Even with the 2023 NFL draft still over two months away, there has been plenty of chatter about organizations making a play for the No. 1 overall pick. Among those teams many think should try a trade with the Chicago Bears is the Carolina Panthers—who are absolutely desperate for an answer under center.
But, in his latest mock, ESPN senior writer and draft guru Todd McShay doesn’t think the Panthers could move at all. In fact, they may nab a potential franchise quarterback right where they’re at.
And so, with the ninth overall selection, McShay takes a swing on University of Florida’s Anthony Richardson.
“Richardson will not be ready to start right away after just 13 college starts and with some rawness to his game, but his potential is off the charts,” he writes. “He has the arm. He has the rushing ability. And he has the 6-foot-4, 232-pound frame. Scouts are fascinated by his upside. It’d just come down to whether the Panthers believe they can fix his accuracy woes and develop his game to capitalize on those physical traits. Maybe they fall in love with another QB and try to move up, but if not, don’t be surprised if they’re the ones to reach for Richardson (my No. 36 prospect).”
While Richardson may be regarded as the most talented athlete in this quarterback class, he’s certainly the most polarizing one to this point. That’s because he’s not the most polished passer of the group—as evidenced by his not-so-productive 53.8-percent completion rate and 17:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2022.
Luckily for Richardson, though, he’ll have plenty of opportunities within the next six weeks or so to prove his doubters wrong. And if he does, he might be a steal for Carolina in this very scenario.
