NFL Draft

C.J. Stroud 4MR Draft Profile

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C.J. Stroud (Quarterback #7)

6’3  214 lbs 

21 y/o Junior Ohio State University

(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Games watched: vs UGA (‘22); vs ND (‘22); vs IOWA (‘22); vs WISC (‘22); 

vs TUL (‘21); vs UTAH (‘21)

Summary:

C.J. Stroud hails from Inland Empire, California, where he attended Rancho Cucamonga High School and graduated in 2020. In his recruitment class, he was a top 50 prospect in the nation and 4th ranked in California. After receiving offers from Georgia, Michigan, Baylor, and Boise State, Stroud committed to Ohio State University in December 2019.

Coaches designated Stroud as a redshirt player as a true freshman. In 2021, Stroud played in 12 games, where he threw for 4,435 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Following a stellar year, he was named a Heisman Trophy finalist and eventually finished 4th in the voting. Stroud would receive Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year and First-team All-Big Ten recognitions.

As a redshirt Sophomore in the 2022 season, Stroud threw for 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Once again, he would be named a Heisman finalist but finish 3rd in the voting.

Stroud would become the first QB in Big Ten history to pass for over 30 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. After deliberation, Stroud decided to forgo the final 3 seasons of his eligibility and declare for the NFL Draft.

 

Strengths:

  • Good Velocity
  • Throws with touch
  • Placement & Accuracy
  • Deep ball
  • Threat to all 3 levels of the field
  • Flashed movement skills in and out of the pocket
  • Flashes eye manipulation

Weaknesses:

  • Creation off-script
  • Can have spells of indecisive play
  • vs. pressure
  • Streaky thrower
  • Not elite in terms of arm strength

 

Conclusion:

C.J. Stroud is a highly talented thrower of the football. He has one of the prettiest deep balls in the class, with the ability to drop it in the bucket along the boundary. He also has the ability to exploit the intermediate portions of the field with timing and touch.

Mechanically, he generates natural velocity from a solid base. The team used him more than one would think on the run with Play-action rollouts and boots. When he is in a rhythm, not many can throw a better, more well-placed football than Stroud.

Many will say Stroud is not an excellent athlete, and that would be correct. However, he can make defenses pay for not accounting for his legs.

Many will claim that the Georgia Bowl game answers to Stroud’s reservations, but that game seemed to be an outlier. Stroud must improve at becoming more decisive. He did have moments where he locked on to a read too long.

Stroud would sometimes feel or see the pass rush too late to react. NFL coaching can help him stay on track and improve that internal clock.

As a rhythmic thrower, Stroud would benefit from a system where the offense allows him to build momentum. The game at the next level may need to slow down for him, so he may not be a good option for every team to start immediately. However, if given a patient OC who is willing to build around his strengths and teach on the fly, he is talented enough as a thrower to start.

 

The 4-1-1:

“When in rhythm, he’s surgical with pinpoint accuracy. Think of Klay Thompson for the Golden State Warriors.”

– Will; @4ourmanrush

“Stroud is a pop-warner quarterback in a grown man’s body. He’s not going to go through progressions or improvise. He’s literally throwing the ball to who the coach tells him to throw to. Plus, he from Rancho Cucamonga, California…He soft.”

– Smoove; @4mr_smoove

“I like his ball placement in the tightest of windows. I still question his accuracy on the move and on rollouts.”

– Kevin; @4mr_kountrykev

“He’s a taller QB, but he just isn’t Bryce Young”

– Norris; @norris4mr

 

Best Game vs Worst Game:

 

Overall Grade: 5.95 (Starter by end of Preseason/Game 3)

Bryce Young 4MR Draft Profile

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Bryce Young (Quarterback #9)

5’10 195 lbs
21 y/o Junior Alabama

(Gary Cosby Jr./USA TODAY Sports)

Games watched: vs LSU (‘22); vs UGA (‘21); vs KSU (‘22); vs USU (‘22); vs MISS (‘22); vs AUB (‘22)

Summary:

Bryce Young is from Pasadena, California, where he attended Mater Dei High School. As a recruit, Young was a highly-touted 5-star player, the 2nd-ranked prospect in the nation, and the first-rated dual-threat QB. Young committed to the University of Alabama in September 2019.

As a true freshman, Young spent time behind eventual first-round NFL draft pick Mac Jones. He appeared in 7 games and threw for one touchdown.

In 2021, Bryce Young became the starter for the Crimson Tide and exploded onto the scene. He threw for over 4,800 yards, 47 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and contributed three additional scores on the ground. His performance earned him many post-season awards and accolades, including winning the Heisman Trophy. He is just the 7th underclassman in history to win the award.

In 2022, Bryce Young threw for 3,328 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, adding 4 scores as a rusher. With his production, he became the only QB in Alabama history to pass for over 3,000 yards in multiple seasons. Young was also named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press and PFF.

Young declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on January 3rd, 2023.

Strengths:

  • Excellent football IQ
  • Does an excellent job staying on schedule
  • Very good off-script and throwing on the move
  • Above average athlete
  • Adequate NFL arm and velocity
  • Very rarely puts the ball in danger
  • Vision of a quintessential point guard
  • Great at manipulating arm angles
  • Finds a good platform and throwing lanes consistently

Weaknesses:

  • Desire to make every play
  • Doesn’t have elite arm strength
  • Can abandon clean pockets

Conclusion:

The polarizing part of Young’s evaluations in the media and some draft rooms in the league will undoubtedly be his size (height and weight). However, the tape does not show those areas as legitimate concerns. He does an excellent job maneuvering himself into the best position to make a play, and with good velocity and a variety of arm angles, there are not many dark areas on the field for Young.

Bryce Young is the most polished QB in the class. The feel in the pocket, timing, and ability off-script makes him the most likely to succeed by a healthy margin. Factor in his work ethic and desire to get better, and the ceiling is sky-high for him.

He rarely finds himself not in control snap to snap and shows maturity beyond his years on and off the field. He is at his very best in the 4th Quarter and had among the best 3rd down execution in the country at the QB position.

His desire to make every play is an asset on most snaps, but he would be better off letting plays die in certain scenarios rather than forcing the issue.

There will be an adjustment period to the speed of the game, and the level of his success will depend on what team he ends up on. Young will be able to take over day-1 for a QB-needy team.

The 4-1-1:

“Bryce remains calm during the big-time moments in the game. His deep ball can come out flat at times”

–Kevin Avery; @4MR_KountryKev

“He’s the best QB in a bad QB draft. He’s got dawg in him and doesn’t waiver in big moments. The whole class benefits from how bad the last QB class was, and Bryce is little as hell. You can’t protect a guy from every hit, and he’s on the same field as athletically freakish guys like Aaron Donald — If he gets hit one time, Andy Dalton could be your starter for the rest of the year.”

-Smoove; @4mr_Smoove

Best Game vs. Worst Game:

Overall Grade: 6.5 (Day-1 Starter)

2023 College Prospect Visit List

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-Norris4MR

Draft season is upon us once again! Carolina has pick nine in the first (for now) and all signs point to a quarterback this year. They’ll likely have to move up into the top three if they want to snag one.  Other needs are defensive end, linebacker, corner, safety and tight end. The Panthers currently have two second round picks and a third, but that could change any time before April 27th. Scott Fitterer has been known to make a lot of draft day trades, so it remains to be seen where Carolina actually picks. Last year, the list of visits were very telling on how Carolina was leaning in the draft. It was reported that the Panthers met with 6+ quarterbacks and 6+ offensive tackles. On day one of the combine this year, Carolina met with six quarterbacks. Let’s get this 2023 show on the road!
**UPDATE** Carolina has traded up to number one! They gave up picks 9, 61, 2024 first, 2025 second and WR DJ Moore. Now the Panthers get their QB and control the draft board. They also need a WR1.

Here is a list of college prospects with whom we’ve met. With help from the  @4ourmanrush crew as well as @DraftMassta (Twitter), we find any and all reported college prospect visits by our Carolina Panthers. We will add more as we get more info. **UPDATE** Top 30 visits and local visits are at the bottom of the page. 

**If the name is blue, it means there’s a Draft Network or 4 Man Rush draft profile linked to the player, if available. Click on the link to learn about the players**

QUARTERBACKS

• Bryce Young – Alabama

6’0  195 lbs

• CJ Stroud – Ohio State

6’3  215 lbs

• Anthony Richardson – Florida

6’4  231 lbs

• Will Levis – Kentucky

6’3  222 lbs

• Hendon Hooker – Tennessee

6’4  220 lbs

• Max Duggan – TCU

6’2  201 lbs

RUNNING BACKS

• Zach Charbonnet – UCLA

6’1  220 lbs

• Holton Ahlers – East Carolina

6’3  230 lbs

• Jahleel McLaughlin – Youngstown State

5’7  187 lbs

• Zach Evans – Mississippi State

6’0  215 lbs

• Kendre Miller – TCU

6’0  218 lbs

WIDE RECEIVERS

• Jacory Rankin – Mississippi Valley State

5’9  181 lbs

• Jalen Hyatt – Tennessee

6’0  175 lbs

• Grant Dubose – Charlotte

6’1  201 lbs

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Ohio State

6’0  198 lbs

• Jonathan Mingo – Mississippi State

6’2  225 lbs

• Charlie Jones – Purdue

6’0  180 lbs

• Xavier Gipson – Stephen F. Austin

5’9  170 lbs

TIGHT ENDS

• Daniel Barker – Michigan

6’4  250 lbs

•  Sam LaPorta – Iowa

6’4  249 lbs

•  Darnell Washington – Georgia

6’7  265lbs

OFFENSIVE TACKLES

• Jaelyn Duncan – Maryland

6’6  315 lbs


GUARDS

• Anthony Bradford – LSU

6’4  332 lbs

• Nick Saldiveri – Old Dominion

6’6  307 lbs

• Chandler Zavala – NC State

6’5  325 lbs


CENTERS

 

DEFENSIVE ENDS

• Andrew Farmer – Lane

6’4  260 lbs

• BJ Ojulari– LSU

6’3  244 lbs

• Derick Hall – Auburn

6’3  251 lbs

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

• Jalen Carter – Georgia

6’3  310 lbs

LINEBACKERS

• Trenton Simpson – Clemson

6’3  240 lbs

• Dorian Williams – Tulane

6’1  220 lbs

• Drew Sanders – Arkansas

6’5  232 lbs

• Jack Campbell – Iowa

6’5  245 lbs

• Bumper Pool – Arkansas

6’2  232 lbs

• Daiyan Henley – Washington State

6’2  232 lbs

• Byron Young – Tennessee

6’3  243 lbs


CORNERS

• Julius Brents – Kansas State

6’4  204 lbs

• Garrett Williams – Syracuse

6’0  190 lbs

• Joey Porter – Penn State

6’2  194 lbs

• Darius Rush – South Carolina

6’2  200lbs

SAFETIES

 

KICKERS

 

PUNTERS

 

TOP 30/LOCAL VISITS

1. OL Anthony Bradford
2. QB CJ Stroud
3. QB Bryce Young
4. QB Will Levis
5. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
6. RB Zach Evans
7. LB Bumper Pool
8. DE BJ Ojulari
9. OL Nick Saldiveri (Local) 
10. CB Joey Porter
11. OL Chandler Zavala (Local)
12. WR Charlie Jones
13. QB Anthony Richardson
14. WR Jonathan Mingo
15. DE Derick Hall (Virtual)
16. WR Xavier Gipson
17. OL Steve Avila
18. WR Derius Davis
19. CB Julius Brents
20. CB Darius Rush (Local)
21. LB Daiyan Henley
22. TE Darnell Washington
23. TE Sam LaPorta
24. OT Jaelyn Duncan
25. OLB Byron Young
26. RB Kendre Miller

Matt Corral 4MR Profile

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Matt Corral (Quarterback #2)

6’2 212 lbs

23 y/o Redshirt Junior University of Mississippi

(Carleigh Holt-The Grove Report)

Games watched: AUB(’20), ARK(’20), AUB(’21), LOU(’21), LSU(’21), BAMA(’21)

Summary:

Matt Corral is from Ventura, California, and attended football powerhouse Long Beach Polytechnic High School. He was a 4-star recruit in the class of 2018.

Corral received nine total scholarship offers from the University of California Los Angeles, the University of Texas A&M, Michigan University, the University of Georgia, Arizona State University, the University of Southern California, the University of Florida, and the University of Alabama. He enrolled at the University of Mississippi on January 10th, 2018.

Corral appeared in 4 games as a true freshman before being placed under redshirt designation. Before the redshirt, Corral threw for 239 yards, 2 touchdowns, and one interception. He added 83 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground.

In 2019, Corral played in 10 games, with 4 starts at QB. As he played in a two QB system, Corral led the team in passing yards with 1,362. He tossed 6 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. Corral also contributed 135 rushing yards and one rushing score.

Corral earned the starting QB job for the abbreviated 2020 season, starting all 10 games for Ole Miss. His passing tally took a sizeable leap, throwing for 3,337 yards with 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. In addition, Corral’s rushing production improved, with 506 yards and 4 more TDs. He would become a finalist for the Manning and Davey O’Brien Awards and make the Maxwell award watch list.

Corral played in all 13 contests for the Rebels and threw for 3,349 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, with a career-best 614 yards and 11 scores on the ground. He was an award finalist for the Manning, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, Maxwell, Davey O’Brien, and Walter Camp Player of the Year Awards for his performance.

Corral announced that he would forgo his final year of NCAA eligibility to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft after playing in the Sugar Bowl on January 1st, 2022. In the contest against the Baylor University Bears, he injured his ankle in the first quarter.

While not severe enough to require surgery, Corral’s injury held him out of field drills at the NFL Combine, and he finally threw for scouts at the Ole Miss pro day on March 24th, 2022.

Strengths:

  • Mobility in the pocket
  • Moves and resets to a good base to throw
  • Flashes juice as a running threat
  • Competitor, not an easy tackle
  • Lightning quick release
  • Manipulates arm angles; works off-platform
  • Good arm strength
  • Flashes ability to make quick decisions
  • Adept at finding holes in between zones

Weaknesses:

  • Far hash to sideline throws late often
  • Predetermined reads
  • Inconsistent at pulling the plug on quick designs
  • Hospital balls

Conclusion:

Matt Corral has the mental makeup that an NFL team would desire, and had it not been for the nagging ankle injury, he might’ve entrenched himself as the first or second QB in the class.

As a thrower, the football leaves Corral’s hand extremely fast. If you blink, you will miss his windup. The speed of his windup also leads him to have a deadly pump fake.

The quick windup, coupled with a good habit of setting his feet, also lends to good velocity on throws. The ability to attack holes in zone coverage is apparent because of the velocity. In addition, Corral flashes the ability to react to the rush and return to a solid throwing base.

Corral is a gritty competitor who forces defenders to earn a sack or tackle on the ground. He doesn’t shy away from contact and is a slippery target in the pocket. He is similarly aggressive beyond the scrimmage line, where he flashes some burst as a rusher.

Even with his fast windup and decision-making, throws are late from the far hash to the sideline. A part of this struggle could be route timing.

Arm strength is not a concern for Corral’s deep ball; however, the accuracy of the long ball can be up and down at times. The deep ball did not appear to be a primary function of the scheme.

At times Corral seemed to make predetermined decisions when the read was not there. Even if these plays were one read, it would be more advantageous to let the play die than force the read. Defenders adapted to the scheme and began sitting on quick slants and flat concepts.

Corral’s aggressive playstyle leads him to attack holes in coverage, but this also leads him to throw into windows that are too tight, making his receivers vulnerable to hits. He is more aggressive than many would like their QB to be on the ground.

For Corral’s development at the next level, coaches might find having him slow down his process will help him see the field better.

Schematically, I would like to see Corral in a West Coast system with a vertical attacking aspect. The system will exaggerate holes in the zones by forcing the defense to sit in the box. Corral is exceptional at letting his guys work in space, which is a staple of the West Coast offense.

Coaches will need to help develop those hash to far sideline throws and out-breaking concepts.

Corral has the arm talent to do both.

Average performance grade: 61.3 / 100

Overall Grade: 5.40 (starter in 1-2 years)

2022 College Prospect Visit List

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It’s draft season! The Panthers are drafting at pick six in the first, with no picks on day two. This could change, as we all know Scott Fitterer doesn’t mind trading back in the draft. Last year, Scott made five draft day trades to move around and get his guys. All signs point to either a left tackle or quarterback in the first, but who knows what will happen. This is definitely a make-or-break draft for head coach Matt Rhule.

Here is a list of college prospects with whom we’ve met. With help from the  @4ourmanrush crew, we find any and all reported college prospect visits by our Carolina Panthers. We will add more as we get more info.

**If the name is blue, it means there’s a Draft Network or 4 Man Rush draft profiles linked to the player, if available. Click on the link to learn about the players**

QUARTERBACKS

• Malik Willis – Liberty

6’0  225 lbs

• Kenny Pickett – Pittsburgh

6’3  220 lbs

• Matt Corral – Ole Miss

6’2  212 lbs

• Desmond Ridder – Cincinnati

6’4  216 lbs

• Sam Howell – North Carolina

6’1  220 lbs

• Bailey Zappe – Western Kentucky

6’1  215 lbs

RUNNING BACKS

• Isaiah Spiller – Texas A&M

6’1  215 lbs

• Tyrion Davis-Price

6’1  232 lbs

• Jerome Ford – Cincinnati

5’11  220 lbs

• Brian Robinson Jr. – Alabama

6’1  226 lbs

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

• Jaquarii Roberson – Wake Forest

6’1  182 lbs

• Treylon Burks – Arkansas

6’2  225 lbs

• Velus Jones – Tennessee

6’0  190 lbs

• Corey Sutton – Appalachian State

6’0  206 lbs

• Garrett Wilson – Ohio State

6’0  183 lbs

 

TIGHT ENDS

 

OFFENSIVE TACKLES

• Jean Delance – Florida

6’5  296 lbs

• Ikem Ekwonu – NC State

6’4  310 lbs

• Rasheed Walker – Penn State

6’6  304 lbs

• Evan Neal – Alabama

6’7  337 lbs

• Charles Cross – Mississippi State

6’5  305 lbs

• Logan Bruss – Wisconsin

6’5  316 lbs

 


GUARDS

• Cole Strange – Tennessee

6’6  307 lbs

 

CENTERS

 

DEFENSIVE ENDS

• Travon Walker – Georgia

6’5  272 lbs

• Amare Barno – Virginia Tech

6’5  245 lbs

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

 

LINEBACKERS

• Chad Muma – Wyoming

6’3  237 lbs

CORNERS

• Tariq Woolen – Texas-San Antonio

6’4  205 lbs

• Marcus Jones – Houston

5’8  174 lbs

• Jonathan Alexander – UNC Charlotte

6’3  212 lbs

• Samuel Womack – Toledo

5’10  187 lbs

SAFETIES

 

KICKERS

 

PUNTERS

Kenny Pickett 4MR Profile

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Kenny Pickett (Quarterback #8)

6’3 220 lbs 

23 y/o Senior University of Pittsburgh

(Bob Donnan-USA Today Sports)

Games watched: CLEM(’20), FSU(’20), UMASS(’21), TEN(’21), CLEM(’21), WAKE(’21)

Summary:

Kenny Pickett is from Oakhurst, New Jersey, and attended Ocean Township High School. He was a three-star recruit in the 2017 class and heavily recruited.

He received 11 scholarship offers from the University of North Carolina, The University of Connecticut, Coastal Carolina University, Boston College, and Temple University. Pickett enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh on January 11th, 2017.

Pickett’s first game action would come as a freshman, playing in 4 games and starting in one. He would play well enough to be handed the reigns as a true sophomore.

In his first season as the full-time starter, Pickett would amass 1,969 passing yards, with 12 TDs and 6 interceptions. He would add 220 yards and three scores as a rusher.

Pickett started all but two contests the following season and contributed 3,098 passing yards, 13 TDs, and 9 interceptions. He gained 110 yards and scored three additional times, one being a receiving touchdown.

In the 2020 season, Pickett would play in only nine games. He threw for 2,408 yards, 13 TDs, and 9 interceptions. He also rushed for 8 touchdowns.

Players received an extra season of eligibility following the COVID-19 outbreak, and Pickett used this opportunity to have the best season of his collegiate career by far.

In 2021, Pickett played in 13 games and improved his production in every category as he threw for 4,319 yards, 42 TDs, and 7 interceptions. On the ground, he gained 233 yards and 5 scores.

His performance in 2021 obviously would lend him the national spotlight, as he took home the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the ACC Offensive player and Overall Player of the Year award. He would also finish 3rd in Heisman voting.

Pickett would participate in the ACC championship game, where his 253 passing yards, two touchdown passes, and 58 yard TD rush would lift the Pitt Panthers over Wake Forrest. He declared for the draft after their ACC victory.

Strengths:

  • Athlete who moves very well
  • Flashes some juice in the open field
  • Above-average arm strength
  • Drove throws much better in 2021 (mechanical improvement)
  • Shines in the middle of the field and intermediate throws
  • Pocket awareness might be best in the class
  • Talented thrower on the run

Weaknesses:

  • Velocity throws mostly intermediate
  • Deep ball can float on him at times
  • Can stare down the first read sometimes

Conclusion:

There is a valid argument for Pickett to be the first QB off the board, and he could easily have the fastest start to his career of all the rookies.

Pickett is an athlete who is pocket savvy and has some talent and burst as a runner, which will translate into the league. It’s an area of his game where he could lean on even more if he goes to a team that will have him start right away.

The jump Pickett made from 2020 to 2021 as a passer shows his willingness and attention to detail. That development has put him ahead of the curve as far as polish goes.

He improved his feet. When he has a solid base, velocity throws are better. His athleticism helps him set and move his base as needed. He also has off-script talent, so he can still get a good pass when he can’t set his feet perfectly.

Even with these improvements, he will need a coaching staff to help him stay on the right track. The off-platform throws are good, but he tends to fall away while throwing a pass.

The media made a big deal of his hand size. It’s a non-factor to me. 

The fit for Pickett is likely going to be a west coast styled offense. In this playstyle, he is given plenty of route patterns in the middle intermediate section of the field, which is his strength. This scheme also allows him to work outside of the pocket with designed rollouts.

Average performance grade: 66.9 / 100

Overall Grade: 5.55 (starter in 1-2 years)