Which Carolina Panthers news stories are hitting the headlines as debates rage on about what the team should do at No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft?
We are less than three weeks away from the Carolina Panthers making their landmark pick atop the 2023 NFL Draft. It's been an exhausting evaluation process as speculation runs wild about what choice those in power will make, which will be franchise-altering after their landmark trade with the Chicago Bears that sent shockwaves around the league.
Among the news stories making waves recently include a potential smokescreen surrounding Bryce Young, a veteran defensive tackle coming out of retirement, Frank Reich's reported choice at No. 1, and Jeremy Chinn's potential impact under the new regime.
Let's delve deeper into each aforementioned topic.
Carolina Panthers smokescreen with Bryce Young?
There seems to be some real momentum building around Bryce Young. While most sportsbooks still have C.J. Stroud as the favorite, the odds are shortening dramatically where the former Alabama star is concerned despite questions about how his slender frame might hold up in the pros.
Nobody knows for sure. The Panthers are keeping tight-lipped and aside from a few influential figures within the building, it's a guessing game.
According to Charles Robinson during his recent appearance on Brother from Another, the Panthers' interest in Young might be a smokescreen to bait the Houston Texans into trading up from No. 2 to land their guy.
Whether this tempts Houston into an offer as the Panthers look for a potential squeeze is anyone's guess. At the same time, Carolina's interest in Young might be legitimate and he becomes the first pick.
Carolina Panthers coax veteran DT out of retirement
Despite the primary focus turning to the 2023 NFL Draft, it hasn't stopped the Carolina Panthers from adding to their roster with veterans on the free-agent market. In their latest case, they managed to tempt John Penisini out of retirement and join the team's ambitious project.
The former sixth-round selection spent two seasons in the league before calling it a day shortly before the 2022 campaign. There was no real reason or health complications behind Penisini's decision, but the player has now opted for a return according to his agent David Canter.
Penisini has a connection to Duce Staley from their time together with the Detroit Lions. Perhaps it was the respected coach that convinced the defensive lineman to give it another shot - something that could provide the Panthers with a solid depth piece at nose tackle behind Shy Tuttle in 2023.
The one-time Utah college star gained 49 tackles, one sack, four tackles for loss, and four pressures throughout his two seasons in Detroit. While this isn't the flashiest move, the contract should be team friendly and it allows the Panthers a little extra freedom ahead of the all-important draft selection weekend.
Penisini looks like a good scheme fit for what defensive Ejiro Evero is planning to run in Carolina. But it's hard to say what level of impact he can make after missing so much football.
Carolina Panthers head coach makes his choice at No. 1
All the speculation has been centered on the Carolina Panthers choosing between Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud. However, a recent revelation from Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network claimed that head coach Frank Reich had his eye on someone else.
The insider stated to WFNZ that Reich has been pounding the table hard for Anthony Richardson, who is a little raw but comes with potentially generational upside if everything clicks into place. This is not an idea widely shared by those within the Panthers' war room, so it'll be interesting to see how this dynamic plays out.
"I’m told that Frank Reich, if he had his way, would go with Anthony Richardson because of the upside, because of what Anthony Richardson could be two or three years down the road. It’s just a matter of how much of a fight is Frank Reich gonna put up in that war room to say, ‘Hey, listen, I want Anthony Richardson.’ I think right now, there’s probably less than a 20 percent chance it’s Anthony Richardson and all signs are pointing towards C.J. Stroud."Tony Pauline via WFNZ/Panthers Wire
Reich said that he'd have no trouble bowing to the consensus agreement when it comes to the crunch. General manager Scott Fitterer also has the final say on personnel moves, although there is far more collaboration than at any stage during Matt Rhule's era.
Richardson is one of the most polarizing prospects in recent memory. The athletic intangibles are absolutely astonishing, but inexperience and some mechanical issues make this a big gamble if Reich did end up getting his way.
Jeremy Chinn to benefit from Carolina Panthers' changes
It's been a busy offseason for the Carolina Panthers. The coaching staff got an exceptional-looking makeover and a number of intriguing veterans were acquired in free agency on team-friendly deals to further enhance expectations.
One player that stands to benefit more than most is Jeremy Chinn. The former second-round pick is set to be deployed closer to the line of scrimmage under Ejiro Evero, which looks best suited to maximize the outstanding instincts and athletic attributes at his disposal.
This was a notion shared by Jeffri Chadiha of NFL.com, who listed Chinn among five players that could reap huge rewards from the team's offseason activity in 2023.
"At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, (Jeremy) Chinn should be more impactful against the run and as a blitzer, with him and (Vonn) Bell being interchangeable, depending on the situation. Chinn appears to be so giddy about the possibilities that he's already set his goals high for the coming season. That list includes reaching the Pro Bowl and earning All-Pro honors, awards that would be all the more beneficial as he's entering the final year of his rookie contract. "Jeffri Chadiha, via NFL.com
It's a big upcoming campaign for Chinn, there's no getting away from that. One that could earn the Southern Illinois product a bumper new contract if everything goes according to plan.