After the Carolina Panthers traded up to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft back in March, C.J. Stroud was immediately pegged as the most likely option. He and Bryce Young are considered the 1A and 1B of this class and the closest to finished products. Stroud has the physical profile of quarterbacks new Panthers head coach Frank Reich historically favors. It lined up from just about every point of view and as such Stroud has been thought of as the presumptive top selection for the last month.

That began to change earlier this week. When Mel Kiper Jr. posted his latest mock draft on Monday, he had the Panthers taking Young No. 1 overall, citing his coworkers' inside reporting that there's been some noise connecting the Heisman Trophy winner to Carolina. Via ESPN:

"Young or C.J. Stroud? Stroud or Young? I think the Panthers are homing in on one of these passers after they traded up to No. 1. In my post-free agency mock draft, I went with Stroud, who fits the physical mold of quarterbacks new Carolina coach Frank Reich has worked with over the past decade. I've heard too many rumblings about the front office and coaches liking Young, though, and my pals Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter believe Young is the guy as well."