Mr. Scot

I'd have been okay either way... ...but I do like this way better.

It's definitely possible to have that conviction for more than one guy, and indications are they do. That's why it was reported that they'd also have been comfortable trading to #2 overall. Also have to factor in that us seeing a particular guy as a project doesn't mean the staff does. On that front, I'll defer to the pros. And again, why bother with smokescreens when you're picking #1? That's a waste of everybody's time.

Kunkel...

Reports now are that they'll take their time and look at all their options, Levis included. And that's reasonable. I know Dawg said "smokescreen" but why waste time on misinformation when you have the #1 pick? Not like anybody can jump you. Bottom Line for me? I have my preferences but ultimately I trust this staff and I'll be good with whoever they take. (yes, even if it's Levis)

Why would you need to smokescreen if you're picking first overall?

Word is the team thought #9 was too high for Richardson. Given that, it's kinda hard to picture them taking him at #1.

What I "know" is that the people who have genuine access to the team know more about what's going on than you do, "human nature" knowledge notwithstanding. But again, why does it matter this much to you anyway?

Stroud I could see. Young? Maybe but the concerns about his size are reportedly quite real. I expect us to "dig deeper" on all of them, though.

Brugler mentioned Reich liking him. (really liking him, in fact) My view hasn't changed. I'm good with whoever we decide on because I trust the guys making the decision.

Dude, you really need to take some time out before you blow a gasket And for the record, I did answer.

How about believing that decision isn't made yet? Do I believe he's an option though? Yep. Besides the prior reports that Tepper and the front office like him, Dane Brugler mentioned that Reich really liked Levis as well. All that said, there's a lot of work to be done between now and Draft Day. Side Note: Is this really that important to you?

Who let you in?

How many players signed?

I'm the wake of today's trade, The Athletic's draft guy Dane Brugler has put up a new mock. NFL Mock Draft 2023 Brugler argues that he'd take Young or Richardson but doesn't think we will. He also mentions having heard that Frank Reich "really likes' Will Levis after meeting with him at the Combine, but ultimately has us taking CJ Stroud. Excerpts from his writeup... In my opinion, Alabama’s Bryce Young is still the best pure quarterback in this draft, but Frank Reich said it himself at the combine: Young’s size “is a concern.” Enough to pass on him? Maybe. Both Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis have tantalizing traits, and there is plenty of smoke connecting Richardson to Carolina (beyond just the Cam Newton comparisons). If you’re going to trade the farm for the top pick, why not swing for the fences? Richardson has sky-high potential with his rare size/speed profile and promising passing traits. A possible Jacoby Brissett-Richardson pairing in the quarterback room makes sense. I’ve also heard, though, that Reich really likes Levis, based on his tools and the time the two spent together at the combine. But I keep coming back to Stroud, who I think is the new favorite to be the No. 1 pick. He is the quarterback that everyone in the room should be able to agree on because of one main factor: accuracy. His maturation at moving the pocket and creating second-chance plays might be what ultimately determines his ceiling, but Stroud has a very high floor in the NFL because of his natural throwing skills from the pocket.

Sure they do

FYI Dane Brugler's has put up a post-trade mock...NFL Mock draft

Which he should...and was told he was wrong. But yeah, I know...human nature

Already did. It's definitely possible. Brugler has us taking Stroud but doesn't see Young as likely due to Reich's concern about his size. He also mentions that Reich "really likes" Will Levis since having met him at the Combine. I expect we'll get lots of different predictions between now and Draft Day, partially because those decisions most likely aren't made yet... nor should they be. They have time to fully explore their options, and I believe they will.

Yeah...that's not how scouting works. Teams can and frequently do like more than one player equally even if they ultimately can only choose one. You're basing your thinking on a false narrative.

Yeah...if the quotrf post were a reading comprehension test, you'd have failed spectacularly

Sorry dude, but that doesn't make any sense. If you have two players you equally believe in, and taking one of them allows you to also get another really good player on your team, you'd have to be a fool not to take that option.

FYI: Since you mentioned Schefter as a guy in your trusted, you might want to recheck the other thread. The video of his statements tells a little different story.

FYI: Here's the clip of what Schefter actually said... Basically, he called the team to ask them about the belief mentioned here because it was something he had heard and wanted to confirm if it was true. The response he got doesn't confirm it. In fact, it said they liked all their top prospects. So basically, the entire premise of the thread is incorrect.

Nobody up there should give a sh-t what the fanbase thinks. As the old saying goes, listen to the fans and you wind up sitting with them. Insider reports have confirmed that the Panthers believe all three of their top prospects have the potential to be franchise quarterbacks. So then the question becomes just a franchise quarterback vs a franchise quarterback and another great player. Are you really gonna turn down the chance to add another good player to your team just so you can brag that you had the #1 overall? If I'm a player and one of my team guys told me that's the way they were thinking, I'd question their competence.