NFL rumors: Overwhelming favorite to be Panthers No. 1 pick emerging

Here’s another spin of the Panthers quarterback prospect wheel to see which young signal-caller will have the honor (or curse) of getting picked first.

The Carolina Panthers did the hard work to get themselves this far. With two weeks to go until the 2023 NFL Draft, the end is in sight, and lucky for them, there happens to be light at the end of the tunnel.

Outlined in that light is the short, unassuming shadow of the next quarterback primed to become Carolina’s starter this season: Alabama’s Bryce Young.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Young is currently the betting favorite to be taken first overall by the Panthers at -130. Behind him, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud comes in at +300.

Stroud made an impression on Panthers head coach Frank Reich at his pro day a few weeks ago and remains a worthy candidate for the No. 1 overall pick. Florida’s Anthony Richardson, too, has impressed many analysts and is viewed as an ideal fit for Carolina’s offensive scheme.

Yet Vegas has pushed those two aside in strong, overwhelming favor of Young. Why’s that?

Bryce Young is the betting favorite to be drafted by Panthers with No. 1 pick

We would posit that Young’s recent visit in Carolina had something to do with it.

The Panthers hosted Young for a top-30 visit on Tuesday, and Young apparently was “impressive” in the interview portion of the visit. Now, the visit alone doesn’t mean Carolina has its mind set on Young; the franchise hosted Richardson that same day and will also meet Stroud and Kentucky’s Will Levis next Tuesday.

Young is merely the first top quarterback prospect to visit Carolina, and being the first pick means diddly squat…..until the 2023 NFL Draft rolls around.

The Alabama quarterback has been frequently criticized for his height, but his experience in a winning program and innate passing talents still make him a top-five pick by most accounts.

Whether he’ll be the No. 1 pick is a different story altogether. Today, sportsbooks may have Young pegged as the odds-on favorite, but next week, Stroud could rise to the top if he, too, enjoys a successful visit in Carolina.

With no unanimous top quarterback prospect, predicting who will be the Panthers’ first pick is a dangerous game of quarterback roulette. Bettors have been warned.