Afrigather The Carolina Panthers—a few month into mock draft season—have been matched with quarterbacks, quarterbacks and . . . let’s see right here . . . oh, more quarterbacks. However can we get somewhat selection throughout the most recent set of projections?
Effectively . . .
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If the Panthers don’t remorse passing on Justin Fields, they positively ought to at this level. They’d be clever to not make the identical mistake twice, and although Richardson isn’t anyplace close to the extent of prospect Fields was popping out, he’s nonetheless obtained sky-high potential that would make him a famous person down the street.
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*Mock commerce with Seattle Seahawks (No. 5)
GM Scott Fitterer calls his outdated associates in Seattle to leap forward of different groups for Levis. He trades first-round picks this yr and subsequent, with Seattle sending again a Day 3 choose to even out the alternate. Levis’ bodily instruments and competitiveness are appreciated by scouts, and his inconsistency in footwork and shifting off main reads are obstacles that Carolina hopes he can overcome in a lot the identical means Josh Allen has with the Payments.
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It’s possible the Panthers will attempt to commerce as much as safe a quarterback, however on this mock draft, normal supervisor Scott Fitterer can maintain tight and save his draft capital with Stroud out there at No. 9. Re-signing Sam Darnold as a bridge quarterback and drafting Stroud to work with new coach Frank Reich is a great team-building transfer. The Ohio State quarterback has superior accuracy to all ranges of the sphere and confirmed within the Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinals towards Georgia what he can do as a runner and mover within the pocket.
Stroud’s 85 landing passes to 12 interceptions over his school profession is spectacular, and he completed second in QBR in 2022 (88.9). And though Stroud may want time to regulate to an NFL scheme, he has the passing capacity to change into the franchise quarterback this workforce so badly wants.
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Calling Stroud a comfort prize right here could be doing a disservice to how good of a prospect he’s. He’s an correct and environment friendly pocket passer who’s great at avoiding sacks. He earned total grades of 92.2 and 88.9 previously two seasons.
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*Mock commerce with Arizona Cardinals (No. 3)
With the primary quarterback off the board and a number of groups forward of them determined to search out their franchise man, the Panthers open the Frank Reich period with a splash, buying and selling up and taking a serious swing on the largest lottery ticket within the draft.
Anthony Richardson’s tape doesn’t make him the cleanest QB prospect to guage, however he’s extra polished than his repute lets on. His footwork and really feel within the pocket point out consolation in chaos, which is spectacular given how simple it will be for him to tuck and run on the first signal of bother. He has some off-target throws however not as many terrible choices, and his dynamic capacity to create offense would give Carolina the juice to ascertain a brand new offensive identification.
The Knoxville Information-Sentinel
Anthony Richardson is likely one of the most enjoyable prospects on this class. The issue: he’s brief on expertise, and whereas his bodily instruments are uncommon, the Panthers are in dire want of a beginning QB proper now. David Tepper might select to go the free company route (once more), however that has been, let’s say, a crapshoot. On the finish of the day, Carolina might have to maneuver inside the highest 5 if it desires to get a quarterback with Day 1 starter potential.
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Panthers followers are both going to like or hate this choose, however the reality of the matter is that it is a choose the workforce has to make. Much like the Colts, the Panthers have tried to deal with their QB place by veteran free brokers and trades and all of them have failed. It’s time to take a swing on a younger quarterback within the draft and there’s no greater swing than Anthony Richardson. Richardson is by far essentially the most physically-gifted quarterback on this class, showcasing uncommon athleticism and an enormous arm. He hasn’t performed a ton of soccer and desires some improvement, however his upside is larger than another quarterback by a very good margin.
