The NFL Draft is just a few weeks away, and nobody knows if the Carolina Panthers will draft Bryce Young or CJ Stroud with the first-overall pick. While Stroud was the favorite for quite some time, recent reports indicate that Young impressed during his meeting and could end up being the pick. So, which player should the Panthers go with?
Bryce Young or CJ Stroud: Who Should the Panthers Draft?
The Case For CJ Stroud
In a draft class that lacks a true can’t-miss quarterback prospect, CJ Stroud is probably the safest pick of the bunch. While he doesn’t have the highest ceiling, he possesses a reliable floor that gives him decent odds of being a league-average starter.
Stroud doesn’t excel at any one thing, but he can do a lot of things at an NFL level. His arm, while nowhere close to guys like Josh Allen or Justin Herbert, is strong enough to make tight-window throws. He has above-average accuracy and the build to take hits and keep getting back up. Last, but certainly not least, is his athleticism. While he’s no Lamar Jackson, the quarterback can make plays on his own when he has to.
There are a handful of quarterbacks out there that will automatically make your team a contender, regardless of the rest of the roster. CJ Stroud is not one of those guys, but that doesn’t mean he has no value. He can be an adequate starter and, in the right environment, a league-average stater can lead a team to a deep playoff run. For example, last year Brock Purdy took the San Francisco 49ers all the way to the NFC Championship Game, and he might have taken them to the Super Bowl if he hadn’t injured his arm.
Coleridge Stroud IV pic.twitter.com/ZlPGr9Hlto https://t.co/xSaG9j4YB9
— AJ King (@allday_ajking) April 14, 2023
Why the Panthers Should Draft Bryce Young
If Bryce Young were a little bit bigger, there would be no debate surrounding the Panthers first-overall pick. The Alabama product is a phenomenal talent, blessed with a rocket arm that can reach any part of the field and the athleticism to evade would-be tacklers in the pocket and extend plays.
Young is more than just a gifted athlete. When he does scramble, he’s usually looking downfield to try and extend a play, rather than just running past the line of scrimmage. Additionally, he can read a defense at a competent level, especially when there isn’t pressure in his face. Basically, he’s a spitting image of pre-Broncos Russell Wilson, in both the good and bad ways.
Young’s minuscule frame hasn’t led to injuries yet, but it has stopped him from working the middle of the field. Listed at 5’-10” and probably a bit shorter than that in actuality, the Alabama product struggles to see over his offensive line and can leave easy plays on the field. Because this is a physical limitation, it’s hard to see that issue improving in the NFL.
Ultimately, Young is going to leave easy plays on the field, and any team drafting him will have to hope that he offsets this with insane plays on outside throws. That is a risky wager, but betting on Bryce Young is a move the Panthers need to make. You cannot win in today’s NFL without an elite quarterback, and Young has that in his range out outcomes, while Stroud does not. Fortune favors the bold, and the Panthers need to bet on the player that offers the best combination of upside and floor.
Main Photo: Gary Cosby Jr – USA Today Sports
