Panthers To Host C.J. Stroud; Anthony Richardson Still In Mix At No. 1?

The Panthers will conclude their pre-draft quarterback visits next week. After meeting with Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson, the team will bring in C.J. Stroud, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Stroud’s visit will overlap with Will Levis‘ previously reported meeting; both QBs are coming to Charlotte on Tuesday. While Stroud is believed to have lost ground to Young to be the top pick, the Ohio State-developed passer is still believed to be in the mix. Richardson might be as well. The former Florida QB remains in consideration for Carolina at No. 1, Joseph Person of The Athletic adds (subscription required).

Richardson, who has consistently been mocked as a top-10 pick, only started one season for the Gators. But the 6-foot-4, 244-pound QB presents a Cam Newton-like athletic profile. Although Richardson completed just 53.8% of his passes last season, his potential ceiling has continued to intrigue teams. While some doubt about teams’ interest in Richardson as a top-three pick has emerged, the Panthers may not have closed the door on what would be a surprising choice at No. 1.

Young emerged last week as the likely Carolina choice at 1, with several Panthers staffers believed to be high on the former Heisman winner. The Panthers taking Richardson over Young or Stroud would qualify as one of the bigger upsets atop the draft in recent history. Then again, the Jaguars made a similar move last year by going with Travon Walker‘s potential over the safer pick in Aidan Hutchinson. Of course, the stakes are a bit higher when this decision involves quarterbacks.

Richardson’s 4.43-second 40-yard dash topped QBs at this year’s Combine, though some of the passers did not partake in the sprint, and his 40.5-inch vertical jump was far and away the best mark at the position. It would still be an upset for the Panthers to take Richardson over Young or Stroud, but the Gainesville native has submitted an interesting case — even if it teems with boom-or-bust potential. Young scored highest on the S2 test, measuring athletes’ information-processing capabilities and decision-making, among this year’s crop, Person adds, noting Panthers owner David Tepper views the test in high regard. Richardson also scored well.

In addition to this upcoming Charlotte trek, Stroud’s pre-draft itinerary has included meetings with the Texans, Colts, Lions and Raiders. Ohio State is soon set to see its past three starting QBs taken in the first round, with Stroud following Justin Fields and the late Dwayne Haskins. Stroud will almost definitely be picked well before either Fields (No. 11) or Haskins (No. 15) were in their respective drafts. While still in play to be the No. 1 pick, Stroud may not fall past the Texans at 2 — should the Panthers go with Young or Richardson at 1.

Stroud carried considerable momentum to be Carolina’s pick coming into last week, but even as the Young buzz has swayed the odds, the ex-Buckeye would be a safer bet compared to Richardson. Stroud finished his two-year run as a Big Ten starter with an 85-to-12 TD-INT ratio. His 6-3 frame would offer the Panthers a more conventional option compared to Young, whose 5-10 stature has created questions that have undercut the Alabama alum’s otherwise sterling profile. Neither Stroud nor Young provided much production on the ground in college, but each presents a decent athletic profile — though, neither is on the level of Richardson in this area.