4 big trades the Carolina Panthers could still make this offseason
By Dean Jones
Sam Darnold – QB
The Carolina Panthers might be out of luck if they were aiming to secure a quarterback from the 2021 NFL Draft. This comes after the San Francisco 49ers moved up to No. 3 and might force others to do the same with the Atlanta Falcons at No. 4, with the NFC South rival unlikely to do Matt Rhule’s men any favors in their pursuit of a franchise signal-caller.
Couple this with the Deshaun Watson situation and the Panthers might be forced to go in a completely different direction to what they originally intended. Going down the trade route for someone like Sam Darnold would be a calculated risk, but much will depend on whether the New York Jets end up taking BYU sensation Zach Wilson at No. 2 as expected.
Darnold hasn’t exactly thrived since arriving in the league. But because of the inept coaching of Adam Gase, someone is going to give him another chance.
Whether Darnold will thrive in a new environment in a similar fashion to Carolina’s wide receiver Robby Anderson is up for debate. However, if the Panthers can get him for a third or fourth-rounder, it represents a low-risk, high reward option that isn’t going to cost the earth from a financial standpoint.
If things don’t work out with Darnold, they can part ways with him at no cost next year and perhaps resume their pursuit of Watson if his civil suit matter has resolved by then.