Is there a team that has more draft buzz this year than the Panthers?
The team added former Colts coach Frank Reich and a star-studded staff while also making interesting moves in free agency (running back Miles Sanders, wide receivers Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark). Now, the Panthers have the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Carolina paid a high price to the Bears for the rights to that pick: top receiver D.J. Moore and a ton of draft capital. The overwhelming belief is that Reich and general manager Scott Fitterer will use that pick to select a quarterback.
The Panthers' best option at No. 1, then, is likely Alabama's Bryce Young. He has size and durability concerns, but he showed with the Crimson Tide an extremely high processing speed, excellent accuracy and the ability to make plays on the fly.
TSN'S NFL DRAFT HQ
Live picks tracker | 7-round mock draft | Top 200 big board
The Panthers have more than just the quarterback position to fill this year, however: They also have questions on defense; how will they use their precious few picks to answer them?
Here's everything you need to know about Carolina's draft picks, including when it will make its selections, how many it has, draft needs and more:
Panthers draft picks 2023: Who did Carolina pick?
- Round 1, Pick No. 1: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
- Round 2, Pick No. 39: Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
- Round 3, Pick No. 80: D.J. Johnson, LB, Oregon
- Round 4, Pick No. 114: Chandler Zavala, G, N.C. State
- Round 5, Pick No. 145: Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State
LIVE: Grades & analysis for every pick in 2023 NFL Draft
Panthers NFL Draft order 2023
| Round | Pick (overall) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3 (from CHI) |
| 2 | 39 |
| 3 | 93 (from SF) |
| 4 | 114 |
| 4 | 132 (from SF) |
| 5 | 145 |
Panthers NFL Draft needs
- Quarterback: Their experiment at the position in 2022 predictably backfired as P.J. Walker, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield all started at least five games. Carolina needs a new face of the franchise and is sure to get one in Young, the consensus top quarterback of the 2023 class. The Panthers did sign Andy Dalton as a free agent, but he doubtless will serve more of a mentor role — otherwise, what was the purpose of trading up to No. 1 overall?
- EDGE: Carolina is moving to a 3-4 alignment under first-year defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, creating the need for additional edge rushers to help Brian Burns and Frankie Luvu, who finished first and second on the team last year with 12 and seven sacks, respectively. While Burns is likely to move from defensive end to outside linebacker in the new base defense, Luvu could shift to inside linebacker on occasion. That would create a need for a true bookend opposite Burns. Potential options at No. 39 include Iowa's Lukas Van Ness, Kansas State's Felix Anudike-Uzomah and LSU's B.J. Ojulari.
- Linebacker: Shaq Thompson is back after agreeing to take a pay cut. He'll provide invaluable experience to a linebacker corps that is not very deep. The Panthers should expect more from 2022 fourth-round pick Brandon Smith, who totaled just eight tackles in 12 games.
Panthers mock draft 2023
Here is how the Panthers' draft will unfold in 2023, according to TSN's Vinnie Iyer's seven-round mock draft:
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Bryce Young | QB | Alabama |
| 2 | 39 | Jaylon Jones | CB | Texas A&M |
| 3 | 93 | K.J. Henry | EDGE | Clemson |
| 4 | 114 | Emil Ekiyor Jr. | G | Alabama |
| 4 | 132 | Dontavyion Wicks | WR | Virginia |
| 5 | 145 | Will Mallory | TE | Miami |