3 potential partners if Panthers want to trade up from No. 8
By Dean Jones
New York Jets
The New York Jets spurned their chance of taking Clemson phenom, Trevor Lawrence, at No. 1 overall with a couple of wins late in the season. Just what they are going to with from the second spot is unclear at this point and there is also plenty of uncertainty surrounding the future of quarterback Sam Darnold.
New head coach Robert Saleh has plenty of options. They could take either Zach Wilson or Justin Fields, with the possibility of utilizing the pick as the main piece to acquire Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans is something else that shouldn’t be overlooked.
If they choose to give Darnold one more chance on the final year of his rookie deal, drafting a prominent playmaker like Ja’Marr Chase or DeVonta Smith is a possibility – providing they trade down. But solidifying the offensive line with the addition of Oregon’s stud left tackle Penei Sewell is another tempting proposition.
Trading up from No. 8 up to the second selection is going to cost the Carolina Panthers. So they’d have to be absolutely convinced that Wilson or Fields can hit the ground running once they get to the next level.
That is no guarantee, obviously. But if Carolina doesn’t get their hands on a veteran quarterback this offseason then trading with the Jets is the only way they’ll guarantee getting the second-best prospect on their big board in this year’s draft.