SPARTANSBURG, SC – Thanks to their blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears before the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers are now on the clock. Could CJ Stroud be the player they take on draft night?
A two-time Heisman Trophy candidate at Ohio State, the California-born Stroud completed 69.3 percent of his passes for 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Despite coming up short against eventual two-time national champion Georgia, Stroud threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns, while showing the ability to be mobile when necessary, along with an already tailor-made arm and touch that scouts love.
It was at the recent combine that Stroud separated himself from the likes of fellow SoCal rival and 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, Will Levis and Anthony Ricardson during his throwing motions session, where he showed the accuracy, arm strength and anticipation needed at the next level.
According to Joe Person of The Athletic, it appears that Stroud to Carolina is all but a done deal,
“The party line from the team will be that [Frank] Reich and general manager Scott Fitterer will use the next seven weeks to evaluate which of the big four quarterbacks they want: C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Will Levis or Anthony Richardson.
But league insiders believe it will be Stroud, who’s bigger than Young, more accurate than Richardson and more of a playmaker than Levis. Stroud put on a show of precision passing at the combine last week, and proved against Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinals that he’s not afraid to leave the pocket when necessary.
The Panthers passed on another Ohio State quarterback two years ago, taking Jaycee Horn at No. 8 when Fields was available.”
Based on Person’s reporting, this lines up with the media report that Carolina’s front office is split on Stroud and Ricardson. While this may seem like a smokescreen before the draft, Person also mentioned that the Panthers passed on one Buckeye QB in current Chicago Bears QB1, Justin Fields, and don’t seem to make the same mistake twice.
Personally, if I’m the brass of the Panthers, my pick is Stroud based on his overall track record and game tape. And playing in a division that has Kyle Trask, Derek Carr and Desmond Ridder under center, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Carolina would have the best QB in a very weak and winnable division.
We will all have to wait and see what the Panthers decide between now and April, but barring any foreseen changes, expect to hear CJ Stroud’s name heard first on draft night.