NFL Draft rumors: Insider reveals Panthers ‘love’ 1 QB for top pick

The NFL world await which quarterback the Carolina Panthers will draft first overall, and ESPN’s Chris Mortensen says he knows which prospect it will be.

The Carolina Panthers hold the first-overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft after acquiring it from the Chicago Bears. That gives them the choice of the top four quarterback prospects to, hopefully, be their face of the franchise for the foreseeable future. Even with the first-overall pick, the Panthers aren’t tipping their hand as to who they will be selecting. They have met with Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis, and Florida’s Anthony Richardson, and attended each of their Pro Days.

But could there be a hint as to who they are drafting?

During an episode of SportsCenter, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen said that from what he’s heard, that NFL Draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay will have to update their mock drafts. Why is that? Well, Mortensen says he’s heard that “Bryce Young is the pick.”

ESPN insider Chris Mortensen says ‘Bryce Young is the pick’ for Panthers

"“They all love Bryce Young,” said Mortensen. “I think I’ll quote Adam Schefter, who said this reminds him of when the [San Francisco] 49ers moved up all the way to No. 3, and it was intentional to draft Mac Jones, and then changed their mind at the last minute and drafted Trey Lance. And that has not worked out for the 49ers, and I think the Panthers are on Bryce Young at the start, and will stick with him when it’s time to turn in that card.”"

For the Kiper and McShay reference, they both had the Panthers selecting Stroud in their mock drafts.

Young does have concerns surrounding him, and it has nothing to do with his play. He stands at 5-foot-10, despite being listed as 6-foot at Alabama, and weighed in at 204 pounds during the pre-draft process. That may turn off some teams, especially if they are concerned with his durability. But, Young is probably the most pro-ready quarterback in this entire class. He can maneuver in the and stand poised in the pocket and can make some incredible throws. Let’s not forget that he won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Alabama quarterback to do so.

In his three years at Alabama, he threw for 8,356 yards, 80 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 65.8 percent of his passes.

On Apr. 27, Panthers fans will find out who will be their new starting quarterback, after having a revolving door at the position since 2019. But from what Mortensen has heard, he believes that Young will be the pick.