https://theathletic.com/4418741/2023/04/17/panthers-nfl-draft-mailbag-bryce-young/ How much of the Bryce Young hype is posturing for a trade? There was so much reporting right after the trade up that they like two QBs, is that still the case or would you consider Bryce the clear leader at this point? — Patrick O. The reporting that followed the Bears’ trade that the Panthers were comfortable with two quarterbacks was legit. As The Athletic has detailed previously, Bears GM Ryan Poles was trying to pull off a pair of trades, switching places with Houston for the second pick, and then having the Panthers come up to 2 from 9. That means the Panthers were good with two of the four QBs, which Fitterer confirmed at the owners’ meetings when he told me the Panthers “were trying to get to 1 or 2, ideally 1.” That would seem to indicate the Panthers had an “ideal” target all along, and signs have pointed to Young being that guy. So why did Stroud generate the early buzz following the trade? Probably because of Reich’s well-documented history with big quarterbacks, which Young undeniably is not. Both Young and Stroud are outstanding quarterbacks. But even as far back as the fall when the Panthers started winning under Steve Wilks, I remember asking someone in the organization essentially, “Now what?” And this person mentioned offhandedly going all-in and trading up for Young. Most in league circles believed if there was a quarterback a team was going to trade up for, it was Young — if you could live with his size and durability concerns. It seems increasingly likely the Panthers can. Why does Richardson keep getting mentioned No. 1 overall? That’s absolutely mind-boggling. — Scott H. I bear some responsibility for adding at least a little steam to the Richardson hype train. Not because I reported the Panthers were considering him for No. 1, but because I wrote that the Florida quarterback was still under consideration by Carolina and made sense in a trade-back scenario. Not every aggregator recognized the nuance. So why would the Panthers trade away Moore and four high picks to get in position for an “ideal” quarterback just to trade the top pick and take a quarterback many consider a project? They probably wouldn’t … unless Houston was so smitten with Young that Nick Caserio offered Fitterer a chance to recoup some of the picks he traded to Chicago (plus more) be in a spot to draft Richardson, considered the QB with the lowest floor but the highest ceiling. Richardson has impressed throughout the pre-draft process — not just with his skill set, but with how he carries himself and processes information. As one general manager said of Richardson: “He’s had a great spring.” Poles’ plan to move from 1 to 2, then from 2 to 9, was dashed when the Texans wouldn’t commit to coming up to 1. So the Panthers likely will stay at 1 and take a quarterback other than Richardson. Do you think by next Thursday the team will want the fans to know who it’s going to be? Like once the team has finalized its decision do you think that will be leaked prior to the Panthers officially being on the clock? — Brian E. That would be great, but I don’t see it happening. Roger Goodell and others in the league office don’t want teams — or the league-owned NFL Network — to let the cat out of the bag and spoil the suspense surrounding the first night of the draft. So while I’m certain Fitterer will be asked who the pick is this week at the Panthers’ pre-draft press conference, there’s no way he’s going to give it up. A couple of scenarios where it might benefit the Panthers to leak the pick would be to prepare their fans for a quarterback who either hasn’t been talked about much (Levis) or might be coolly received (also Levis and possibly Richardson). But what typically happens is media members couch their reporting with qualifiers such as (scrolls up about six paragraphs) “increasingly likely.”
All I can tell you is the Texans are predicted to win 5.5 games by Vegas which would give them a top 2 pick.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2023/...tches-comparisons-top-quarterbacks-playmakers Will Anderson Jr. to Von Miller It's rare that we can compare a prospect to a future Hall of Famer, but I think this edge rush pairing fits. Anderson (Alabama) is 6-foot-4 and 253 pounds with a stunning first step, powerhouse hands and an awesome motor. And when Miller was coming out of Texas A&M, he measured at 6-foot-3, 246 pounds and wowed scouts in space with his speed. Anderson -- my No. 1 overall prospect -- has the same traits to be a league-leading sack artist. -- Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst Will Levis to Matthew Stafford The arm strength, the build, the gunslinger mentality -- I see a lot of Stafford in Levis, my second-ranked quarterback in this class. Stafford threw 33 picks in three seasons at Georgia, often because he tried to squeeze passes into tight windows. He and Levis (Kentucky) both can make rare throws, but that also leads them into mistakes. -- Mel Kiper Jr., NFL draft analyst Anthony Richardson to Josh Allen It's the upper-tier physical tools and playmaking traits at the QB position that stand out for me. Just like we saw when Allen was coming out of Wyoming, Richardson (Florida) has a powerful frame and outstanding arm strength, with the ability to produce on designed rushes and scrambles. -- Matt Bowen, NFL analyst Bijan Robinson to LaDainian Tomlinson -- Jordan Reid, NFL draft analyst Nolan Smith to Haason Reddick It's hard to find a comp this close. I see the same explosiveness, suddenness and closing speed on tape, and they both have this relentless, gritty mentality to their pass-rush toolboxes. Plus, they are essentially the same build. Smith (Georgia) is 6-foot-2, 238 pounds with 32 5/8-inch arms ... Reddick measured at 6-foot-1, 237 pounds with 32 3/4-inch arms at the 2017 combine. In the lead-up to Reddick's draft, there were questions about how his size would translate to the NFL and where he would play, but he has become a dominant pass-rusher at the next level. You'll hear similar questions around Smith, but I see a prospect who -- like Reddick -- will be able to make an impact in the NFL. -- Todd McShay, NFL draft analyst Bryce Young to Joe Burrow I see Young as a combo of Burrow and, in a cross-sport twist, Stephen Curry. The game around him seems slow down to how fast and sudden he moves within it. Young (Alabama) never panics with the football in big moments, and he's a true floor general at quarterback. -- Dan Orlovsky, NFL analyst Calijah Kancey to Grady Jarrett -- Marcus Spears, NFL analyst Devon Witherspoon to Jaire Alexander -- Turron Davenport, Titans reporter Christian Gonzalez to Nnamdi Asomugha -- Pete Thamel, college football reporter Cody Mauch to Ryan Jensen -- Steve Muench, NFL draft analyst Emmanuel Forbes to Samari Rolle -- Jeff Legwold, Broncos reporter Hendon Hooker to Dak Prescott Prescott has been a productive top-12 quarterback in the NFL despite not having one real dominant trait. And I think Hooker (Tennessee) will have a very similar career. He has really good size at 6-foot-3, 217 pounds, arm strength and accuracy. While other quarterbacks in this class will get more hype, Hooker could ultimately be a 10-year starter in the NFL. -- Mike Tannenbaum, NFL analyst John Michael Schmitz to Alex Mack Like Mack, Schmitz profiles as a pure center in the NFL. He has a combination of physical and cerebral traits to anchor an offensive line for a decade that is akin to Mack's toolbox. Mack thrived for many years under coach Kyle Shanahan in a zone-scheme offense, and I think Schmitz (Minnesota) could also have a lot of success in a similar scheme. -- Field Yates, NFL analyst Jordan Addison to Tyler Lockett They have similar builds -- Addison is 5-foot-11, 173 pounds, while Lockett measured 5-foot-10, 182 in 2015 -- and both rely on their speed, footwork, crisp route running and excellent ball skills to produce at a high level. And like Lockett, Addison (USC) is a reliable target who also can stretch defenses and gain valuable yards after the catch. -- Adam Rittenberg, college football reporter Dalton Kincaid to Mark Andrews Kincaid (Utah) reminds me of Andrews in the way he can get upfield and contort his body to make contested catches. Neither would be categorized as a blazer on a track, but they are both plenty fast in the open field. Kincaid is smooth running routes and making things happen, much like Andrews. -- Jeremy Fowler, NFL reporter
All I can tell you is the Texans are predicted to win 5.5 games by Vegas which would give them a top 2 pick. Depends on how much you believe in outliers at the QB position.
I wouldn't draft Anthony Richardson in the first round. Guy's top tier is probably Colin Kaepernick. This is not good......Doesn't progress through reads, misses open throws, misses open routes due to keying on one read. There are levels to QB'ing. Draft AR if you want Caleb Williams next year. You will not win many games with a guy who doesn't understand how to QB.
Logical. It was only a few short weeks ago most pundits had us taking Stroud - it's still a very high possibility especially when you look at the value of the QB position.
If Carolina takes Young trade back to 5/6 pick up a first next year and take one of Anderson, Wilson or Carter. Then trade down from 12 to closer to the bottom of the first and pick up another second. Take Hooker, one of the TEs, and a C like Schmitz. Those 4 guys and three firsts next year to get your QB would be a success.
We've been through this "have a great defense and hope the QB plays well" thing before. Hasn't worked when it needed to (playoffs) for the Texans because the defense wasn't good enough to carry the O. And Flacco and Foles were really good on their way to those SB wins
Does anyone still believe that Bryce to the Panthers is still a smoke screen? I can only imagine the reaction at the draft day party.
