2023 NFL Mock Draft: Panthers end Mayfield, Darnold nightmare

The 2023 NFL Draft may be months away, but it is never too early to look toward the future, especially if you are the Carolina Panthers.

We have reached Week 7 of the 2022 NFL season, and as is the case every year you have the haves and the have-nots. One big have-not is the Carolina Panthers, who have already fired their head coach, and are getting nothing from the quarterback spot, leading them to hold the No. 1 overall pick next April as of now.

Here, we look at what the first round could look like next April in the 2023 NFL Draft.

*Latest draft order is courtesy of tankathon.com.

Here’s how everything falls in our latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft

No big surprise here, as the Carolina Panthers desperately need to turn the page at quarterback, and CJ Stroud is widely regarded as the best in this class. Sure, Bryce Young could bypass him during the pre-draft workouts, but right now, the Panthers need a quarterback, and Stroud has franchise guy written all over him.

Carolina tried to fix their quarterback position by bringing in the likes of Sam Darnold and Cam Newton last year, and then again with Baker Mayfield in 2022. None of it has worked, and with a  new coaching staff in place, possibly Ryan Day, the Panthers go Stroud.

The Las Vegas Raiders have shockingly gotten off to a 1-4 start this season and will need a serious run after the bye week to get back into the playoff picture. However, as it stands, they hold the No. 2 overall pick, and while most of Raider Nation would be clamoring for a quarterback if they pick here when all is said and done, they have other issues to address.

One major issue is defensive tackle, so even though teaming Maxx Crosby with Will Anderson would be excellent, they need more push on the inside. In Jalen Carter,  they get the talent they need in the interior, and that will benefit Madd Maxx even more.