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

*Mock trade with Detroit Lions (No. 6)

If the Lions don’t value the remaining quarterback prospects as potential successors to Jared Goff, don’t be surprised if they’re willing to move down here. The Panthers might be willing to jump ahead of the Raiders (giving up one of their two second-rounders) for the quarterback of their choice, and if they’re willing to look past his inconsistency and lack of progression last year, Levis has intriguing physical tools.

New Panthers head coach Frank Reich and offensive coordinator Thomas Brown have a clean slate at quarterback, which might remind Reich of his undefined time with the position during his time with the Colts. Maybe it’s a good idea to have a veteran stopgap at the position while developing a rookie with amazing traits, and Richardson would certainly qualify. At 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds, he’s built like a linebacker, runs like a safety, and he has the kind of arm most quarterbacks can only envy. Richardson also showed a lot of development over his first season as a starter for the Gators — under Reich and his staff, you could expect that to continue.

Richardson will not be ready to start right away after just 13 college starts and with some rawness to his game, but his potential is off the charts. He has the arm. He has the rushing ability. And he has the 6-foot-4, 232-pound frame. Scouts are fascinated by his upside. It’d just come down to whether the Panthers believe they can fix his accuracy woes and develop his game to capitalize on those physical traits. Maybe they fall in love with another QB and try to move up, but if not, don’t be surprised if they’re the ones to reach for Richardson (my No. 36 prospect).

For this mock, I’m assuming the Panthers don’t trade up to land a quarterback and instead go the veteran route at the position. Skoronski can slide inside to play guard in Carolina, teaming up with Ikem Ekwonu to give the Panthers two building blocks for the offensive line. New head coach Frank Reich knows the impact of investing heavily in the line of scrimmage, having spent time on the Eagles’ staff before he left for Indianapolis.

*Mock trade with Detroit Lions (No. 6)

After the Raiders somewhat surprisingly traded up for Anthony Richardson, three of the top four quarterbacks were off the board. The good news for the Panthers: The one who was left is the guy they like. Rather than risk having another team jump ahead of them for Will Levis, the Panthers moved up three spots by giving up just a third-round pick, which was part of the Christian McCaffrey trade. Stroud and Young put up bigger numbers, and Richardson might have a higher ceiling. But the 6-4, 230-pound Levis looks the part, has a big arm and has a Josh Allen-type vibe. The Panthers had a top-10 pick three years in a row that they used on someone other than a QB. It was time.

*Mock trade with Seattle Seahawks (No. 5)

I can’t get away from this trade. It’s too perfect. The Seahawks slide back with Carter and Anderson off the board, and the Panthers don’t have to trade an arm and a leg to get Levis.

The Panthers and new coach Frank Reich decide to draft and develop Anthony Richardson. Richardson is a talented, young passer from Florida. He is a project but has a high ceiling.

Many people believe that the Panthers will go quarterback here, but they are in a position where they have to give up a lot of picks to move up. I think they decide not to do it and add a veteran and wait until the 2024 class. Myles Murphy will complement Brian Burns perfectly and give the Panthers a dynamic one-two punch at the edge position.