Tracking 2023’s latest 1st-round projections for the Panthers

Since our last mock draft, the tide—ironically enough—has turned away from Bryce Young and towards Stroud.The Ohio State University star has become the odds-on favorite since Carolina acquired the No. 1 overall selection from the Chicago Bears two weeks ago—and for good reason. In what appears to be a three-horse race for the top pick, Stroud is seemingly the safest investment when also considering Young and Anthony Richardson. The 6-foot-3, 213-pound passer chucks the prettiest ball of the bunch, knows how to throw his targets open and walked away from Columbus with an elite level of production in his two years as a starter. He also left his pro day having made quite an impression on the Panthers, who sent a whopping 14 representatives to the event.

The Panthers will do their homework on this year’s top quarterback prospects over the next month, but I believe Young is the best of the bunch and will emerge as their target.

I’m leaning toward Stroud based on what I’m hearing. He’s super accurate, has impressed everyone throughout the pre-draft process and is the ideal size profile of recent Frank Reich quarterbacks. He has the slight edge over Bryce Young based on fit. Carolina added veteran Andy Dalton to guide the rookie, but whoever this quarterback ends up being needs more playmakers around him. Without Moore, its No. 1 receiver now becomes Adam Thielen, who was signed to a deal this week. Laviska Shenault Jr., Terrace Marshall Jr. and running back Miles Sanders are on the roster, but this group is among the league’s worst. Thanks to the Christian McCaffrey trade, the Panthers had extra selections — they still have second- and third-rounders to add players — but this is not likely to be a team that challenges for a playoff spot in 2023.

It’s an important week for the Panthers’ decision-makers, with the pro days of C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young and Will Levis on consecutive days, beginning Wednesday in Columbus. (Anthony Richardson’s is March 30.) The Panthers are comfortable with a couple of the top four quarterbacks, as The Athletic has reported. That would suggest Stroud and Young.

But Frank Reich has a type when it comes to quarterbacks, all of whom have been 6-foot-2 or taller (the majority have been 6-4 and up). Reich also values accuracy. That combination points to the 6-3, 214-pound Stroud, who has impressed with his ball placement and throwing mechanics. The one knock on Stroud was his unwillingness to make plays with his feet. Then he showed off his athleticism in the College Football Playoff semifinal against a Georgia defense teeming with NFL prospects, and everyone took notice.

An offensive coordinator will have to do some things to scheme around Young’s height, but it’s a small price to pay for everything else he brings to the table.

He is the best passer in this class. But will the Panthers take a risk on picking a 5-10, 200-pound quarterback first overall? That’s a tough thing to do.

The Panthers’ coaches and front office have attended pro days for both Bryce Young and C.J . Stroud. But from connecting all of the dots, Stroud appears to be their guy. Stroud is the QB with the highest upside and would have a great support system around him with QB coach Josh McCown and Jim Caldwell on staff. Panthers fans get ready for the C.J. Stroud era in Carolina.

Stroud looks like a day-one starter for a Panthers team whose free agency moves point to a win-now mentality (particularly in their three-year deal for 32-year old receiver Adam Thielen). The Buckeyes star brings a scintillating combination of accuracy and poise, and should give Carolina a chance to compete in a weak NFC South.