The Carolina Panthers traded up to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to select their franchise quarterback. But Carolina has to be careful not to hurt its new quarterback by playing him before he is ready, or before there are the pieces around to support him. The signing of steady veteran Andy Dalton gives the Panthers the luxury of waiting for the right moment to send whomever they select out to the field.
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young has long been considered as potentially the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Before his pro day on Thursday, Young met with the Carolina Panthers, who hold the No. 1 pick, and one team slightly down the board — the Las Vegas Raiders, NFL Media reported.
The Crimson Tide’s pro day will air at noon ET on SEC Network and NFL Network. Young (scouting report) will throw in front of scouts and NFL decision-makers for the first time during the pre-draft process since he skipped throwing drills at the NFL Combine last month.
Young was the only top-four quarterback not to throw at the combine, as C.J. Stroud (scouting report), Anthony Richardson (scouting report) and Will Levis (scouting report) all participated.
Young meeting with the Panthers makes sense given they traded up for the No. 1 overall pick to select a franchise quarterback, and at a news conference on Monday general manager Scott Fitterer said the team is keeping all its options open. Carolina also attended Stroud’s pro day on Wednesday.
The Raiders might come as more of a surprise since they signed Jimmy Garoppolo to a three-year, $67.5 million deal this offseason. Still, the Raiders have the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft and will want to be prepared in case Young slips outside the top-five picks.
>> READ: Can Young Transcend Size Concerns?
Young isn’t the only prominent name that will work out on Thursday in Tuscaloosa. Edge Will Anderson (scouting report), safety Brian Branch (scouting report), running back Jahmyr Gibbs (scouting report), offensive tackle Tyler Steen (scouting report) and cornerback Eli Ricks (scouting report) are other prominent players expected to participate in the showcase.
The Carolina Panthers made an aggressive move to trade up for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to acquire a franchise quarterback. Now, they’ve started interviewing potential targets.
The Panthers met with quarterback C.J. Stroud (scouting report) on Tuesday in advance of Ohio State’s pro day on Wednesday and will meet with him again before the draft, NFL Media reported. Ohio State’s pro day begins at 11 a.m. ET, with NFL Network’s live event coverage slated to start around 2 p.m. ET.
Stroud is expected to participate in throwing drills and complete some athletic tests he didn’t do at the 2023 NFL Combine. In Indianapolis, Stroud only participated in the throwing portion of the workout.
The Panthers are expected to bring as many as 11 team representatives to Columbus for the workout. Stroud is one of many high-end prospects who will perform on Wednesday. The showcase will include other potential early-round picks, Jaxon Smith-Njigba (scouting report), Paris Johnson (scouting report), Dawand Jones (scouting report) and Zach Harrison (scouting report).
>>READ: Stroud is a Future Franchise QB
In total, 14 former Ohio State players will work out on Wednesday — with one notable current Buckeye slated to pitch in. Highly touted wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is expected to catch passes for Stroud during the workout, giving teams an early look at one of the most sought-after prospects eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft.
The 21-year-old Stroud has been linked to the Panthers since the Chicago Bears dealt the top pick to Carolina. In a news conference on Monday, Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said the team was keeping all options open regarding the No. 1 overall pick.
The 33rd Team’s latest mock draft has the Panthers selecting the Ohio State product with the first pick. The Panthers traded two first-round selections, two second-round selections and wide receiver DJ Moore for the right to make the draft’s top choice.
The Carolina Panthers brought in an excellent insurance policy for whichever quarterback they draft first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Andy Dalton is a proven winner, but his presence raises the question of when the Panthers should hand over the keys to their top pick. Former NFL coach and coordinator Marty Mornhinweg cites a few examples the Panthers might want to emulate.
The Carolina Panthers signed free-agent wide receiver Adam Thielen to a three-year deal on Sunday. Jordan Vanek explains why the move doesn’t necessarily make Thielen a top fantasy football option but does make sense for the Panthers.
