REPORT: Panthers Scheduled Meeting With Top QB Prospect Ahead Of Pro Day Suggests They May Have A Favorite For The First-Overall Pick

The Carolina Panthers just may have found their QB of the future based on their latest move.

The Carolina Panthers are being very thorough in their evaluation of quarterback C.J. Stroud ahead of the 2023 NFL draft.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that members of the Panthers will have a private meeting with Sroud in Charlotte at some point before the draft.

The #Panthers met with Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud on Tuesday in advance of today’s pro day throwing session and plan to have another private meeting with Stroud before the draft in Charlotte, per sources. A thorough process as Carolina ponders the No. 1 pick. pic.twitter.com/2f9iU4b2hq

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 22, 2023

Top-ranked WR prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba is dining with New York #Giants HC Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen the night before Ohio State Pro Day, per @APGroover.

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— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 22, 2023

Albert Breer of NBC Sports Boston further added that the Panthers have sent a large number of people, including owners David and Nicole Tepper, to Columbus to watch Ohio State’s pro day on Wednesday.

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Going to @OhioStateFB Pro Day from the @Panthers.

• Owners David & Nicole Tepper
• GM Scott Fitterer
• HC Frank Reich
• AGM Dan Morgan
• VP Samir Suleiman
• OC Thomas Brown
• QBs coach Josh McCown
• Sr ass't Jim Caldwell
• Scouting dir. Cole Spencer
• Scout Joel Patten

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 21, 2023

Reports stated that the Panthers have already decided on Stroud as soon as they made the trade for the No. 1 overall draft pick with the Chicago Bears. The Athletic’s Joseph Person reported earlier this month that league insiders “believe” the Panthers prefer the Ohio State standout over Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis in this year’s quarterback class.

If it is Stround the Panthers want, the Panthers paid a steep price to acquire the No. 1 overall pick by sending the No. 9 pick and a second-round pick in 2023, a 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 second-round pick, and DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears.

This certainly indicates the Panthers believe in one of the many QBs that will be available to them.