The Panthers will begin tonight’s draft by making its first overall selection. It has long been presumed that Bryce Young will be headed to Charlotte, but another signal-caller has frequently been mentioned in their evaluation process. 
Anthony Richardson represents the largest wild card in this year’s class, but he is squarely within the group of four passers (along with Young, C.J. Stroud and Will Levis) expected to hear their names called tonight. The Florida product is the most raw of the group, but possess unmatched physical traits and thus has the highest ceiling in the eyes of many evaluators. One of those appears to have been the Panthers’ head coach.
Frank Reich was “leaning towards” Richardson during much of the pre-draft process, reports Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network (Twitter link). The Panthers declined to seek Reich’s opinion until very recently, and the team is now in agreement on who they will be selecting. The fact that Young remains the overwhelming favorite to be chosen means Reich’s views on Richardson may have changed to a degree.
With that said, ESPN’s David Newton notes that Richardson was never given serious thought at the top of the draft board (Twitter link). Young and Stroud are seen as the safest options in the 2023 class, and the team’s ultimate choice will be tasked with starting from Week 1 of his rookie season as the Panthers look to find their first long-term answer under center since Cam Newton. Richardson, on the other hand, could very well find himself behind an established starter to begin his career, depending on where he lands in the draft.
On that point, veteran NFL agent Brett Tessler tweets rather definitively that Richardson will be taken “a lot higher than most people expect.” His range has varied over the past few months, and the run (or, perhaps, lack thereof) on quarterbacks in the top five of the order will no doubt affect Richardson’s stock. A number of teams with uncertain futures at the position beyond 2023 could be interested, though, which should not leave him having to wait long to hear his name called.
‘…Frank Reich was “leaning towards” Richardson during much of the pre-draft process, reports Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network (Twitter link). The Panthers declined to seek Reich’s opinion until very recently…’
Why on earth would you take a HC job where you have no say over the draft? Another losing regime in NC. Puppets don’t bring titles.
Unless he goes first or second overall nobody is going to be surprised with Richardson’s draft position. Some have predicted him at #3 overall in a trade so I’m not sure how he can go “higher than people expect” like that agent said.
Because the general consensus is he isn’t going in the top 5.
Love this draft propaganda.
I’m totally in on the propaganda this year. But yea, you gotta know ur buying in on a bunch of BS. It’s still fun though.
Once they traded up to #1 so early, they trapped themselves into taking Bryce Young. He’s the safe pick, that a GM and Coach won’t get fired for selecting. Anthony Richardson with any improvement, will be the better player, but you may lose your job in the 3 years it takes to get there.
TroubleMike If you draft Richardson you’d have to have an understanding with the owner that it’s going to take a bit longer to see the real end result, in the first place. If the owner is impatient, they have final say and don’t allow their GM to draft Richardson, because they know the situation there and aren’t on board with his timeline.
Smokescreen
You have the #1 pick. Just be quiet and take who you want.