Which draft prospects should the Carolina Panthers have a close eye on during the all-important NFL Scouting Combine in 2023?
Now that the coaching staff is all but complete, the Carolina Panthers are turning their attention to some important dates in the offseason calendar. Those in power are busy deciding which players to keep or let go in free agency, with the promise of fresh faces coming into the fold representing another source of great excitement for fans.
The 2023 NFL Draft is fast approaching, which is a chance for Carolina to strengthen depth options and find long-term stability at certain position groups. They have eight selections this spring thanks to trading Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers, so this puts general manager Scott Fitterer in a good position to play the board and go bold if opportunities arise.
Fitterer and others will be in attendance for one of the most prominent assessment events on the calendar next week. The NFL Scouting Combine is a chance to evaluate athletic attributes and speak with prospects of interest, which plays a key role in any team’s overall thought process.
With this in mind, here are five players Carolina must monitor closely during what’s sure to be a busy week in Indianapolis.
Prospect No. 1
Carolina Panthers should monitor Andrew Vorhees
- Offensive Line | USC Trojans
Adding another depth piece or two across the offensive line is something the Carolina Panthers should contemplate this offseason. Especially considering their two starting guards, Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen, are recovering from long-term injuries.
Andrew Vorhees is a fascinating prospect with some wild projections right now. Some analysts have him as a first-round talent while others project a third-rounder following an inconsistent final campaign at USC.
The Panthers have the chance to find out more about the player when they descend on the NFL Scouting Combine. If everything checks out, this could be a high-value development piece once other needs are filled.
Carolina Panthers should monitor Anthony Richardson
- Quarterback | Florida Gators
It’s no secret that the Carolina Panthers are looking for a new quarterback. Frank Reich rightfully wasn’t giving anything away during his second press conference this week, but excitement is growing among fans thanks to a more collective thought process without Matt Rhule holding them back.
Scott Fitterer’s made his preference clear about drafting and developing. This allows the general manager to build around a rookie contract and perhaps get the Panthers into contention sooner than many anticipate.
Trading up to select their prospect of choice cannot be ruled out. If the Panthers decide to keep their assets and take a signal-caller at No. 9 overall, one suspects it leaves them with Anthony Richardson and not much else.
Richardson’s growth as a starter in 2022 was encouraging. There is a lot of hard work ahead for whichever team drafts him, but the athletic intangibles mean he could have the highest upside of any quarterback prospect entering the NFL this year.
The player will test extremely well at the NFL Scouting Combine. More importantly, he’ll get the chance to show off his throwing progression in the hope of convincing Carolina or someone else he’s worthy of a high-end pick.
Sitting down with Richardson is almost guaranteed where the Panthers are concerned. Something else that is sure to get the rumor mill spinning as the week progresses.
Carolina Panthers must monitor Drew Sanders
- Linebacker | Arkansas Razorbacks
There is a significant level of intrigue about how the Carolina Panthers might look on defense next season. Ejiro Evero is one of the best up-and-coming coaches in the business, so his 3-4 base that changes frequently should play to the strengths of some versatile weapons already at the defensive coordinator’s disposal.
Adding to the group during free agency and the draft is assured. This bears more significance at the second level, which could be set for major changes due to contract issues and the potential for early departures to ease the team’s salary-cap burden.
Examining the potential of Drew Sanders throughout the assessment stage should be considered. The Arkansas product came on a significant amount in 2022 with the Razorbacks, displaying the ability to make plays in all phases, which is exactly what Evero wants in his defensive stars.
Sanders can get after the quarterback with relative ease. His discipline against the run is also progressing and although there is refinement needed in coverage, the athleticism is there for the player to take on coaching well.
Once the Panthers get their quarterback, then acquiring someone with Sanders’ credentials on Day 2 could provide immediate help. But if the player stands out enough during the NFL Scouting Combine and his pro day, he could end up being taken by a contender late in the first round.
Carolina Panthers must monitor Zach Harrison
- Defensive End | Ohio State Buckeyes
As stated previously, Ejiro Evero’s presence means the Carolina Panthers are going to deploy a 3-4 base scheme right out of the gate during games. However, this will change constantly depending on what situations they find themselves in on any given down.
This is something that was further confirmed by head coach Frank Reich this week. But looking at the personnel at Carolina’s disposal and the fact Matt Ioannidis is out of contact, adding a defensive end that can play the 3-4 should be high on the team’s list of priorities.
Brian Burns cannot do it alone in terms of pass rushing. Letting Haason Reddick leave in free agency was a grave error, although linking the former Florida State standout with Frankie Luvu as Carolina’s 3-4 outside linebacker tandem does have potential.
Keeping an eye on Zach Harrison’s progress throughout the NFL Scouting Combine would be prudent. The lineman might not have put up elite numbers at any stage with Ohio State, but his size, strength, and ability to set the edge make him a potentially ideal candidate for a 3-4 scheme at the next level.
Harrison is going to wow scouts and other NFL personnel with eye-catching athleticism and explosiveness. His length also makes him an intriguing option for the Panthers on Day 2 if he makes it that far down the pecking order.
This is a prime example of scouting what a prospect can become rather than what he produced in college. Harrison has the frame and experience to make an instant impact on Carolina’s front seven, which is something they desperately need.
Carolina Panthers must monitor C.J. Stroud
- Quarterback | Ohio State Buckeyes
Speculation continues to mount about the Carolina Panthers making a daring move up the pecking order to land their quarterback of choice. This is risky, but something that cannot be dismissed if everyone is on the same page.
The cost is likely to be steep. Looking at those picking higher up, the Chicago Bears at No. 1 and the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 appear the most likely trade partners, but the Panthers need to act fast with other teams contemplating the same thing in the coming weeks.
Looking at the way Frank Reich deploys his offense, having a taller pocket passer would be beneficial. This puts C.J. Stroud firmly under the microscope at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The former Ohio State star has everything one looks for in a franchise quarterback at the next level. His ball placement is first class, he can make every throw, and his presence in the pocket is something else that sets him apart from most entering the league this year.
Stroud has enough athleticism to escape pressure, gain yards on the ground, and conjure up magic off-script. His performance against the national champion Georgia Bulldogs quashed any remaining concerns about the player, who shone on the biggest stage with a remarkable display.
Carolina will do their due diligence on Stroud and others. But this looks like a tremendous fit and considering how the team upgraded its coaching staff, there is no better place for a young quarterback prospect to learn and flourish.