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The Carolina Panthers made a trade with the Chicago Bears to get their first overall draft pick in the 2023 NFL draft. The team is expected to select a quarterback and the question of which of the highly touted players they will draft has been the topic of conversation.
NFL Insider Dov Kleiman, tweeted on Wednesday that Carolina's front office is apparently being 'enamored' by former Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson. Former Carolina Panthers Thomas Davis apparently said on NFL Network that he believes the team will select Richardson with the first overall selection.
During the college football season, Alamaba Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young as well as Ohio State's C.J. Stroud were seen as the two possible options to be drafted first. Davis has said that although he believes that Young would fit right into Carolina's offense, they are ready to make a surprise pick instead.
It appears that Anthony Richardson has impressed Carolina so much that they are now highly considering drafting him first. Most specifically, Carolina is impressed with his overall size and athleticism and believe that he will be an x-factor for their offensive rebuild.
Are the Carolina Panthers taking a risk drafting QB Anthony Richardson?
Newly hired head coach Frank Reich and the Carolina Panthers are apparently set to draft quarterback Anthony Richardson with the first overall pick. While Richardson was highly scouted throughout the 2022 college football season, drafting him first was a wild card.
Anthony Richardson impressed scouts at the NFL Combine earlier this month. He clocked in the fastest time by a quarterback in the 49-yard dash with a 4.43 and the highest 40.5" vertical and 10'9" broad jumps by quarterbacks as well.
While all of those skills showcase his overall abilities as an athlete, some other stats aren't necessarily in his favor. For instance, Richardson threw 24 touchdowns for the Florida Gators in his career. No quarterback drafted in the first round has thrown that few since Michael Vick threw 21 when he was drafted in 2001.
Richardson's career completion rate was just 54.7 which would also be the lowest by a first-round pick since Jake Locker was drafted in 2011. While college stats compared to NFL stats can differ greatly, using a first-overall draft pick isn't something that should be done without necessary research. And, apparently, Carolina feels that they have done their due diligence and may be ready to draft him.
