Panthers reportedly considering one QB over Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud

It appears the Carolina Panthers aren't deciding between just Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young and Ohio State Buckeyes signal-caller C.J. Stroud ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. 

According to Joseph Person of The Athletic, "a source with knowledge of the situation" said that Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson "remains under consideration by the Panthers" regarding the first-overall pick of the draft which gets underway on April 27. 

Richardson completed just 53.8% of his passes during his final season with Florida but left some scouts, analysts and executives drooling following his impressive showing at the combine. He measured 6-foot-4 and weighed in at 244 pounds but nevertheless ran a 4.43 40-yard dash. 

According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, Richardson also posted position records in the vertical and broad jump before he "effortlessly threw the ball 50 yards down the field" in Indianapolis. 

It was reported last week that "Young is the pick" for the Panthers at No. 1 despite understandable concerns about his size. He measured in at 5-foot-10 1/8 at the combine and likely walks around under the 204 pounds he reached that day. 

As of early Friday afternoon, Oddschecker had Young listed as an overwhelming betting favorite to be the first-overall pick at -225, followed by Stroud at +350. In a mock draft published Tuesday, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. had the Panthers going with Young and the Tennessee Titans trading up to pick No. 3 to grab Richardson. 

"The 6-4 Richardson might have the highest ceiling of any prospect in this class," Kiper explained. 

Kiper added that Richardson ideally would sit behind veteran Ryan Tannehill for an entire season to learn about life in the NFL from the sidelines. 

As of Friday, five of six CBS Sports analysts predicted in their latest mocks that the Panthers will take Young. Pete Prisco is forecasting that Carolina will go with Stroud over both Young and Richardson.