CHARLOTTE. NC (AP) — Carolina Panthers coach Frank Reich says he and general manager Scott Fitterer have agreed on which quarterback to draft the team. the number 1 selection in the NFL draft.
But Reich says the team won’t announce who it is until Thursday night. when the draft starts.
The Panthers are choosing between Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s CJ Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson in an effort to improve a quarterback position that has been in transition for the past five seasons.
Fitterer said last week that he had waited to ask Reich who he preferred at No. 1 so that nothing would cloud the judgment of any of the decision makers. But on Monday, Fitterer finally walked into Reich’s office and asked him who he preferred, and they both agreed on the same quarterback.
“It was like a proposal, and I said yes,” Reich joked Tuesday. “But there is consensus and we are excited.”
Young remains the heavy favorite to be the first Panthers quarterback selected No. 1 overall since Cam Newton in 2011. according to FanDuel Sportsbookalthough Levis has gotten ahead of Stroud.
This is a very important pick for Carolina, which hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2017 largely due to inconsistency at QB position.
Reich praised Fitterer and the scouts for keeping an open mind throughout the process.
“We all go into the thing with ideas and inclinations, but there are ebbs and flows during the process,” Reich said. “Is there a change of heart? I wouldn’t say there’s a drastic change in opinion, but there are ebbs and flows about how much you like a guy. And that’s why you have to resist the temptation to make up your mind too soon.
“The coaches and scouting staff did a good job of not falling into that trap and just taking it for what it is, taking it day by day, watching the tape and going through the process.”
Reich said the team’s coaching staff’s convictions about whom to pick “were gradually built” over time.
With the top pick decided, Reich said the team is now turning its attention to its five other picks in the first five rounds of the draft, including the 39th overall pick.
“We’re looking at that pick 39 and pick 93 on all scenarios: (trade) up, (trade) down or stay there,” Reich said. “What if (this guy) is there; what if he isn’t. Hey, tell us how this guy fits into the scheme. They have been dynamic discussions and I think we are prepared for those scenarios.” ___
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