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Talks surrounding the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft continue to heat up as the event nears. The Carolina Panthers own that top pick, and fans are starting to think they know who will come off the board first.
The Panthers are in need of a quarterback after struggling on offense in 2022. The team saw Baker Mayfield, PJ Walker, and Sam Darnold start under center, none of whom showed much promise for the future.
With that being said, a pair of passers sit atop Carolina’s draft board in Alabama signal caller Bryce Young and CJ Stroud out of Ohio State. Anthony Richardson and Will Levis have also visited with the team.
Fans are now speculating on that upcoming selection following recent comments made by Panthers GM Scott Fitterer.
The #Panthers are already considering nutritional and workout plans for Bryce Young to bulk up? Yep, it’s a done deal.
Pointed out by: @DuncOnDemand pic.twitter.com/ejrUAexRCO
— Michael Rimmer (@avl_mike) April 18, 2023
“I think nutritionally, we can do some things to educate him,” Fitterer said. “We’ll get him in the weight room. When you really look at his lower body, his lower body has gotten bigger. He’s put on a lot of mass down there.
“A lot of times, quarterbacks don’t want to lift upper body because you get a little bit bound up, but he’s going to put on size as he ages, as well… Guys just grow. That’s something he can control and something we can help him with.”
Fans immediately ran with the clip, claiming that the comments essentially confirm the Panthers’ choice to take Bryce Young with the top pick.
#1 pick confirmed https://t.co/ukGd7TEyd6
— KT➐ (@k3NG2_) April 18, 2023
Done deal @ all panthers fans https://t.co/IMHWctm4hB
— Bakari Jr 🤴🏾 (@BJ_DeWalt) April 18, 2023
Most seem excited about the possibility of seeing Young in the Carolina backfield.
Yes siree. Welcome to Charlotte, young man! https://t.co/qTTkrqBefa
— Steve Salazar (@stevejsalazar) April 18, 2023
Some believe the GM did it on purpose so there wouldn’t be any surprises for the fanbase on draft day.
Yep. This was up-front by design IMO. No team wants to surprise their fans with a #1 QB selection. With Stroud/Levis visits today – I think this was the respectable way of confirming. I’m a big Fitt fan.
— Squirtle Squad (@SquirtleSquad_Z) April 18, 2023
It’s not the only noise surrounding Young and Carolina. Many believed that it was a done deal after the quarterback cancelled his remaining pre-draft visits.
If the Panthers do take Bryce Young, they’ll be getting a former Heisman winner who threw for 8,000 yards over the last two years of his college career. Young, who won an SEC title and played for a national championship, could soon be the future face of the franchise in Charlotte.