NFL Draft 2023: Insider predicts NFC team to land Anthony Richardson with top 5 pick

The 2023 NFL draft is just 50 days away, and quarterback Anthony Richardson is expected to be a top pick.

At least a few teams will look to trade up in the draft, which will be held April 27-29, as it's a deep quarterback class. The Carolina Panthers are one of many teams rumored to be getting ready to trade up.

According to The Athletic's insider, Dane Brugler, the Panthers will swoop up to pick No. 4 to select Richardson. He thinks the Chicago Bears, who hold the No. 1, will trade back to fourth with the Colts, and then will trade back to pick nine with the Panthers.

Here is his projected trade:

Nos. 9, 61 and a 2024 first-round pick to Chicago for pick No. 4.

"As expected, Richardson created a buzz with his on-field combine work, Brugler wrote. "The interview portion was more of a mixed bag, but his natural talent will be too enticing. The word from other teams is that Panthers owner David Tepper is on a mission to invest in a young, exciting quarterback who gives the franchise a long-term direction.

"A Carolina quarterback room of Jacoby Brissett and Anthony Richardson is a plausible scenario for 2023."

Before the draft, free agency will kick off next week. From now until April, teams will look for ways to improve their rosters. Many trades can happen from now until the draft, with teams looking to move up to select a quarterback.

The Carolina Panthers haven't had a franchise quarterback since Cam Newton

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton

The Carolina Panthers have been searching for a franchise quarterback since Cam Newton departed in 2019.

Since Newton left in 2019, the Panthers have had five different starting quarterbacks, including ... Cam Newton.

In 2020, Teddy Bridgewater started all but one game, with P.J. Walker starting that game. In 2021, the team acquired Sam Darnold via trade, and he played 11 games. The team signed Cam Newton for a second stint where started five games, going 0-5. Walker started one game in 2021.

Last season, the Panthers started Baker Mayfield (six games), Sam Darnold (six games) and Walker (five games.)

This year, they don't plan on shuffling through quarterbacks like they have the past few years. The Panthers are expected to be aggressive in trading up to find their franchise QB in the draft.

If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Dane Brugler and The Athletic and H/T Sportskeeda.