There will be a lot going on for the Carolina Panthers and the other 31 teams at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. So, let’s try to make it a bit easier.
Here are four prospects—one for each day of the on-field drills—to keep an eye on in Indianapolis this week.
Thursday: IDL Bryan Bresee (Clemson)
Panthers fans may already be somewhat familiar with Bresee, who hasn’t been too far away over at Clemson University. And given his potential fit in a 3-4 base, the 2020 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year may be a nice fit for them.
Bresee could carry some potency for Carolina’s defense, which is set to make the switch to a three-man front under coordinator Ejiro Evero. If he can shake his injury history and test well on Thursday, the 6-foot-5, 305-pounder may be a second-day option for the Panthers.
Friday: CB Christian Gonzalez (Oregon)
It became abundantly clear that the Panthers need answers at cornerback (other than Jaycee Horn) after their late-season routing by Mike Evans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. One answer could be Gonzalez, who is amongst the most talented athletes in the class.
Should he excel at the combine as anticipated, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound defensive back may be worth the team’s first-round pick—that is, if a signal caller is not available. Gonzalez would be ready to start right across from Horn in Evero’s defense.
Saturday: QB Anthony Richardson (Florida)
We know the Panthers will be heavily focused on the quarterback class. But Richardson may get the closest look of all on Saturday.
With Bryce Young and CJ Stroud likely out of reach, the sky-high potential of Richardson should be even more pertinent to the Panthers. If the 6-foot-4, 231-pound dynamo can impress with his arm as much as he’ll likely impress with his athleticism, then he may be worth a (slightly smaller) jump up the order.
Sunday: RB Tyjae Spears (Tulane)
Even if D’Onta Foreman sticks around, the Panthers will need to find versatile playmakers out of the backfield to help head coach Frank Reich’s offense function. Spears could be the running back for the job.
Spears shined at the Senior Bowl and showed he is a true dual-threat, with excellent pass-catching ability and explosion as a runner. He could fill the Nyheim Hines role that Reich featured in Indianapolis and potentially develop into something more in the future.
