What was once a fatal four-way match for No. 1 pick of the 2023 NFL draft has seemingly become a one-on-one bout between Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Alabama’s Bryce Young. But there’s one analyst who believes it should, at the very least, be a triple threat contest.
NFL.com recently held a draft debate, asking four experts who they think the Carolina Panthers should take with this year’s first overall selection. Three of the four—former league executive Marc Ross, former quarterback David Carr and network host Rhett Lewis—chose Young.
Draft analyst Chad Reuter, however, went with University of Florida’s Anthony Richardson. Here were his thoughts:
Richardson might not be the most polished passer right now, but the No. 1 overall pick should be the player with the best chance to become a transcendent talent. The Florida product’s strength as a passer and runner, natural ability to move inside the pocket and skill to find downfield targets on the run give him a chance to be special at the next level.
While Young and Stroud are viewed as the two safest passing prospects in this class, Richardson—without a doubt—presents the most upside. Between his 6-foot-4, 244-pound frame, his historic athletic testing and rocket launcher of an arm—the soon-to-be 21-year-old has plenty of mold to work with.
The Panthers, after attending the Florida Gators’ pro day last Thursday, are set to bring Richardson in for a top-30 visit.
