The 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, Missouri is more than a month away. There are bound to be selections in the first round that no one expected. The Carolina Panthers have traded up from the 9th pick overall with the Chicago Bears to receive the first pick overall.
Let’s take a look at five prospects that the Panthers could select with the first pick in the draft.
Carolina Panthers option no. 5: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The most likely player selected first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft is Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. Despite Young not participating in the NFL Combine his stock is still sky-high. Young’s measurements of 5’10 204 pounds may scare off some interested teams but are likely not enough for Young to fall out of the top 2 picks.
The popular theory is that the Alabama quarterback, who threw for 32 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 2022, would be the first pick overall. Now with the Carolina Panthers taking the first pick overall, it could be a number of quarterbacks (or other prospects).
Young is an efficient and accurate quarterback, a leader, and will very likely be a winner in the NFL. NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay has frequently compared Young to current Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. It doesn’t get much better than having yourself compared to a two-time Super Bowl Champion and MVP.
There are a number of options for the Carolina Panthers to select on Thursday night next month but it would not be a surprise to see Young get the first call.
Carolina Panthers option no. 4: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
CJ Stroud is a compelling selection, to say the least. Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich has a trend of favoring bigger pocket passers and CJ Stroud could fit the mold. Stroud threw for an impressive 41 touchdowns with 6 interceptions and a 66.3% completion rate.
Stroud tends to favor the pocket utilizing his strong arm and accurate passing ability. NFL teams scouting Stroud believe he is an athlete and will be encouraged to use his athleticism to extend plays. Stroud has never been a true “mobile” or dual-threat quarterback but despite not having blazing speed he has the capacity to be more of a double threat.
The Panthers may be put off by Bryce Young’s diminutive nature and elect to take the OSU quarterback who stands at 6’3 and 218 pounds. Stroud could be an absolute menace in the passing game in the NFL. If he can fall back on his natural athleticism to increase his effectiveness on the field he could easily be worth the first pick overall.
Carolina Panthers option no. 3: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
If Frank Reich was still with the Indianapolis Colts many believe that Will Levis would be the selection. Reich is now the leader of the Carolina Panthers and there is a very real chance that the “Reich-Levis” prediction could become a reality. NFL Analyst and Draft guru Mel Kiper consistently advocates for the 6’3 235 pounder as the #1 quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Levis is big, strong, has a rocket for an arm, and has made many spectacular plays with fewer weapons than most quarterbacks on the higher-echelon college teams. Levis may not be as accurate as Young or Stroud but if he can improve on reading defenses and some of his mechanics Levis could be an excellent quarterback.
Levis has been compared to Buffalo Bills Josh Allen. That may be more than enough of an enticing comparison to lead Frank Reich to put Levis on his card for the first-round pick.
Carolina Panthers option no. 2: Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
Jalen Carter is perhaps the best player in the NFL Draft. Not the best defensive tackle, or the best defensive player, but the best PLAYER in the draft. Despite Carter’s recent legal issues in Georgia, he will still be selected in the first round of the draft.
Would the Panthers have to trade up to #1 to select Carter? Likely not. Carter may slide in the draft due to his arrest. It is not uncommon to see teams become enamored with a specific player to the point where they will sacrifice a sufficient amount of capital to select that player.
Carter could be the piece Frank Reich and owner David Tepper need to add to their defense to take it to an elite level. Carter was an absolute wrecking ball as a Georgia Bulldog constantly disrupting plays, pressuring the quarterback, and commanding double teams by the offensive line in order to slow him down.
If the legal issues can be resolved Jalen Carter will be a dominant force in the NFL. If Frank Reich is so enamored he may be taking Carter first overall to ensure he does it in a teal uniform.
Carolina Panthers option no. 1: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
While Jalen Carter would be an exciting play it would be the thrill of the 2023 NFL Draft if the Panthers selected the most dynamic player available; UOF’s Anthony Richardson.
Richardson absolutely won the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine putting on a remarkable performance. Richardson showed off his superior athletic ability in the 40-yard dash (4.43) and the vertical leap (40 1/2). Richardson captured everyone’s attention during the on-field workouts as well as completing a multitude of passes and the depth of his throwing ability.
Richardson’s on-field workout also reminded others of his Florida tape; flashy, and exciting, but not always the most accurate or efficient. Richardson is a raw prospect that will require excellent coaching, although he has the highest ceiling of all the draft prospects. If Richardson’s skills could be finessed along with his athletic prowess he could be an elite quarterback. Frank Reich has a track record of mentoring quarterbacks. Reich grooming Richardson to be the Panthers quarterback of the future with the first pick overall could be life-altering for the Carolina franchise.
Panthers owner David Tepper wants to win and placing Richardson in the right situation in Carolina could lead them to a winning tradition.