the draft, they’ll also be leaning on Caldwell, the team’s new senior assistant. A source said the former coach and QB guru has “a huge voice in this process” and “might have even more say than the head coach.” Ultimately, one rival official believes the decision will ultimately be made by Tepper.
“The owner is going to win that one if he falls in love with one of these kids,” the source told La Canfora. “He’s seen enough misevaluations of the position already.”
After the Panthers sacrificed a pair of firsts, a pair of seconds, and wideout D.J. Moore for the first-overall pick, some pundits have wondered if Carolina could look to flip the pick again. “No one is buying” that the Panthers would consider trading the pick, according to La Canfora, with the reporter citing Tepper’s desire “to get to this point.” Indeed, Fitterer confirmed to Joseph Person of The Athletic that the organization hasn’t received any calls about the top selection (Twitter link).
The Panthers will regret passing up Anthony Richardson for future bust CJ Stroud.
Richardson is much more likely to be a bust than Young or Stroud. His athleticism and physical traits are awesome, but he has a ways to go as a passer and will need time to sit back and develop before starting a game.
If he can’t make significant strides as a passer (and that’s a big if), he’ll be eaten alive in the NFL with his current skillset.
His accuracy and reads certainly need to develop. He could end up being a Pryor like situation, of which, naturally would hurt later.
They’re both busts so it really doesn’t matter when either is picked.
There is absolutely nothing on tape that backs up your statement.
Regardless of what Stroud has done, AR has shown a severe lack of maturity, experience, and consistency in his game.
He may one day be better than Stroud, but AR is significantly more likely to bust than Stroud.
He could have done wonders for his career by staying another season under SunBelt Billy, improving his footwork, decision making, and gaining more experience reading defenses. Instead, he’s forced evaluators hands by having to take a gamble on his raw attributes and athleticism, while trying to fast-track his career.
How a QB fairs in the NFL is largely based off of where they land, their coaching, and the team that surrounds them. AR better hope he lands in a good spot, one where he will not be forced to start right away, and a franchise with an excellent offensive mind; otherwise, he’s significantly more likely to be the bust.
Richardson has RGIII 2.0 written all over him, whoever used their 1 rounder on him will be looking again in two years.
RGIII was a VERY solid QB prospect coming out of Baylor… and still flamed out.
Richardson has the upside RGIII did, but is nowhere close to as polished or accomplished as RGIII was.
Anthony Richardson is a lottery ticket. Dead serious, I can’t think of a QB taken in the first round that was coming out of college with mechanics as bad as him, and so little production.
They shouldn’t take Richardson. Regardless of who has the higher ceiling, Stroud and Young both have a higher floor. Richardson isn’t going to be ready to start day 1, and if they take him #1 the pressure is going to be on them to start him as soon as possible.
Honestly, trading up in this year’s class was a gigantic mistake though in my opinion. They spent a lot of draft capital to do it and it’s a team that isn’t remotely close to being good.
That’s why in my opinion, they must have already found “their guy.”
You don’t give up that kind of capital without really wanting someone specific that you’ve identified as a franchise altering player.
I think they’ve already set their sights on Bryce Young, and their just doing their due diligence on the rest of the guys.
Also, Houston has largely been linked with Bryce Young since the very beginning, so if I’m Carolina and I want Young, the only way to get him is by acquiring that #1 pick..
I think of all the teams Chicago actually made the smartest move, but it could very well be a win-win for both Carolina and Chicago. If Carolina gets their QB of the future then it is insta tly a win for them. Chicago acquired picks, a weapon for Fields, and they’re positioned to draft one of the top OL in the draft with their first pick while adding to their main core and roster with the rest of their selections.
I think Chicago could actually become a really good team come 2024. One more season for Fields to grow, and then another offseason acquiring talent around him and strengthening their roster through free agency and the draft will ultimately do this franchise wonders…
Richardson is really good at the stuff least important to the position and really bad at the stuff most important to position. Maybe all factors will line up to coax the best out of him one day but he certainly is not a #1 overall pick in the NFL today and very certainly isn’t a trade-up #1 overall pick today.
The employee at the McDonalds drive-thru window must have been surprised when Tepper and his entourage of dinner guests placed their orders.
Why wouldn’t the Panthers instead of drafting an unproven young QB go ahead and facilitate a deal for Lamar Jackson who is a proven commodity? They could give up this years #1 pick and a round 3 in 2024 plus a #1 in 2025 .
Not worth the first overall pick alone.
Because they could have done that without having to move DJ Moore and a few other future picks to move up
Because Baltimore is going to match any offer sheet that any other club gives to Jackson.
The salary cap. Rookie QB is a team’s main win or get good and position oneself for a final kick at the can before the rookie QB $200 million extension starts to bite into cap.
Moving up before you decide on your intended selection never works out well. As for these choices, I wouldn’t want to bet on an Ohio State QB breaking their trend of NFL under-performers.
Ohio State seems to deliver QB’s with a 10 TD to 1 interception ratio who can’t pass for a touchdown in the NFL. It’s weird. How does Ohio State do it?
Inferior competition, superb recruiting/weapons, and comparatively simplistic schemes.
I gotta think the Panthers know exactly who their picking, and the rest is just crossing T’s and dotting the I’s .. Why else would you give up next year’s 1st to move up
I completely agree. They’re just doing their due diligence, and if they’re going to change their mind they are going to make one of the other QBs force them to change their mind.
Stepper is turning into Dan Snyder.
Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and now the #1 pick. He also was in on Deshaun Watson sweepstakes. Owners can’t be making trades and drafting QBs against the recommendation of the football people (Woody Johnson)
I don’t know…every time I question if Tepper could really be that stupid, he does something even stupider.
Maybe he’ll come out on the other side, a la Dumb and Dumber. “Just when I thought you couldn’t get any dumber, you go and do something like this…. and TOTALLY REDEEM YOURSELF!!!”
The Panthers desperately overpaid Chicago for the top pick. There isn’t a “franchise” QB in this draft. Next year maybe(probably) but of course, Chicago has their 1st next year.
It makes no sense that teams should take a pass on QB prospects that don’t have that “franchise” label. Most coaching staffs have half a dozen guys who were hired to assist in the development of QBs. Shouldn’t they be earning their paycheck instead of just giving up on prospects after one season?
As soon as LaCanfora name is mentioned don’t pay attention
I really don’t get the Richardson hype. He was terrible throwing the ball and his running numbers aren’t amazing either it’s purely because he had a good combine everyone loves him.
Numbers wise he looks like a 5th round pick
He really didn’t even have a good combine. Yes, individual measurables for the events least relevant to playing QB he excelled, but he made some truly awful throws to his receivers in those drills… against no coverage, no pressure, and no reads. He shouldn’t even be in the discussions of the first round but that’s how wildly out-of-whack the QB position’s value and importance is to the modern NFL.
Panthers selecting Stroud at #1. Richardson is similar to Justin Fields but not as polished, will take similar years as Fields to improve.
Young will be Texans QB and will be the best passer of the group, but nobody here makes a pro bowl the first five years.
Richardson is 90% bust 10% mahomes. Wish him all the success in the work but be realistic. Can’t take that gamble at 1.
I’m a kentucky fan and don’t know what to make of Levis. I feel like 60% bust 20% josh Allen 20% Sam darnold.
At #1 I want elite traits so young is out for me on the height. Sorry man.
Default to stroud. He looks awesome at times, definitely the safe bet. I don’t see a burrow or mahomes but I could easily see a Justin Herbert. Lots of yards and points, but not sure about a winner in the playoffs.