Panthers Already Have Their Minds Made Up About #1 Pick

Panthers Already Have Their Minds Made Up About #1 Pick

25 April, 2023

The Carolina Panthers have selected who they will select with the first overall choice in the 2023 NFL Draft, according to Frank Reich, who made the announcement during a news conference on Tuesday.

A reporter enquired, “Who is it?”

Reich guffawed.

He stated, “We’ll make that announcement on Thursday about 8 o’clock.

The decision was essentially made, according to the Panthers’ first-year head coach, when general manager Scott Fitterer visited his office on Monday to ensure everyone was on the same page.

It resembled a proposal in several ways. The answer was yes, Reich replied. “There is agreement, and we’re happy about it.”

After selling wide receiver DJ Moore, two first-round selections, two second-round picks, and the top overall pick to the Chicago Bears to acquire the spot, the Panthers have admitted they want to pursue a quarterback.

Though the team also visited privately with Will Levis, Anthony Richardson, and C.J. Stroud, among others, the Panthers are heavily favoring Alabama quarterback Bryce Young to be their selection on Thursday night.

The first choice in the 2023 NFL Draft is currently owned by Frank Reich and the Panthers.
Reich continued by praising Fitterer and the Panthers scouting staff for how they handled the pre-draft stage of the process. He said that they made their choice without experiencing a single “ah-ha” moment, rather conviction “built gradually.”

“There was ebbs and flows during the process,” said Reich, the former Indianapolis Colts head coach. “I don’t want to say there’s any drastic change of mind, but there’s ebbs and flows of how much you like a guy, and that’s why you have to resist the temptation of making your mind up too early. So I thought we as a scouting staff and coaches did a good job of not falling into that trap.”