Ranking Carolina Panthers’ Top Quarterback Options With No. 1 Pick in 2023 NFL Draft

• The Carolina Panthers traded for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Friday
• The trade meant the Panthers are looking for a quarterback in this year’s draft
• Three players have emerged as top options for Carolina’s No. 1 overall selection

The Carolina Panthers sent shockwaves across the NFL on Friday, acquiring the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears.

The Panthers sent four draft picks and wide receiver, DJ Moore to the Bears in exchange for this year's draft's No. 1 overall selection.

The Panthers giving up a ton means only one thing: they are going quarterback-hunting this coming April.

Who will be Carolina’s next franchise QB? Here are their top three options:

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1. C.J. Stroud

The former Ohio State quarterback was incredibly accurate during his time in Columbus, completing 69.3% of his passes. Stroud was highly productive for the Buckeyes, throwing 85 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions during his college career.

Stroud also showed he could deliver the goods even without his top targets, throwing for 573 yards and six touchdowns in the 2022 Rose Bowl. He racked up impressive numbers despite future first-round picks, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson both sitting out in that contest.

He also showed he is tough as nails, continuing to play at a high level despite suffering an injury late in the season against Maryland.

He threw for nearly 350 yards and a couple of touchdowns against the Michigan Wolverines. Stroud then threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns in the game against national champion Georgia a month later, per Sports Illustrated.

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2. Bryce Young

New Panthers coach, Frank Reich has discussed the importance of size at the quarterback position. That is something that Young has had to contend with his entire football career.

The former Alabama quarterback checked in at 5-foot-10 and 204 pounds at the NFL Combine, making his size the biggest question mark leading up to this year’s draft.

That being said, Young still put up impressive numbers at Alabama despite his small stature. He threw 79 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions during his final two years under head coach, Nick Saban.

He ended his college football career on a high note, completing more than 71% of his passes and throwing five touchdowns in Alabama’s Sugar Bowl victory over Kansas State.

Young finished his career with a 24-4 record as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback. He is a proven winner, and the Panthers badly need that right now.

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3. Will Levis

There is another option for Carolina besides Stroud and Young. According to CBS Sports Senior NFL writer, Pete Prisco, Levis is the top quarterback prospect in this year’s draft.

He has the ideal size for a signal caller at 6-foot-3 and 222 pounds. The 23-year-old’s right arm is a cannon, and he can extend plays with his legs, which he demonstrated during his time at Kentucky.

One knock against Levis is that he is prone to turnovers. He fumbled the football 17 times and threw 25 picks during college.

Chiefs take home the title

Sports Brief previously reported on the Chiefs winning Super Bowl LVII thanks to Patrick Mahomes.

The quarterback starred in that finale, completing 21 of 27 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns.

Mahomes also ran for 44 yards in Kansas City’s 38-35 comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles.