2023 NFL draft - Should Panthers take Stroud or Young at No. 1?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bryce Young over C.J. Stroud?

C.J. Stroud over Bryce Young?

Those are the questions facing the Carolina Panthers as they decide which quarterback they will take with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft on April 27 (8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, ESPN App).

Many in the league who were interviewed believe it will be Stroud, mostly because the former Ohio State quarterback, at 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds, fits the physical stature that first-year Carolina coach Frank Reich is accustomed to working with.

None of Reich's quarterbacks the past 17 years has been shorter than 6-2.

Many others interviewed believe Alabama's Young (5-10, 204) checks more boxes.

«Bryce is a better player despite his size,'' said one NFL executive, echoing the thoughts of others speaking on condition of anonymity.

Said another, „With Bryce, it's hard to poke holes.''

Unknown is whether the early buzz that Reich might prefer the bigger Stroud over Young was a smokescreen or whether concerns over Young's size and durability (despite starting 27 of a possible 28 games over the past two seasons) really will be the deciding factor for Carolina.

What is known, according to front office sources with knowledge of the situation, is the Panthers traded from No. 9 to No. 1 with the intent of drafting Young or Stroud, even though publicly, team officials have included Florida's Anthony Richardson and Kentucky's Will Levis in the mix. General manager Scott Fitterer and Reich — and everyone else involved in the Panthers' process — say they are on the same page and don't anticipate a dispute with the final decision.

Let's take a closer look at what separates Young and Stroud as Carolina evaluates which criteria will carry the most weight when making the final