CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina PanthersScott Fitterer, general manager, met with Sam DarnoldOn Monday, the No. On Monday, the No.
Fitterer said Tuesday at Tuesday's predraft conference that there are two quarterbacks that Fitterer felt comfortable picking with the sixth overall selection. According to draft analysts, Liberty's Malik Willis (Liberty) and Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh) have consistently been rated as the top picks.
Fitterer said that the team could also consider other options for adding a quarterback beyond the draft. He didn't mention Baker MayfieldYou can find the Cleveland BrownsOr Jimmy GaroppoloYou can find the San Francisco 49ersHe won't be able to mention other players, as per league rules.
Fitterer reiterated that Carolina wants “stabilization of the quarterback position” but noted that the best long-term solution is with a young draftee.
He said, “It's like you want to create one and then have him become your own.” There is also cost efficiency. Also, there are still some available quarterbacks that are not on the market. This is a question you need to ask.
Since Matt Rhule's second consecutive five-win campaign, the Panthers have been looking to upgrade their quarterback. They were open to giving the Houston TexansThree first-round draft picks, including players and other draft selections Deshaun Watson.
Watson was ultimately traded to Cleveland by the Browns. The Browns are now looking to get rid of Mayfield, the top 2018 pick. ESPN.com was informed by a league source shortly after Watson was traded to Cleveland that Mayfield was not available at the time.
This could change depending upon the deal or what happens in the draft. Multiple sources claim that nothing will happen prior to the first round.
Garoppolo isn't a player Darnold can count on, so he hasn't been very high up on the team's radar.
ESPN reported Tuesday that a source from the league said that Mayfield is not expected to be traded by the Browns this week.
Even if they were interested in one of these veterans, the Panthers don't have enough draft capital to trade realistically this year. They won't pick again until the sixth round, after which they will not pick again until the No. 137 in Round 4.
Fitterer stated that he won't trade future draft picks. Fitterer said that he's had many conversations with teams asking him about trading a second- or three-round pick next season. “And my answer was no, we want those picks to be protected.”
The Panthers have a large gap between picks due to the fact that the Panthers had their second-round selection last year in a trade with the New York JetsDarnold's third-round selection was traded with Jacksonville to acquire cornerback C.J. Henderson.
Fitterer stated repeatedly that while he would love second-day picks to be added, “we're no moving out of picks just to acquire picks.”
Carolina's six-round pick will be a primary target for offensive and quarterback tackle. N.C. State’s Ikem Ekwonu is rated the top tackle in a deep class. Alabama's Evan Neal, Mississippi State's Charles Cross and Mississippi State’s Charles Cross are also rated.
Carolina will pick at least two of these to go when it picks at six.
Fitterer has made it a part of his offseason strategy to rebuild an offensive line in order to protect quarterbacks. Fitterer also added guard Austin CorbettThe center Bradley BozemanIn free agency
Darnold was also part of the conversation. Darnold is guaranteed $18.9million this season, having signed Carolina's fifth-year option.
Fitterer stated that he needed to support him. “I think we have done a great job… providing him with talent so he doesn’t feel like he has to play every game.
Fitterer stated, “But in our discussion I said, “Hey, we're going to add (quarterback) to this group through this weekend. There's a pretty good possibility we could add to that group'.” It's an open competition. It's his place right now, but we'll take it from anyone who can run with it.
