What did the Carolina Panthers turn down for the No. 8 pick?
By Dean Jones
Did the Carolina Panthers make the right decision?
The Chicago Bears got their man in the end when Justin Fields made it all the way to No. 11 before they made a deal with the New York Giants to move up nine spots. There is little doubt that the prospect has the biggest chip on his shoulder entering the NFL after being unfairly criticized during the evaluation process, but whether this will result in him becoming a productive starter remains to be seen.
As for the Carolina Panthers, Joe Banner felt they should have taken the offer he reported, stating that the benefits far outweigh anything Jaycee Horn might be able to give the team when it’s all said and done.
"“All the history would suggest that you would rather have the two firsts along with the two extra late-round picks, unless you are selecting a quarterback. The only position on the field that makes such a huge difference if you hit on it is the quarterback. Even the best receivers in football cannot be maximized unless you are stable at the quarterback position.”"
It’s hard to say which way this is going to play out. Horn has all the physical attributes needed to be a real star at the next level and although there will be some initial teething problems, it’s hard to envisage a situation where the cornerback doesn’t become an important member of the roster.
If the Bears did reach out to Carolina with this offer, it probably resulted in a serious discussion between the decision-makers in the war room. However, turning down the chance to select their top-rated prospect within reach was a call they eventually decided not to make.
Everything seemed to work out for all parties involved, which is all you can ask for until seeing these players on the field. The Panthers were never going to really take a quarterback once Sam Darnold was acquired, but they even passed up a team that took the bait.
Next. 5 most important additions of the Panthers’ 2021 offseason. dark
A huge decision to make. But there have been plenty of those this offseason where the Panthers are concerned.