Apr 25, 2023 - 12:19
By espn.com

How Panthers' No. 1 pick process has been different this time around - Carolina Panthers Blog- ESPN

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Scott Fitterer appeared relaxed, as relaxed as a general manager with the No. 1 overall pick of the NFL draft could be nine days away from making the biggest decision of his professional career.

Even though he hadn’t asked newCarolina Panthers coach Frank Reich which quarterback he favored between Alabama’sBryce Young and Ohio State’sC.J. Stroud prior to his final pre-draft news conference last week, he was confident they would be on the same page when he popped the question.

League sources familiar with the team’s plans, oddsmakers and many draft analysts believe the Panthers’ choice at No. 1 in Thursday’s NFL draft (8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, ESPN App) will be Young despite his 5-foot-10, 204-pound frame that has skeptics concerned about his durability.

All Fitterer allowed was that the Panthers have clarity this time with the No. 1 overall pick.

“We do see things the same way,’’ he said of himself and Reich, a former NFL quarterback for 13 years. “We value the same traits, the same characteristics. There’s certain things we really want, and that’s where the clarity comes from.’’

There wasn’t clarity at this point in 2011, the last time Carolina had the top pick. The staff was divided on whether to take Auburn quarterbackCam Newton to the point the situation had become volatile during a meeting less than 48 hours before the draft, according to a person who was in the room that day.

There were questions about Newton’s decision-making and his unique style as a dual-threat quarterback. There were questions about his character