CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carolina PanthersCoach Matt Rhule, and the new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, were present in nearly every television photograph and television shot this week at pro-days top NFL quarterback prospects Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh, Liberty’s Malik Willis and Mississippi’s Matt Corral.
Scott Fitterer, the general manager, was almost as visible as Dan Morgan (assistant general manager).
So either the Panthers want the NFL world to know they’re strongly considering a quarterback with the No. 6 pick of the April draft, or they’re tossing up a big smoke screen to divert attention.
It was not a smoke screen.
You missed out on the opportunity to acquire the Houston Texans‘ Deshaun WatsonWho chose the Cleveland BrownsThe Panthers have turned their attention to the draft and are now focusing on their quarterbacks. even though Fitterer saidFriday Sam Darnold “was in the lead for the job.’’
It’s time for a team to use only one draft pick on a new quarterback. Cam NewtonThe top pick of 2011 was West Virginia’s. That pick was West Virginia’s Will GrierHe was an imposter in 2019.
Fitterer agrees that building a team around a young quarterback will lead to long-term success because of the high price of veteran quarterbacks.
Carolina’s current recipe of recycled quarterbacks isn’t working for sure. In the past four seasons, seven Panthers’ quarterbacks have played at least one of their games. Four of them have played in double-digits.
The Panthers are now 16-41 since Newton injured his shoulder in 2018’s 6-2 start. Over the past three seasons, Carolina’s 15-34 record is the fifth-worst in the NFL behind the Jacksonville Jaguars (10-39), Detroit Lions (11-36-2), New York Jets(13-36). New York Giants (14-35).
This is due in large part to poor quarterback play.
This doesn’t mean Carolina will use the sixth pick on a quarterback. Left tackle, which has been in flux for a while, is still needed. Jordan GrossAfter the 2013 season, the team was retired.
However, it does mean that the quarterback is in high demand after Fitterer has strengthened a number of positions in free-agent.
Let’s take a closer look:
In free agency, you can set up the draft
The Panthers No. 1 free agency goalwas to improve the offensive lines. Fitterer did this with Los Angeles RamsGuard Austin CorbettGuard/Center Bradley Bozeman. Add them to a right tackle line Taylor MotonThe largest hole that remains is left to be filled is the one you have not yet tackled.
The Panthers have been pumping up Brady ChristensenA third-round selection last year, who did a good job at left tackle in the final two games. They are now somewhat comfortable there.
Unless Alabama’s Evan Neal or N.C. State’s Ikem EkwonuNo. 6. This is most unlikely, according the majority. mock draftsCarolina would likely trade down or look for another position. There is no consensus about the Mississippi State offensive tackle Charles CrossIt is worth a top-six pick.
That puts a quarterback in the game. If the Panthers believe Pickett, Willis or Corral fills what they’re looking for — a quarterback with a big arm, big football IQ and big legs — then there’s no reason to look further.
Mel Kiper is an ESPN draft analyst who isn’t high on the quarterback classThe Panthers could be at No. 6, Atlanta FalconsNo. 8 or Seattle SeahawksAt No. 9 Take one. Specifically, you will need to draft Willis.
Kiper calls Willis a “right-handed version of Michael Vick,’’ and really the only quarterback worthy of a reach in the top 10.
Jordan Reid, ESPN draft analyst is so bullish on Willis that they have him going No. 2 to Detroit. Reid still believes Pickett could be taken by the Panthers, even though he once made a commitment to Rhule as Temple’s head coach.
“Carolina can’t put Sam Darnold or Cam Newton out there again,’’ Reid said. “This is a make-or-break year for Matt Rhule.’’
The Panthers also signed cornerbacks to strengthen their secondary position. Donte JacksonAnd Rashaan MelvinTo play with the 2021 first-round selection Jaycee HornFirst-round selection for 2020 (Jacksonville). CJ Henderson.
Carolina also reinforced the safety spot Xavier WoodsLinebacker and middle linebacker Cory LittletonAnd Damien Wilson. It included defensive tackle Matt IoannidisTo play alongside 2020’s first-round pick Derrick Brown.
That doesn’t eliminate a defensive lineman from being the sixth pick, but based on Fitterer’s free-agent moves, quarterback and left tackle easily stand out, if all other things are close.
Left tackle vs. quarterback
It is possible to win even without a left tackle from the franchise. Cincinnati reached the Super Bowl with Joe BurrowBetween the regular season, and the playoffs, being sacked 70 more times.
Hugh Freeze, Liberty’s coach, reminded everyone that no playoff team did a good job protecting Willis, so that player must have great mobility.
Willis is the best option from this perspective. That’s why Kiper says the 22-year-old might be worth a “flyer.’’
He compared Willis to Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert. He reminded everyone that Allen was No. 3 in 2018’s quarterback selections. 7 overall, Herbert was No. 3 in 2020. 6 overall.
“You’re betting on the talent,’’ Kiper said. “They did a lot better than [most of the] guys taken ahead of them because of talent.’’
Are you a smoker?
Interest in a No. 6 quarterback is real, but there’s also reason to magnify the interest. 6 is real, there’s also reason to magnify the interest in case there’s a team wanting to move up for a quarterback, like the San Francisco 49ersLast year. Their 2021 (No. They sent their 2021 (No. Miami DolphinsFor the third choice, click here Trey Lance.
It’s doubtful this year’s class will draw that kind of a package, but the Panthers could use extra draft picks. They don’t have a pickFrom the first round to No. Due to the 2021 trades of Darnold and Henderson, 137 were reached in the fourth round.
Carolina may be able to trade down, but it could still secure one of the three quarterbacks and a tackle in deep class if it can. The Falcons (No. 8), Seahawks (8). 9), Washington Commanders (No. 11), Philadelphia Eagles (Nos. 15, 16, and 19 Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 20) They are all looking for long-term solution at quarterback.
If the Panthers sell on Willis, Pickett, or Corral, one of them can be available at No. Reid said that Fitterer must take a chance even if one the best tackles is available.
“You want to get one of those [quarterback] guys in the building,’’ he said. “There’s no clear-cut solution on the roster.’’