Report: Carolina Panthers brass meets with QB CJ Stroud ahead of Ohio State Pro Day

The Carolina Panthers reportedly met with C.J. Stroud ahead of his pro day at Ohio State, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

If there are any indications the Panthers want to draft Stroud with the No. 1 overall pick, they seem quite interested. New head coach Frank Reich has the pick of the litter after the team traded with the Chicago Bears for the top spot.

However, the Panthers have yet to make an official decision regarding Stroud.

“The Panthers met with Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud on Tuesday in advance of today’s pro day throwing session and plan to have another private meeting with Stroud before the draft in Charlotte, per sources,” Pelissero wrote on Twitter. “A thorough process as Carolina ponders the No. 1 pick.”

It seems like the draft is the way to go for the Panthers, when it comes to a quarterback. General manager Scott Fitterer was asked about a potential free agent acquisition of Lamar Jackson.

While that’d give the Panthers an MVP at quarterback, Fitterer said it was an “expensive option.” Stroud on a rookie deal could pay off and get developed under Reich.

Stroud was a two-time Heisman finalist for Ohio State. He led the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff this past season and won a Rose Bowl during his first year as a starter.

In his college career, Stroud had 8,123 yards, 85 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 69.3% completion percentage.

The projections pointed towards a quarterback for the Panthers. Which quarterback will suit up in black and blue? That remains to be seen.

Although it’s all but a guarantee for Carolina to select a signal caller on draft day, per ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.

“Figuring out QB1,” Kiper said on SportsCenter. “Now they’re in a position to get that QB1, own this division for a long time but they hit on that quarterback at nine, they probably weren’t gonna get any of the top three, maybe even top four. Now these pro days are coming up the 22nd of March: C.J. Stroud, 23rd Bryce Young, 24th Will Levis, very important.

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“Anthony Richardson‘s the 30th of March, but the top three right now, three horse race, Bryce Young, you’re gonna take the outlier with size. There hasn’t been a quarterback this size go in the first round ever. C.J. Stroud is red hot. They’re gonna QB1 off their board, guaranteed now, by making this monumental deal.”