Could The Panthers Pick C.J. Stroud Or Bryce Young In The 2023 NFL Draft?

Earlier this offseason, the Carolina Panthers acquire the No. 1 overall pick from the Chicago Bears. Moving up to the top spot cost the Panthers a pretty penny.

In exchange for the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Panthers sent the No. 9 and No. 61 overall picks in this year’s draft, a 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 second-round pick, and star wide receiver DJ Moore. Carolina has struggled to land their next franchise quarterback over the past several years.

Now that they have the first overall pick, which quarterback will the Panthers select? Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud are the top two options in the draft class.

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Could The Panthers Pick C.J. Stroud Or Bryce Young In The 2023 NFL Draft?

Carolina has done its homework on all four of the top quarterback prospects in the draft class. While Young and Stroud are the two frontrunners, the Panthers have also met with Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis.

However, the betting market has it as a two quarterback race for the first overall pick. When the Panthers made the trade a month ago, Stroud was the heavy favorite to be the team’s pick at -450. Yet, things have changed over the past month. Young is now the favorite to be the first overall pick at -270, while Stroud is down to +200.

One of those two quarterbacks will likely be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, has Carolina closed the door on the other two quarterbacks?

Could The Panthers Pick Anthony Richardson In The 2023 NFL Draft?

Reportedly owner David Tepper wants the team to select Young. It’s his team, so no one should be surprised if the former Alabama star is the pick. However, head coach Frank Reich reportedly wants Richardson to be a Panther.

Reich loves the former Gator’s upside and what he can bring to the team in 2-3 years. Meanwhile, many others inside the organization are reportedly leaning toward Stroud.

Many will argue that Richardson shouldn’t play as a rookie. Instead, he should learn from the bench. The Panthers signed Andy Dalton this offseason. He is capable of starting this year while the rookie learns. While Young and Stroud are safer prospects, Richardson has the most upside of anyone in the draft class.

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