What would the Carolina Panthers give up for Trevor Lawrence?
We now know who will have pole position in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars locked up the No. 1 overall selection with a week of the regular season to go, which gives them first refusal on a potential franchise-altering quarterback that many Carolina Panthers fans were hoping for in next year.
Trevor Lawrence is the most exciting signal-caller to enter the next level since Andrew Luck. The Clemson sensation is a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy following a campaign that could end with another National Championship with the Tigers.
If Lawrence won both, it would send his already elevated draft stock through the roof. This is a potentially generational talent that fills a definite position of need for the Jaguars. So it would be a huge shock if they didn’t take the signal-caller to boost their hopes of a successful rebuild.
However, if they wanted to field calls to trade down for a king’s ransom, then the Panthers would be one of the first on the phone.
Carolina could still get a top-five selection although it would take far more than that for Jacksonville to even consider the prospect. There still some real doubts as to whether Teddy Bridgewater is the man to lead them moving forward and although this would be the equivalent of betting the house, with high risk comes high reward.
What would it cost the Carolina Panthers?
Let’s say for argument’s sake that the Carolina Panthers get the eighth pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. This could form their package for what would undoubtedly be the most shocking move in recent memory.
Trevor Lawrence has been the prize for anybody struggling this season. For a long time, it appeared as if the New York Jets would be in a position to take the quarterback, but they have turned it around at arguably the worst possible time to record back-to-back wins and ensure they’re at No. 2 overall.
Make no mistake, it would take a monumental offer for the Jaguars to even consider this.
And even that might not be enough.
The Panthers would need to offer their next four first-rounders, and that’s just for starters. Any potential deal would also need to involve multiple second, third, and fourth-round selections, a couple of talented young players, and a lot more thrown in for good measure.
Gambling your future like this isn’t considered normal.
But Lawrence isn’t your normal prospect.
The Jaguars’ dismal campaign has presented them with an opportunity of a lifetime and only an astronomical sum would make them think twice.
Would the Jaguars consider a trade?
The simple answer is no.
The Jaguars have been handed a gift by the Jets, who were favorites for the No. 1 pick until consecutive victories over the last fortnight. With a new general manager also set to be appointed in Jacksonville, they will want to make a huge early statement by bringing Trevor Lawrence to the organization.
Stranger things have happened in the NFL.
But not many.
The Carolina Panthers had their shot to try and get the quarterback. But they just have too much talent to compare to the likes of Jacksonville, who have been nothing short of an abomination despite boasting some impressive weapons on offense that might just see Lawrence hit the ground running providing they bring in some quality protection.
Although the Tank for Trevor calls from Carolina’s loyal fanbase was deafening before competitive action got underway, it was always going to be a pipe dream for the Panthers.
Trading up to try and get him is even more unrealistic, even though it is fun to think about.
4 options the Panthers have with Teddy Bridgewater in 2021
Teddy Bridgewater's future with the Carolina Panthers is getting more uncertain with every passing game, but what options could the team go with in 2021?
It would take a brave man to pull the trigger and make this trade from the Jaguars’ perspective. Lawrence has the chance to become a truly great quarterback and you simply don’t pass up on players like that no matter what is offered in return.