Carolina Panthers News & Rumors

DL Notes: Reed, Donald, Colts, Steelers, Cards, Jags, Jets, Bucs, Panthers, Texans

April 19th, 2023 at 4:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jarran Reed‘s initial Seahawks tenure ended strangely, with the team’s attempt at a restructure leading to a communication breakdown that ended with the defensive tackle’s release. After Reed sought a Seahawks extension during the offseason in which the COVID-19 pandemic led to a salary cap reduction, he ended up signing a one-year deal with the Chiefs. That preceded a 2022 Packers pact. Reed is now back in Seattle, having signed a two-year, $9MM deal.

The veteran D-lineman said, via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta, neither side wanted to part ways in 2021 and that he remained interested in a potential return while away. The Seahawks called Reed early in free agency, and the sides agreed to terms on what is a less lucrative contract compared to the one the team removed from its payroll two years ago (two years, $23MM). Reed, 30, will join Dre’Mont Jones as Seattle D-tackle additions.

Here is the latest from the D-line scene:

The Cardinals met with Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith on Wednesday, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), squeezing in a final visit before the deadline. They also recently brought in Texas Tech edge Tyree Wilson, Albert Breer of SI.com notes, adding the Jaguars also met with the former Big 12 dynamo for a late visit (Twitter link). The Cardinals hold the No. 3 overall pick. While Arizona has dangled it in trades, the team not receiving a viable offer opens the door to a best-defender-available pick. Wilson would qualify as an option at 3, though Smith — No. 17 on ESPN’s big board; No. 18 on Daniel Jeremiah’s — would seemingly enter Arizona’s equation after a trade-down maneuver.
BJ Ojulari resides as a possible option for a team late in the first round or in the early second, and a few teams brought in the LSU alum recently. The Jets, Buccaneers, Panthers and Texans met with Ojulari, Rapoport adds (on Twitter). The younger brother of Giants outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, BJ profiles as a speed rusher. He combined for 12.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons with the Tigers, declaring for the draft after his junior year. Azeez Ojulari went 50th overall in 2020.
Both the Colts and Steelers have met with Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee, per Rapoport and ESPN.com’s Brooke Pryor (Twitter links). Bresee is in Indianapolis today. A former top-five recruit, Bresee is not a candidate to go in the top five of this draft. But the multiyear Clemson starter joins Myles Murphy as Tiger D-linemen on the Round 1 radar. The Steelers came up regarding Bresee last month, and while the team recently re-signed Larry Ogunjobi, Cam Heyward is going into his age-34 season. The Colts, who added former first-rounder Taven Bryan in free agency, have DeForest Buckner signed for two more seasons.
Buckner recently revealed he played all of last season with a UCL tear in his left elbow. Indicating he’s “not a quarterback or a pitcher,” Buckner said (via the Indianapolis Star’s Joel Erickson) his injury will not require surgery. Buckner finished with eight sacks and a career-high 74 tackles in 2022. Although the Colts are at a crossroads after a wildly disappointing season, Erickson adds the team still views Buckner as a cornerstone. The former 49ers first-rounder is going into his age-29 season.
Aaron Donald saw an injury sideline him for the first time as a pro. A high ankle sprain led the Rams superstar out of action, and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic notes the all-time great underwent a tightrope procedure to repair the injury (Twitter link). This is not an uncommon procedure; Tony Pollard underwent the same surgery in January. Donald, 32 next month, has also returned to full strength, per Rodrigue. Two years remain on Donald’s record-setting contract.

Panthers Yet To Finalize No. 1 Overall Choice, Unconcerned With Bryce Young’s Height

April 18th, 2023 at 3:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bryce Young bets to go No. 1 overall are no longer particularly appealing, as odds currently indicate the Panthers taking someone else first overall would be a major surprise. Carolina GM Scott Fitterer attempted to slow down the Young-to-Charlotte train Tuesday.

The third-year Panthers GM said the team has not determined its choice atop the draft and made the interesting confession he has not asked Frank Reich for his opinion yet. Carolina does expect to finalize its decision this week, and while the team brought sizable staff contingents to pro days, Fitterer said (via the Associated Press’ Steve Reed) he and Reich will make the final call.

“The reason I didn’t want to ask [Reich] that question was I didn’t want to close off our minds to where we, like, made that decision back in March,” Fitterer said, via ESPN.com’s David Newton. “But we do see things the same way. We value the same traits, the same characteristics. There’s certain things we really want, and that’s where the clarity comes from.”

Although Reich took this job after seeing quarterback instability define his previous gig, the veteran HC is not expected to insist on one of this draft’s passers. The Panthers parted with several assets — including D.J. Moore and their 2024 first-round pick — to move up eight spots for the top pick. Fitterer said the team continues to discuss Anthony Richardson and Will Levis, who has joined Stroud on a pre-draft visit Tuesday, but Newton notes Young and C.J. Stroud were the two QBs the Panthers were targeting when they made the March deal with the Bears.

Midway through Carolina’s process, the team was still at a Stroud-or-Young decision. But the Alabama prospect has surged since. Concerns about Young’s height have kept Stroud in the mix, but Fitterer voiced a stance on this matter that will only strengthen the Panthers-Young ties.

“This doesn’t seem to be an issue,” Fitterer said of Young’s 5-foot-10 stature. “When you grow up a shorter quarterback, you learn how to evolve your game and adapt and see the field. He’s done that.”

Fitterer, who was in Seattle when the Seahawks gave Russell Wilson the QB1 reins ahead of his rookie season, said Young has added lower-body strength over the course of his Crimson Tide career. Young weighed 204 pounds at the Combine but did not hop on the scale during his pro day, injecting more frame-related questions. The Panthers appear to prefer Young add some bulk to his frame, but the undersized QB remains the favorite to be taken first overall.

Young canceled his remaining visits ahead of Wednesday’s deadline, and while Fitterer said that was unrelated to a potential Panthers pick, nothing has blunted the former Heisman winner’s momentum. Young is believed to have extensive support in the team’s building, and multiple reports indicated the Panthers have zeroed in on Mac Jones‘ Crimson Tide successor for weeks. The former Ohio State superstar is now uncertain to be picked second.

The Panthers have not received much interest in their No. 1 pick, and Fitterer said the team should be expected to stay where it is. Nothing the veteran exec said Tuesday should remove Young from his place as the favorite to end up in Charlotte.

TE Darnell Washington Visits Panthers, Cowboys

April 15th, 2023 at 9:32pm CST by Adam La Rose

This year’s tight end class is said to be far deeper and more talented than any of those in the recent past. Darnell Washington is one of several highly-touted prospects at the position, and has drawn interest from multiple teams in the pre-draft process.

The Georgia product recently met with the Panthers and Cowboys, as noted by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 and ESPN’s Todd Archer (Twitter links). Those teams are in far different situations with respect to their draft positioning, but they likely aren’t the only ones doing their homework on the uber-athletic pass catcher.

Washington spent three seasons with the Bulldogs, and the 2022 campaign was his most productive. He totaled 28 catches for 454 yards and a pair of touchdowns, all new career highs. Those numbers (along with his prowess as a run blocker) helped lead Georgia to another national championship, and confirmed his status as one of the top tight ends in this year’s class. He followed that up with an impressive showing at the Combine, during which he ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash.

The Panthers will use the top pick on a quarterback, the identity of which seems to be coming into focus as the first round approaches. Their next selection is No. 39, which would likely be in the range for Washington and most other seam-stretchers this year. Carolina has already made a big move at the TE spot this offseason, inking Hayden Hurst to a three-year, $21.75MM deal in free agency.

The Cowboys, on the other hand, have yet to make an addition on the open market. Longtime starter Dalton Schultz took a one-year pact with the Texans, despite Dallas reportedly having offered a significantly more lucrative extension. That leaves the latter team in need of a new No. 1 option at the position; while in-house candidates are in place, the Cowboys have frequently been connected to using a Day 1 or 2 selection on a tight end.

Dallas owns pick No. 26, which could be around the time the first tight ends start coming off the board. Washington faces competition from Michael Mayer and Dalton Kincaid in particular to be the first to hear their name called at the position, and several high-profile prospects will last into the second and third rounds. The Cowboys have the 58th and 90th selections, which will give them multiple chances to add a seam-stretcher, be it Washington or another prospect they take an extended look at.

WR Draft Rumors: Smith-Njigba, Flowers, Downs, Giants

April 14th, 2023 at 9:23pm CST by Ely Allen

We’ve recorded a number of visits for Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, one of the 2023 NFL Draft’s top wide receivers. So far, he’s visited (or reportedly made plans to visit) the Giants, Falcons, Ravens, Texans, Bills, and Cowboys. A new report, from Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, adds the Cardinals, Bears, Saints, and Panthers to that list.

Several NFL teams are looking past an injury-plagued final season at Ohio State and focusing on an outstanding sophomore season that saw Smith-Njigba vastly outperform last year’s first-round picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. In the 21-year-old’s strongest season, he led the team in receptions (95) and receiving yards (1,606) while reeling in nine touchdowns.

All four teams currently have some strong players in the receivers room, but Arizona could likely use the most help at the position with DeAndre Hopkins likely on his way out. The Saints currently roster Smith-Njigba’s former teammate, Olave, along with Michael Thomas and last year’s other rookie Rashid Shaheed. The Bears brought in D.J. Moore from Carolina and hope he will supplement Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool, who both had disappointing seasons in 2022. Carolina won’t miss Moore too much after bringing in Adam Thielen and DJ Chark to play with Terrace Marshall.

Smith-Njigba could potentially play an exclusive role in the slot as a pro, which would really open up the playing opportunities on the outside for the players mentioned above. Regardless, it’s become clear to see that Smith-Njigba has been a hot name in the weeks leading up to the draft.

Here are some rumors concerning other top wideouts in the upcoming draft:

Likewise to Smith-Njigba, Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers has already had a number of reported visits including the Patriots, Giants, Cowboys, Raiders, and Saints. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the 22-year-old will be adding the Bills to that list. Buffalo currently boasts a strong top-two in Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis, but with the departure of Isaiah McKenzie in free agency, they could use a strong WR3. At 5-foot-10, Flowers would be a perfect fit alongside Diggs and Davis, who excel on the outside.
In a strange sequence of events, North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs, who is expected to be a Day 2 draft pick, has reportedly not set up any official visits, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Over the past two years with Drake Maye at quarterback, Downs racked up 195 receptions for 2,364 yards and 19 touchdowns, leading the team in both categories both seasons. The lack of visits certainly doesn’t mean a lack of interest, but it likely won’t help convince teams to move him up their boards.
As for what teams may be interested in drafting these top prospects, we’ve heard the common teams like Baltimore, Green Bay, and Houston, but another team to watch is the Giants, according to Matt Miller of ESPN.com. Miller posits that, despite adding Parris Campbell and Jamison Crowder and re-signing Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard, the wide receiver position is still dominating conversations around New York. He links Big Blue to Flowers and USC wide receiver Jordan Addison, specifically. The Giants have been connected to just about every top wide receiver in this draft, and it will certainly be interesting to see if the Joe Schoen–Brian Daboll regime takes that route months after trading Kadarius Toney.

Panthers Bring Back WR Damiere Byrd

April 14th, 2023 at 1:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

After bouncing around the league over the past four years, Damiere Byrd will head back to where his NFL career began. The Panthers signed the veteran wide receiver Friday.

Byrd, 30, has been with five different teams over the past five years. But his most extended stretch with one NFL franchise came from 2015-18, when the former UDFA played for Carolina. While the Panthers have new decision-makers in place now, the Ron Rivera-era addition will return to compete for a spot on Frank Reich‘s team.

Byrd spent last season with the Falcons, with whom he averaged a career-high 20.6 yards per reception (13 catches, 268 yards). Prior to that, the 5-foot-9 pass catcher suited up for the Bears (2021), Patriots (2020) and Cardinals (2019). Byrd will follow Adam Thielen and DJ Chark as Panthers receiver additions this offseason.

Carolina moved on from Byrd by non-tendering him as a restricted free agent back in 2019. Byrd had not made much of an impact to that point in his career, catching just 12 passes over his first four years in the league. Byrd’s time away from the Panthers improved his receiving chops. He contributed as a tertiary target for each of his past four teams, with the most notable work coming in New England. Working with Cam Newton again, Byrd amassed a career-high 604 receiving yards for the 2020 Patriots. That production — and the 4.28-second 40-yard dash time Byrd clocked as a prospect — has undoubtedly contributed to other teams taking fliers on the South Carolina alum.

Although Byrd has undoubtedly picked up some contacts around the league during his journeyman phase, he has not worked with Reich, GM Scott Fitterer or any of Reich’s top offensive staffers. Byrd also has not played much special teams since leaving Carolina; the 175-pound pass catcher has not topped 10 ST snaps in any of the past four seasons. He did make cameos in kick- and punt-return roles in Carolina but not much in the years since.

The Panthers still figure to be on the radar for receiving help in the draft, but Byrd stands to compete for a roster spot over the next several months. Terrace Marshall, Laviska Shenault and Shi Smith also stand to factor into competition for supporting-cast gigs behind the two free agent acquisitions.

Panthers Not Receiving Calls On No. 1 Pick; Team Down To Two QBs?

April 13th, 2023 at 5:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

It would be unusual for a team to acquire the No. 1 overall pick and then trade out of that slot, but the Panthers did obtain this draft pick several weeks ago. And the team was believed to be comfortable with multiple options in this year’s draft.

But nothing is pointing to Carolina moving back again. The Panthers have not received calls on the No. 1 pick, per David Newton of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Sticking at No. 1 will affect the team’s quarterback search, which still may be a Bryce Young-or-C.J. Stroud call.

Anthony Richardson was on Carolina’s “30” visit schedule, and the Florida product’s athletic profile has generated extensive buzz during the pre-draft process. A report earlier Thursday indicated Richardson remains in the mix for the Panthers at 1. But a Richardson-at-1 plan does not appear to be universally viewed as realistic. The Panthers would likely only consider Richardson if they traded down, per Newton. Given the boom-or-bust strings attached to Richardson — a one-year Florida starter who completed less than 54% of his throws during that slate — it would be a massive risk to bet on the athletic prospect’s upside at No. 1.

Stroud is still scheduled to visit the Panthers on Tuesday, and ESPN’s Matt Miller said he joins Young in having “serious support” in Carolina’s building. But Young has overtaken the two-year Ohio State starter as the favorite. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. swapped the QBs on his most recent mock draft, sliding Stroud down to Houston at No. 2. The growing Panthers-Young connection should still be viewed as an indicator of where this process will end up, Newton adds (on Twitter).

Still, NFL execs, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, view Stroud as the clear-cut second-best QB in this year’s draft who brings prototypical size (6-foot-3) compared to the 5-10 Young. The two-year Crimson Tide starter graded as the polled execs’ most pro-ready passer available. Richardson and Will Levis, who will visit Carolina along with Stroud but is not believed to be in consideration for the Panthers, reside a tier below Young and Stroud here.

The Texans were deep in discussions about moving into the No. 1 slot, and the Bears were interested in a trade that would have seen them drop from 1 to 2 to 9. Houston backed out, but the Panthers and Texans’ involvement in those talks point to the NFC South team being open to multiple QBs and the AFC South franchise clearly preferring one. How the Texans proceed at No. 2 will become more interesting after the Panthers make their choice. It should be expected Carolina is closing in on a consensus, but with the NFL preferring to keep fans in suspense, the pick’s identity may not emerge until Roger Goodell reads the card.

Houston holds intriguing draft capital to move up, having two first- and third-round picks this year and two firsts in 2024, and Carolina did part with a lot to acquire this year’s top pick. Still, dealing such a package — one that included D.J. Moore — and then being fine with the second-best QB in this year’s draft would invite unnecessary risk into the retooled team’s draft. For teams interested in moving up, the Texans may entertain trade offers. The Cardinals are already doing so, with at least six teams having spoken with Arizona about the No. 3 choice.

Panthers To Host C.J. Stroud; Anthony Richardson Still In Mix At No. 1?

April 13th, 2023 at 1:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers will conclude their pre-draft quarterback visits next week. After meeting with Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson, the team will bring in C.J. Stroud, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Stroud’s visit will overlap with Will Levis‘ previously reported meeting; both QBs are coming to Charlotte on Tuesday. While Stroud is believed to have lost ground to Young to be the top pick, the Ohio State-developed passer is still believed to be in the mix. Richardson might be as well. The former Florida QB remains in consideration for Carolina at No. 1, Joseph Person of The Athletic adds (subscription required).

Richardson, who has consistently been mocked as a top-10 pick, only started one season for the Gators. But the 6-foot-4, 244-pound QB presents a Cam Newton-like athletic profile. Although Richardson completed just 53.8% of his passes last season, his potential ceiling has continued to intrigue teams. While some doubt about teams’ interest in Richardson as a top-three pick has emerged, the Panthers may not have closed the door on what would be a surprising choice at No. 1.

Young emerged last week as the likely Carolina choice at 1, with several Panthers staffers believed to be high on the former Heisman winner. The Panthers taking Richardson over Young or Stroud would qualify as one of the bigger upsets atop the draft in recent history. Then again, the Jaguars made a similar move last year by going with Travon Walker‘s potential over the safer pick in Aidan Hutchinson. Of course, the stakes are a bit higher when this decision involves quarterbacks.

Richardson’s 4.43-second 40-yard dash topped QBs at this year’s Combine, though some of the passers did not partake in the sprint, and his 40.5-inch vertical jump was far and away the best mark at the position. It would still be an upset for the Panthers to take Richardson over Young or Stroud, but the Gainesville native has submitted an interesting case — even if it teems with boom-or-bust potential. Young scored highest on the S2 test, measuring athletes’ information-processing capabilities and decision-making, among this year’s crop, Person adds, noting Panthers owner David Tepper views the test in high regard. Richardson also scored well.

In addition to this upcoming Charlotte trek, Stroud’s pre-draft itinerary has included meetings with the Texans, Colts, Lions and Raiders. Ohio State is soon set to see its past three starting QBs taken in the first round, with Stroud following Justin Fields and the late Dwayne Haskins. Stroud will almost definitely be picked well before either Fields (No. 11) or Haskins (No. 15) were in their respective drafts. While still in play to be the No. 1 pick, Stroud may not fall past the Texans at 2 — should the Panthers go with Young or Richardson at 1.

Stroud carried considerable momentum to be Carolina’s pick coming into last week, but even as the Young buzz has swayed the odds, the ex-Buckeye would be a safer bet compared to Richardson. Stroud finished his two-year run as a Big Ten starter with an 85-to-12 TD-INT ratio. His 6-3 frame would offer the Panthers a more conventional option compared to Young, whose 5-10 stature has created questions that have undercut the Alabama alum’s otherwise sterling profile. Neither Stroud nor Young provided much production on the ground in college, but each presents a decent athletic profile — though, neither is on the level of Richardson in this area.

Latest On Draft’s QBs: Young, Panthers, Texans, Hooker, Vikings, Richardson, Levis

April 12th, 2023 at 2:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

With each passing day, the reality of Bryce Young leading off the 2023 draft looks more likely. C.J. Stroud does not seem to be gaining momentum and looks set to be available when the Texans go on the clock at No. 2 overall. Although Stroud-to-Charlotte buzz emerged recently, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post notes the Panthers have been leaning in Young’s direction for weeks. They have not deviated from that plan, and SI.com’s Albert Breer adds Carolina sees special qualities in the 5-foot-10 passer.

Buzz regarding Frank Reich preferring the 6-3 Stroud has died down, with multiple reports last week indicating the Panthers — who hosted Young on Tuesday — are big fans of the 2021 Heisman winner. This will put the Texans to a decision; their previously reported Young meeting is on tap for today, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Here is the latest from this draft’s QB crop:

Teams continue to look into Hendon Hooker, who dazzled at Tennessee before tearing an ACL in November 2022. The Texans look to have gotten a head-start with the rehabbing passer, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson indicating the former Virginia Tech recruit trekked to Houston for a meeting not long after the Combine (Twitter link). Hooker would be an interesting option for the Texans if they take the unexpected route and pass on a QB at 2. While the Texans’ No. 12 overall pick would be a bit early for Hooker, who turned 25 earlier this year, they hold the No. 33 overall pick as well. Of course, the team might be in a bit of trouble at QB1 this season were it to take this highly unexpected path. Case Keenum and Davis Mills are Houston’s current QBs.
It should not be assumed Hooker will drop out of Round 1, however, given the annual demand at this rather important position. Rival executives are connecting Hooker to the Vikings, La Canfora adds. Minnesota would make for an interesting landing spot, having merely restructured Kirk Cousins‘ contract — after extending him in 2020 and 2022 — this offseason. Cousins going into a contract year will put the onus on new Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to find a successor, but Hooker would make for an unusual developmental candidate due to his age. The previous Vikes regime tried to trade up for Justin Fields two years ago. Hooker’s Lions, Buccaneers and Raiders visits are this week. Detroit’s second first-round pick (No. 18) and Tampa Bay’s only Round 1 choice (No. 19) check in ahead of Minnesota’s (No. 23).
Mel Kiper Jr.’s most recent mock draft calls for what would be a draft first: a QB-QB-QB-QB start. Part of that equation would require a team to trade into the Cardinals’ No. 3 draft slot. Arizona has received extensive interest in that pick, though some of the teams exploring a move up might be hoping Stroud falls to No. 3. A value gulf may well exist between this draft’s top two arms (Young and Stroud) and the next two options (Anthony Richardson and Will Levis), with Breer expressing doubt a team would trade to No. 3 for the Florida or Kentucky QBs. Kiper has the Titans moving up from No. 11 to No. 3 for Richardson, who displayed elite athleticism at the Combine but has just one season as a full-time starter. Similar to the Vikings’ Cousins situation, the Titans have Ryan Tannehill contracted for one more season. Trade rumors have emerged regarding the fifth-year Titan, and Ran Carthon‘s team has been connected to a trade-up.

Panthers Meet With CB Tre Flowers

April 11th, 2023 at 4:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although teams’ primary focuses are on the draft presently, a number of notable free agents remain on radars. The Panthers huddled up with one of them recently.

Tre Flowers met with Carolina brass, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). The five-year veteran cornerback spent the past two seasons with the Bengals but has a clear tie to the Panthers. Carolina GM Scott Fitterer‘s lengthy Seattle tenure overlapped with much of Flowers’ three-plus-season run in the Pacific Northwest.

Fitterer resided as one of John Schneider‘s right-hand men when the Seahawks drafted Flowers in the 2018 fifth round. Continually preferring to wait on corners and develop them, rather than pay up to keep non-Richard Sherman pieces at the position, the Seahawks have had continued success with Day 3 coverage investments. Sherman proved the exception regarding an extension, but the Hall of Fame candidate was also a Day 3 draftee. Flowers came in shortly after the Seahawks cut bait on Sherman’s second contract.

Now 27, Flowers has spent much of the past two seasons as a Cincinnati backup. Despite Chidobe Awuzie‘s injury, the Bengals did not use Flowers as a starter last season. The 6-foot-3 defender did play 171 defensive snaps, however, and has two seasons of starter experience. Flowers intercepted a pass last season — his first since a three-INT 2019 — but remained on the backup level during his one-year, $1.85MM deal.

The Seahawks gave Flowers 30 starts over his first two seasons, plugging him into their lineup immediately. The organization soured on Flowers in 2020, benching him before waiving him during the 2021 season. Fitterer was in Carolina when Seattle waived Flowers.

The Panthers have Jaycee Horn and Donte Jackson atop their corner group, and former top-10 pick C.J. Henderson remains on the roster as well. Henderson, whom Fitterer and Matt Rhule acquired in 2021, struggled last season. Both he and 2021 fifth-rounder Keith Taylor ranked outside the top 100 at the position, per Pro Football Focus, last season. The Falcons also brought in Flowers, who has worked as a boundary corner, for a visit earlier this offseason. But Atlanta has signed Mike Hughes and traded for Jeff Okudah, the latter move transpiring earlier Tuesday.

Draft Rumors: Young, Panthers, Stroud, Texans, Colts, Smith, Lions, WRs, Cardinals, Titans, Falcons, Johnston, Jaguars, Vikings

April 10th, 2023 at 8:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers have not locked onto Bryce Young just yet, but the pendulum continues to swing toward the Alabama prospect over C.J. Stroud. David and Nicole Tepper spent extensive time with Young’s parents at Alabama’s pro day last month, Albert Breer of SI.com notes, and Michael Lombardi said during his GM Shuffle podcast the Carolina owner met with Nick Saban in the Crimson Tide HC’s office during the pro day. This comes after reports last week began to stray from the Stroud-to-Charlotte narrative, one that formed largely because Young stands 5-foot-10 and plays under 200 pounds (despite his 204-pound Combine weight).

Carolina will meet with Young on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, with Breer adding Young has already impressed Frank Reich in previous settings. It will be interesting to see if more smoke emerges here, as the Panthers do not exactly have to keep this a secret given their updated draft position, or if Stroud remains in the mix. Many scouts and execs polled by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said Stroud’s 6-3, 214-pound frame make him safer and will help him become Carolina’s choice, though that poll still produced a slim advantage for Young to go No. 1 overall. Despite the Panthers meeting with Anthony Richardson and Will Levis, it certainly looks like Young or Stroud will be the pick.

Here is the latest from the draft scene:

The Colts discussed the No. 1 pick with the Bears before the Panthers won out, but Breer adds Indianapolis was not ready to do a deal before free agency. The team was still in the process of evaluating the QB prospects and was not prepared to part with significant capital to move up from No. 4 to No. 1. Houston also backed out, having been farther down the road in trade talks with Chicago. Bears GM Ryan Poles spoke of his team trading down twice — moving from 1 to 2 to 9, allowing the Texans and Panthers to climb up for QBs — but Breer notes Nick Caserio‘s team became uncomfortable with the deal later in the process.
Texans ownership is more involved in this year’s draft process, per Breer, who is less bullish on Houston selecting a quarterback compared to how this situation looked ahead of the Combine. The Texans’ negotiations with the Bears unmasked them as being willing to trade up for one particular quarterback, potentially pointing to the team being high on either Stroud or Young but not as sold on the other. Since the Panthers obtained the pick, the Texans have been connected to possibly punting on their QB need and taking Will Anderson Jr.. A trade-down scenario, per Breer, should also not be discounted.
Nolan Smith is gaining steam during the pre-draft process, with Fowler noting some scouts are pegging the edge rusher as a top-10 pick. The Lions (Nos. 6, 18) have done homework on the Georgia outside linebacker, per Fowler, and the Patriots (No. 14), Buccaneers (No. 19), Ravens (No. 22) and Jaguars (No. 24) have met with Smith. Scouts view the 238-pound defender as a better fit for a team in a 3-4 scheme, and the Steelers (No. 17) — long users of that base alignment — have emerged as a potential Smith floor.
More teams are bringing in TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston. Following a report that indicated the Ravens, Cowboys and Chiefs were hosting Johnston, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes the 6-foot-3 pass catcher will meet with the Cardinals, Falcons (No. 8), Vikings (No. 23) and Jaguars. Most of these visits will occur this week, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, who adds the Titans (No. 11) huddled up with the ex-Horned Frog on Monday (Twitter link). Barring a fall into Round 2 or the Cards moving down considerably from No. 3 overall, Johnston would not seem in their range. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Vikings selecting Johnston. This receiver class has generated mixed reviews, with NBC Sports’ Peter King adding teams have the higher-end wideouts in varying orders on their respective boards, but Johnston has consistently been mocked as a first-rounder.

Load More Posts