The Panthers have a massive decision to make in roughly a month from now. They’ll be choosing their franchise quarterback with the No. 1 pick in the draft.
Over the past month, the Panthers have held conversations with Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis.
Although the team continues to keep its cards close to the vest, ESPN’s David Newton is reporting that Carolina is choosing between Stroud and Young.
“But he offered nuggets inside the evaluation process that revealed more about what he and general manager Scott Fitterer will do when they sit down in about two weeks and nail down their choice between Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud,” Newton wrote.
Could Young be the pick? Height not top concern for Panthers in Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud draft debate – via @ESPN App https://t.co/gtsGfyuytO
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) March 29, 2023
Panthers head coach Frank Reich recently discussed the concerns regarding Young’s stature. He believes it’s all about minimizing the amount of hits he takes during a game.
“But since you’re asking about Bryce, he’s good at being instinctive in the pocket and minimizing [hits],’’ Reich said, via ESPN. “If you’re a quarterback, can you minimize the number of big hits and the intensity of those hits? They’re all going to get hit. We know that. But there’s a way to minimize those hits. Being instinctive.’’
As for the Panthers’ interest in Stroud, it’s pretty evident that he made an immediate connection with quarterbacks coach Josh McCown.
The Panthers have plenty of factors to consider before locking in their pick for the 2023 NFL Draft.