Carolina Panthers Draft: Making the case to trade down in the first round

As the Carolina Panthers prepare for the 2020 NFL Draft, it might be in their best interest to trade down in the first round to rebuild the right way.

At this point in time, the Carolina Panthers currently have the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Ideally, they’ll more than likely use it on the best available defensive lineman that can come in and make an immediate impact. As general manager Marty Hurney finalizes his draft board, there has likely been some discussions about considering trading down.

It’s no secret that in order to improve your team’s roster and rebuild the right way, as the Panthers have started this offseason, you need as much draft capital as possible. The kind of draft capital that lands between Rounds 2-4 where you can find some of those diamonds in the rough including future first round picks. It would be crazy to dare think that the Panthers could trade up or anything but would make a lot more sense if they traded down.

The truth of the matter is, the Panthers have a top ten pick that is quite attractive to other teams that might want to move up in the trade order. If the Panthers feel they can still find a quality defensive lineman later in the first round instead of where they’re at now, they can easily acquire more draft picks by trading down.

The Carolina Panthers would benefit tremendously by trading down

More from Cat Crave

This scenario might make sense if they’re thinking of potentially addressing another area of need on their roster. If one had to rank their top priorities heading into this year’s draft, it would look something like a defensive lineman, cornerback, and edge rusher.

If the Panthers traded down, they could acquire more picks in this year’s draft and even in next year’s draft which would only help make their rebuild go by faster.

It’s undoubtedly a scenario that Hurney should consider but at the end of the day, it will come down to how the first few picks go before the Panthers are on the clock. There would be plenty of time to assess what players, especially quarterbacks, start getting drafted.

If a team comes to Hurney with an enticing offer to trade down in the first round and get more picks for the middle rounds of this year’s draft, they can address a few more positional groups that they probably couldn’t address until 2021. It’s all about rebuilding now so hopefully, in two to three years, all these big decisions lead to fielding a competitive team that’s all about winning.

Next. The one great thing Tahir Whitehead brings to Panthers. dark

Overall, Hurney would be wise to listen to offers in regards to trading down from the No. 7 overall spot if it means to get more draft picks. The Panthers can still address a major team need even if they’re selecting later on in the first round. If it lands them a few more picks in Rounds 2 and 3 and even some first round picks in next year’s draft thanks to a blockbuster trade, that would be a perfect way to become contenders again sooner rather than later.

Home/Panthers Draft