Grading the Carolina Panthers trading for Sam Darnold
By Noah Bryce
How does Sam Darnold fit on the Carolina Panthers?
The Carolina Panthers are no strangers to risk-reward quarterbacks, with Cam Newton being known for his cannon of an arm and tendency to give up the ball once per game on average. Sam Darnold really isn’t that far off of that record, but fans should not expect him to be the next coming of “SuperCam” or even as good.
However, there are certain similarities stat-wise and that seemed to work out for the team back then.
With that being said, the former first-round pick is like the other side of the coin from Teddy Bridgewater. Where last year’s starter limits risk and checks down, Darnold throws the long ball and trusts his receivers to come down with it.
This is a tendency that fits very well with the Panthers’ deep threat receiving core and 1,000-yard weapons D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, and Christian McCaffrey.
In those close games that the Panthers lost last season, 0-8 in game-winning or tying drives, Darnold’s risk-taking could have made the difference.
What Darnold was able to accomplish without star playmakers should excite people when they think of all the skill position players around him in Carolina. Pieces that will lessen the reliance on his skill overall.