Updated Panthers mock draft: Will Carolina select C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young at No. 1?

Let the speculation continue.

Following a week of pro days visiting C.J. Stroud (Ohio State), Bryce Young (Alabama), and Will Levis (Kentucky), there is still no consensus on who Carolina will select with the No. 1 pick. Instead, we’ll overanalyze handshakes while flopping back and forth between those three quarterbacks and Flordia’s Anthony Richardson, who is working out at Florida’s pro day on Thursday.

The NFL Draft is about four weeks away. In addition to selecting first, Carolina also picks at No. 39 (second round), No. 93 (third round), 114th and 132nd (fourth round), and 145th (fifth round).

Here is The Observer’s latest full mock draft.

First round: No. 1 pick

▪ Name: Bryce Young

▪ Position: QB

▪ School: Alabama

There is nothing easy about selecting No. 1 this year. None of these quarterbacks are sure-fire prospects like Trevor Lawerence or Andrew Luck. All four have what evaluators consider a potentially fatal flaw.

Young could be too small to endure a 17-game NFL season. Extrapolating what Stroud accomplished at Ohio State from how much more talented his pass catchers and offensive line were is an imperfect science. Levis is two years older than the other QB prospects yet threw more career interceptions than Young and Stroud combined. And Anthony Richardson only has 13 career starts.

Which is why betting on both the upside of Young while also selecting the best all-around quarterback makes the most sense. Young has been considered the best quarterback in college football for two seasons. Evaluators didn’t start mentioning Stroud ahead of Young until Ohio State’s 42-41 Peach Bowl loss to Georiga. Stroud was electric, throwing for 348 yards and four touchdowns.

Stroud played like Young in that game, creating outside the pocket and using his feet to ad-lib. Scouts are hopeful Stroud’s performance was not an outlier. But evaluators all agree Young’s playmaking ability is already baked into his game.

By selecting Young, the Panthers land the most exciting passer of the 2023 class.

Second round: No. 39 pick

▪ Name: Josh Downs

▪ Position: WR

▪ School: North Carolina

Seven teams pick before Carolina in the second round. The Steelers, Texans, Cardinals, Colts, Rams, Seahawks, and Raiders all have positional needs that trump wide receiver. That should help Carolina land Tar Heels receiver Josh Downs.

Downs is a smooth route runner who keeps defensive backs guessing with a diverse set of release moves and in-route hesitations. His hands are strong and he plays bigger than his 171-pound frame suggests. He caught 94 passes for 1,029 yards and scored 11 touchdowns this season.

He’d benefit from learning behind new Panthers receiver Adam Thielen. Downs projects as a volume slot receiver who can also win on the outside thanks to precise route running and his attention to detail. However, at North Carolina, Downs would sometimes freelance too often. He’ll need some time to adapt to the NFL. Playing under Thielen would allow Downs to study the craft of a two-time Pro Bowler. The two have similar playing styles but Downs has more explosive traits. Thielen and the Panthers staff could craft Downs into a Year 2 breakout candidate.

There are other names to watch at No. 39. Jordan Addison (USC), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State), and Zay Flowers (Boston College) are all expected to be drafted in the first round but would benefit Carolina if any were to fall.

Third round: No. 93 pick

▪ Name: Felix Anudike-Uzomah

▪ Position: Edge rusher

▪ School: Kansas State

The Panthers need a power rush opposite Brian Burns. Anudike-Uzomah plays with a firm base and consistently set the edge for the Wildcats.

He’s a jackknifing power edge. Anudike-Uzomah can disrupt a run play or take a direct line to the quarterback. He’ll need to refine his overall pass-rush moves, especially his counter techniques. But his long arms and high motor suggest he’ll be a very productive NFL defensive end.

Carolina could replenish several positions that the team spent draft capital on under the previous regime. It’s unclear how 2021 draft picks Yetur Gross-Matos, Tommy Tremble, Chuba Hubbard, and Keith Taylor are valued under new coach Frank Reich. Selecting Anudike-Uzomah would make Gross-Matos expendable.

Anudike-Uzomah stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 255 pounds. He produced eight sacks and 29 hurries this season.

Fourth round: No. 114 pick

▪ Name: Emmanuel Forbes

▪ Position: CB

▪ School: Mississippi State

Forbes is Pro Football Focus’ No. 7-ranked cornerback prospect. He started for the Bulldogs as a true freshman and intercepted five passes as a 19-year-old. This past season, Forbes intercepted a career-high six passes and returned three for touchdowns. He is considered one of the best ballhawks in the 2023 draft class but also could be a feast-or-famine risk taker at the next level.

The Panthers are still searching for a reliable slot corner. The team could cross-train Forbes to play both outside and nickel. The team did not retain versatile safety, Myles Hartsfield. Safety Jeremy Chinn also struggled as a slot defender last season.

Fourth round: No. 132 pick

▪ Name: Josh Whyle

▪ Position: TE

▪ School: Cincinnati

The Panthers signed Hayden Hurst via free agency, signaling a desire to funnel more passes through a tight end. The position is filled with acquisitions from a previous regime. If the Panthers want to begin moving on from Ian Thomas and Tremble then Whyle is an intriguing developmental option.

Whyle caught 32 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns. He endured inconsistent quarterback play at Cincinnati. He’ll benefit from operating in a competent NFL offense with a tight end emphasis.

Fifth round: No. 145 pick

▪ Name: Andre Carter II

▪ Position: Edge

▪ School: Army

Carter projects as a Day 3 prospect with explosive traits. At Army, he recorded 14.5 sacks in 2021 and established himself as a passionate leader. He’s a bit undersized but he made up for that with quick hands and fast feet. He’s swift around the edge and has a combination of pass-rush moves that are pro-ready.

He ran a 4.9-second 40-yard dash at Army’s pro day, an underwhelming time for his slight 260-pound frame. Carter would benefit from a redshirt season as an NFL rookie. That would help him put on pro football weight while learning from Burns and second-year defensive end Amaré Barno.