The Carolina Panthers have been on the clock, unofficially, since making a blockbuster trade last month to acquire the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft and get their choice of potential franchise quarterbacks.
There’s still no general consensus on who that will be, either among outside observers or the Panthers themselves, who are doing their due diligence as they try to make a decision. There’s a lot at stake. In their swap with the Chicago Bears, the Panthers traded four picks — including No. 9 overall this year and a first-rounder in 2024 — along with wide receiver DJ Moore to give new coach Frank Reich a quarterback to build around.
All of the picks will be revealed April 27-29 in Kansas City, Missouri; here’s the AP’s mock draft of the first round and predictions for all 31 selections that night.
1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago): C.J. Stroud, quarterback, Ohio State
At 6-foot-3, 214 pounds, his size gives him an edge over his closest competitor in the race for No. 1. He has a strong, accurate arm and possesses the leadership ability and other intangibles that Reich values.
2. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, quarterback, Alabama
The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner would become the face of the Texans and allow them to move past the Deshaun Watson era. Young’s size (5-10, 204) is below standard for his position in the NFL, but it was never a problem when he competed with the Crimson Tide in the daunting Southeastern Conference. He can make every throw, has strong pocket presence and is a dynamic playmaker.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson, edge rusher, Alabama
New coach Jonathan Gannon benefited from having a dominant line last season as defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, who won the NFC championship. Anderson is the best pass rusher in the draft, and Arizona has to replace Zach Allen and T.J. Watt.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, quarterback, Florida
Another pick inspired by the Eagles. New coach Stane Steichen, the former offensive coordinator in Philadelphia, had tremendous success with quarterback Jalen Hurts. Colts owner Jim Irsay is a big fan of Hurts’ style. Richardson has incredible athleticism, a strong arm and elite talent, but he needs time to work on accuracy and mechanics.
5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos): Jalen Carter, defensive tackle, Georgia
Before his off-field trouble this past winter, he was a potential No. 1 overall pick if the Bears didn’t trade down. He’s too talented to slip further and is the right fit for the Seahawks and coach Pete Carroll.
6. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams): Devon Witherspoon, cornerback, Illinois
He has slid on some draft charts probably because a hamstring injury limited his workouts. He was impressive at his school’s pro day and is widely considered the top cover cornerback available. The Lions had the NFL’s second-worst pass defense in 2022.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson, edge rusher, Texas Tech
Size, build, speed — he has it all for an edge rusher. The Raiders can team him up with Maxx Crosby to get after the elite quarterbacks in the AFC West Division.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Myles Murphy, edge rusher, Clemson
He would instantly upgrade the pass rush capabilities of a defense that had the NFL’s second-fewest sacks in 2022.
9. Chicago Bears (from Carolina): Peter Skoronski, offensive tackle, Northwestern
The Bears need to protect quarterback Justin Fields, and it starts with Skoronski covering his blind side.
10. Houston (mock trade from Philadelphia via New Orleans Saints): Lukas Van Ness, edge rusher, Iowa
After taking Young at No. 2, the Texans swing a deal in our first mock trade and move up to grab an elite edge rusher in Van Ness.
11. Tennessee Titans: Will Levis, quarterback, Kentucky
The Titans can’t pass up this opportunity to take Levis. He didn’t have eye-popping stats at Kentucky, but at 6-4, 229, he has size, build, makeup and experience in a pro-style offense that teams desire.
12. Philadelphia (mock trade from Houston via Cleveland Browns): Nolan Smith, edge rusher, Georgia
He joins former Bulldogs teammates Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean on a revamped defense in Philly.
13. New York Jets: Paris Johnson, offensive tackle, Ohio State
He has all the physical tools and intangibles to anchor the line, protect Aaron Rodgers and help the Jets improve their ground game.
14. New England Patriots: Christian Gonzalez, cornerback, Oregon
He would be an immediate starter for head coach Bill Belichick’s defense, giving the Patriots the bigger cornerback they lack in the secondary.
15. Seattle Seahawks (mock trade from Green Bay Packers): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, wide receiver, Ohio State
Seattle moves up to to make Smith-Njigba the first receiver taken in this draft. He then teams up with Tyler Lockett and DK Metclaf to give Geno Smith another dynamic target.
16. Washington Commanders: Joey Porter Jr., cornerback, Penn State
The Commanders add a physical cornerback by drafting the son of a former Pro Bowl linebacker.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Broderick Jones, offensive tackle, Georgia
The Steelers get an athletic left tackle to protect Kenny Pickett’s blind side.
18. Detroit: Calijah Kancey, defensive tackle, Pittsburgh
After selecting a cornerback earlier, the Lions continue to bolster a poor defense with an interior D-lineman who can get after the quarterback.
19. Kansas City Chiefs (mock trade from Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Darnell Wright, offensive tackle, Tennessee
The Super Bowl champions move up to select a right tackle after more turnover on their offensive line.
20. Green Bay (mock trade from Seattle): Dalton Kincaid, tight end, Utah
He would quickly become Jordan Love’s go-to target as the quarterback settles into a starting role.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Zay Flowers, wide receiver, Boston College
He slots in nicely with veterans Mike Williams and Keenan Allen.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Cam Smith, cornerback, South Carolina
He can provide immediate help for a pass defense that finished 26th.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Addison, wide receiver, Southern California
He is polished enough to instantly step in to replace Adam Thielen.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Mayer, tight end, Notre Dame
He upgrades the run game and pass game by giving Trevor Lawrence a potential top target.
25. New York Giants: Jalin Hyatt, wide receiver, Tennessee
He can add game-breaking speed to the Giants’ offense.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Bijan Robinson, running back, Texas
Having cut Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys replace him with the best back in the draft.
27. Buffalo Bills: Jack Campbell, linebacker, Iowa
The 2022 Dick Butkus award winner replaces Tremaine Edwards.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Deonte Banks, cornerback, Maryland
A physical, athletic cornerback is just what the Bengals’ depleted secondary needs.
29. New Orleans (from San Francisco 49ers): Mazi Smith, defensive tackle, Michigan
In a draft stocked with interior defensive linemen, he’s a big man with freakish athletic skills.
30. Chicago (mock trade from Philadelphia): Bryan Bresee, defensive tackle, Clemson
The Bears move back into the first round to get a run-stuffing tackle.
31. Tampa Bay (mock trade from Kansas City): Brian Branch, safety, Alabama
After trading back, Bucs get a safety many have them taking at 19.