The Carolina Panthers made the biggest splash of the offseason, completing a trade with the Chicago Bears. They acquired the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft in exchange for the No. 9 and No. 61 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, a 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 second-round pick and wide receiver D.J. Moore.
That is certainly a steep price for Carolina to pay, but the first overall pick is a premium asset. It is fair to assume that the Panthers will be using that selection on a quarterback, filling what has been a huge void in their lineup for years.
Matt Rhule’s tenure as head coach with the team was marred by ineffective quarterback play. Frank Reich, who was hired to replace interim head coach Steve Wilks on a permanent basis, had the same issue during his time with the Indianapolis Colts.
On Tuesday, Reich was adamant that the Panthers are taking their time and going through the entire process to figure out who fits their needs best. Right now, Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis and Anthony Richardson are considered the top four options in this year’s class.
“Just going through the process and knowing how important it is to be patient,” Reich said. “You might see a throw, or you might sit down with a guy and you say, ‘I love this guy. This is it.’ But just finish the process. Be patient. You’ve got time. We don’t have to make this decision today. Stay true to the process.”
While Reich is playing coy and saying the right things, it would be hard to believe that the Panthers traded up to the No. 1 pick without an idea of which quarterback they wanted. They have been scouting these players for months and while their thoughts could change, there is almost certainly an idea of which they want to select.
According to ESPN NFL insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, the impression they have gotten from the 2023 NFL annual meeting in Phoenix is that Stroud will be their guy. A poll of sources believes that the Ohio State product will hear his name called first on April 27th in Kansas City.
Things can certainly change with a little less than a month until the pick is made, but for now, Stroud looks to have the upper leg. He fits the mold of the kind of quarterback that Reich wants to work with and his performance against Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinal turned a lot of heads.
