Panthers 'All In' on Anthony Richardson?

Trading up to the first pick in the draft to take the quarterback of their choosing may be a bit challenging for the Carolina Panthers, considering they hold the 9th overall pick in this year's draft. With other QB-needy teams ahead of them such as Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and Atlanta, the Chicago Bears are more likely to swing a deal with them than slide down eight spots in the draft order.

If that is the case, Carolina could stay put at No. 9 and still get a talented quarterback. According to Matt Miller of ESPN, the Panthers have a lot of interest in Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson.

"You definitely get the sense that they're all in on Anthony Richardson. The athleticism is there. The arm strength is there. And you hear that this offensive staff, led by Frank Reich, they believe they can develop a quarterback with guys like Jim Caldwell, Thomas Brown, who they bring in from the L.A. Rams. So, you're going to do a lot of vertical things down the field. I think there's a good situation for Richardson. A top 10 pick, which we're all expecting. You can bring back Sam Darnold, who can really hold the door for a year and let someone like Richardson develop. I think you get him on the field immediately, see some packages for him. A lot like we saw at Florida in 2021, but then you get him ready to be that starter in 2024. I do think this is an ideal situation for him."

Richardson has a cannon for an arm and is unquestionably the best running quarterback in the draft. If he can become more consistent with his arm, he could be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He's the true definition of a boom-or-bust talent. This past season, Richardson threw for 2,549 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions completing only 53.8% of his pass attempts. He also rushed for 654 yards and nine touchdowns on 103 carries.

Richardson isn't the only quarterback the Panthers will be heavily interested in, though. Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Alabama's Bryce Young, and Kentucky's Will Levis will also give them something to think about. It's way too early in the draft process to tell which direction Carolina is leaning in regard to the quarterbacks in this class, but if they do stick at No. 9, Richardson is certainly a candidate for that pick.

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