It’s getting loud for C.J. Stroud.
On Tuesday, ESPN published its latest offering from senior writer and draft analyst Todd McShay—who changed his tune about the Carolina Panthers. After previously leaning toward University of Alabama’s Bryce Young as 2023’s No. 1 overall pick, McShay—in his new mock—played a song that’s getting awfully familiar.
He writes:
We know the Panthers are drafting a quarterback — they have been searching for a long-term fix and sent a big bag of assets to Chicago to jump up here in order to find it — but we still don’t know for sure which quarterback they want. We might not have the answer until the pick is announced, and I’m not sure Carolina even knows just yet. I projected Alabama’s Bryce Young here in my last mock draft, but I’m going with Stroud this time around. It could really go either way.
While the Panthers’ brass may have an idea of who they want, at least individually, there doesn’t seem to be a decision made within the organization just yet. As reported by NFL Network’s Bridget Condon on Monday, the braintrust is keeping a tunnel vision approach—as they’ll continue to evaluate the top prospects on their own and come to a consensus prior to the night of April 27.
But between the rumblings and the regard, Carolina may be tipping their hand—even if they’re not quite sure of exactly what’s in it.
