Which quarterbacks should the Carolina Panthers consider as legitimate candidates to take the organization forward in 2023?
It was another messy affair in Week 6 for the Carolina Panthers en route to yet another embarrassing loss. The Los Angeles Rams weren’t at their best by any stretch of the imagination, but serious, ongoing flaws resurfaced and drama enveloped the sidelines during a fifth defeat in six games to open the 2022 campaign.
This puts the Panthers in a real predicament. There is talk of trading away some top stars to better prepare for the future despite the obvious salary-cap complications that will emerge, with little in the way of draft picks to go off after a flurry of activity from influential figures within the organization.
One of the biggest problems throughout Matt Rhule’s era was an inability to find a solution at the most important position in football. Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield were decisions that didn’t pan out, so this is something Carolina has to solve in order to finally start making improvements long-term.
With that being said, here are four quarterbacks emerging as legitimate contenders for Carolina’s No. 1 job in 2023.
QB Contender No. 1
Carolina Panthers should consider Will Levis
There is a lot of work to do where Will Levis is concerned. However, the Kentucky prospect has the right intangibles to become a productive NFL starter if he develops in the right way upon entering the league.
Levis has the size, athleticism, and arm strength that teams always covet. Considering how raw Josh Allen was coming out of Wyoming and what he is now, this statement bears even more significance as teams look for their own franchise player under center.
The Carolina Panthers are likely going to have a top-five selection at worst if things carry on in a similar fashion. Taking Levis is a major risk, but the rewards could be substantial.
Carolina Panthers should consider Bryce Young
Another potential option for the Carolina Panthers that warrants significant consideration is Bryce Young. The current Heisman Trophy holder picked up where he left off in 2022 with a series of dazzling displays for an Alabama team that still harbors college football playoff hopes despite falling to defeat at Tennessee last weekend.
One thing that sets Young apart from most prospects is supreme poise. The quarterback is rarely flustered in the pocket and never appears rattled, which is something NFL teams will be salivating over during the upcoming assessment process.
Young is accurate, mobile, and has a big enough arm to make every throw at the pro level. There are some concerns about his size and longevity, but this could be easily solved by bulking up a little in readiness for bigger hits against imposing defensive linemen.
Providing there are no complications surrounding Young in the coming weeks, then he’s in contention to be the first player selected in 2023. This represents a Day 1 starter and potential long-term answer for the Panthers, who’ve avoided the temptation to take a top signal-caller from the college ranks early since Cam Newton was their No. 1 choice in 2011.
There is no doubt Young has everything one looks for in a franchise-caliber player. But much will depend on what Carolina’s new head coach wants working in partnership with general manager Scott Fitterer.
Carolina Panthers should consider Hendon Hooker
There is perhaps no prospect entering the NFL in 2023 that’s done more to boost his stock than Hendon Hooker. The Tennessee standout is riding a crest of a wave this season, emerging as a leading Heisman Trophy candidate and propelling the Volunteers’ into legitimate college football playoff relevancy.
Hooker got a good chance to impress NFL scouts during Saturday’s clash against Alabama. This was the best audition he could have with the football world watching and to say he passed with flying colors would be understating things.
The standard of quarterback play from Hooker and Bryce Young was extraordinary. Something that only raises his stock further heading into the second half of the campaign.
After initially being projected as a mid-round selection, Hooker is now a lock to go in the first round and could even make the top 10 if he continues impressing in a competitive environment.
Much has been made about Hooker’s age, which is older than most potential franchise quarterbacks. However, that shouldn’t make that much difference in the grand scheme of things when one considers how long a signal-caller’s shelf life is in the modern-day NFL.
The Panthers might go in a different direction if they land a top-three pick. But ignoring Hooker completely would be foolish given his meteoric rise to prominence in 2022.
Carolina Panthers should consider C.J. Stroud
Much has been made about the stigma surrounding Ohio State quarterbacks once they get to the NFL. Simply put, C.J. Stroud has the chance to completely shift this narrative.
Stroud has been nothing short of sensational from the moment he replaced Justin Fields on the Buckeyes. His accuracy, poise and intelligence in the pocket are extremely encouraging, with his scope for further growth something else that ensures he’ll be a high-end draft selection in 2023.
The prospect is mobile and accurate, capable of making any throw without having an elite arm by modern-day NFL standards. His leadership is exemplary and pre-snap recognition is also coming on leaps and bounds during his final college season.
Whether the Carolina Panthers have the opportunity to take Stroud is another matter. He appears neck-and-neck with Bryce Young for the No. 1 overall selection right now, so there is plenty to play for over the remaining games and when the all-important evaluation process at events like the NFL Scouting Combine get underway.
One thing is evident above all others. The Panthers need a true franchise quarterback to spearhead their rise back to prominence and Stroud certainly ticks all the boxes.
That’s harsh on Matt Corral, the 2021 third-round pick that might not ever get a real shot in Carolina. But if the Panthers get within touching distance of Stroud or Young, they should not hesitate.