NFL Draft Rumors: Some Influential Panthers Voices Favor Bryce Young Over C.J. Stroud

The Carolina Panthers apparently aren't as set on taking C.J. Stroud with the No. 1 overall pick as the odds would presume.

Peter King of NBC Sports reported there are "several influential voices" within the Panthers organization that prefer Bryce Young to Stroud. That said, new Carolina coach Frank Reich reportedly strongly prefers a taller quarterback to run his system—something that would rule out the 5-foot-10 Young.

DraftKings Sportsbook currently has Stroud as a -330 favorite to be the top selection.

Reich has never coached a starting quarterback who measures smaller than 6'2". During his five-year tenure as Indianapolis Colts coach, Reich also tended to gravitate toward more standard pocket passers than dual threats who extend plays with their legs.

Stroud measured in at 6'3" at the combine and projects more as a pocket passer than a dual threat. While the Ohio State product does have enough mobility to occasionally scramble, his appeal is his accuracy and poise in the pocket.

A version of Young who measures at 6'3" instead of 5'10" would have been the no-questions-asked No. 1 overall pick. The Alabama product has all of the accuracy and pocket poise tools Stroud possesses, along with being an excellent scrambler outside the pocket. The only true concern with Young is his size and slight build, which causes understandable concern regarding his ability to withstand hits in the pocket.

Reich told reporters last month to not "read anything" into his history at quarterback, noting he had a high grade on Russell Wilson in 2012.

Young and Stroud are nearly locks to be taken 1-2 at the top of the draft regardless of order. The Houston Texans own the No. 2 overall pick.