Getty Image / Kevin Abele
When the Carolina Panthers traded up to pick 1, many seemed to believe it was clear who they’d be selecting with the pick.
Oddsmakers had Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud as a sizable favorite to be the pick and that was the name fans were expecting to hear called first.
That has changed recently.
Last week, betting odds shifted significantly and it became a pick ’em between Stroud and Alabama QB Bryce Young.
This morning, ESPN’s Mel Kiper even discussed why he believes Young will be the pick.
The change in expectations has caused quite a bit of intrigue over who will end up actually being the first pick in this year’s draft.
There’s just one issue. The Panthers haven’t seemed to actually make their decision yet.
Today, an NFL reporter revealed the expected timeline for when the Panthers will know for sure who they want to draft.
According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, the Panthers will be ready to make their decision after meeting with Stroud and Will Levis next week.
Where are Panthers in their process of deciding which QB to take with No.1 pick as Bryce Young visits today?
My report from @nflnetwork NFL Now: pic.twitter.com/zgJCu8rWir
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) April 11, 2023
“They have not yet made a final decision yet on who they’ll take at the No. 1 pick. They won’t do that until they finish their evaluation, which will conclude next week with C.J. Stroud and Will Levis coming in for a visit.”
Levis visiting definitely shouldn’t have any impact on who the Panthers are going to select 1st overall, but the Stroud visit will be his last chance to lock himself in as the pick.
Luckily for the Panthers, there is no rush for them to actually make this decision. They have their pick of this year’s draft class and don’t really have to have a decision made until they are on the clock in a couple of weeks.
Until they’re on the clock, we’ll all just have to wait and wonder who their franchise quarterback is going to be.