2023 NFL Draft forecast: Where are Panthers positioned in first round entering Week 7?

The Carolina Panthers are off to a miserable 1-5 start, but a silver lining could be on its way in the form of a top-three selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.

With the quarterback depth chart in shambles, having a top pick to target a standout quarterback prospect like Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud or Alabama’s Bryce Young could help the Panthers turn things around for the future.

A top-five pick could also entice a potential top-tier head coaching candidate to replace Matt Rhule, as the ammunition for a self-picked quarterback is intriguing.

So, as the Panthers slump out of the gate, there is a reason to follow the Carolina’s draft outlook as early as Week 7. As of Tuesday, the Panthers own the worst record in the NFL, which would give them claim to the first overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft.

Which teams could threaten the Panthers for the top pick?

The Las Vegas Raiders (1-4), Detroit Lions (1-4) and Houston Texans (1-3-1) all had an open date in Week 6. The Panthers don’t have a bye until Week 13.

The Raiders and Lions are a half-game behind the Panthers in the route to the first overall pick. The Texans are an entire game behind.

There are also eight teams lagging behind that trio with identical 2-4 records.

What lies ahead for the Panthers?

The Panthers’ next four games are pivotal, as interim head coach Steve Wilks will lead the team against NFC South rivals in three of the next four matchups.

Week 7: vs. Buccaneers (3-3)

Week 8: @ Falcons (3-3)

Week 9: @ Bengals (3-3)

Week 10: vs. Falcons (3-3)

If the Panthers can’t make headway during that stretch, with the Buccaneers, Bengals and Falcons all middling through the first half of the season, then the attention of Carolina’s fan base is likely to shift to the long-term future.

However, if the Panthers can win two of those three NFC South matchups and pull off a road upset against the Bengals, Carolina will be back on track to contend for the division. Obviously, that result would harm the team’s first-round draft standing, but also solidify Wilks as a favorable candidate for the permanent head coaching job.

Panthers’ slated 2023 NFL Draft picks

- First round (original)

- Second round (original)

- Fourth round (original)

- Fifth round (original)

The Panthers traded their 2023 third- and sixth-round picks to the New England Patriots in separate deals.

Last year, GM Scott Fitterer sent the 2023 sixth-round pick to New England in a package for cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The 2023 third-round pick was sent to the Patriots in this year’s draft so the Panthers could climb up in the third round and select quarterback Matt Corral.

The Panthers traded their 2023 seventh-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for wideout Laviska Shenault in September.

This story was originally published October 18, 2022 at 12:53 PM with the headline "2023 NFL Draft forecast: Where are Panthers positioned in first round entering Week 7?."

Mike Kaye

The Charlotte Observer

Mike Kaye writes about the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. He also co-hosts “Processing Blue: A Panthers Podcast” for The Observer. Kaye’s work in columns/analysis and sports feature writing has been honored by the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA). His reporting has also received recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. Support my work with a digital subscription