The Carolina Panthers hold the No. 9 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but there’s a good chance that general manager Scott Fitterer will look to move up for a new franchise quarterback.
Carolina’s trade for 2018 first overall pick Baker Mayfield didn’t pan out, and Sam Darnold’s inconsistent play over 2021 and 2022 certainly left a lot to be desired. It would be a major surprise if Carolina didn’t have a new starting quarterback by next season.
Of course, Fitterer may have to trade up to get one of the “big three” 2023 quarterback prospects in Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Kentucky’s Will Levis.
In his latest NFL mock draft, Josh Edwards of CBS Sports proposed a massive blockbuster move that would see Carolina move up to the No. 1 spot via a three-team trade with the Chicago Bears (holders of the top pick) and Arizona Cardinals (holders of the No. 4 selection). Edwards then has Carolina taking Young at first overall:
“Carolina traded up to No. 3 overall and then to No. 1 overall. It is a similar model that Philadelphia used to select Carson Wentz in 2016. Philadelphia sent players, including Kiko Alonso and the No. 13 overall selection to Miami in exchange for the No. 8 overall selection. Then, it flipped that to Cleveland for the No. 2 overall selection. With the No. 1 overall selection, the Panthers select Bryce Young.
The Panthers have had a revolving door at quarterback since the 2018 season, when injuries began to derail Cam Newton’s tenure with the organization. Newton’s last healthy season was 2017, so it’s been six years now since Carolina last had above-average quarterback play.
Last time Carolina took a quarterback first overall (Newton in 2011) it did wonders for the franchise. We’ll find out in three month’s time if they manage to come away with a new dynamic young quarterback to restore hope in the franchise.
