5 key talking points from the Carolina Panthers’ pathetic Week 9 loss
By Luke Gray
Carolina Panthers shouldn’t tank for a quarterback
I totally understand why people want the Carolina Panthers to draft a quarterback. But in reality, the organization should be spending its first-round pick on a franchise left tackle and address the issue that has plagued them since the retirement of Jordan Gross.
Another issue is this quarterback class is not as strong as 12 months ago. Sam Howell and Malik Willis are probably the two best in the draft and whether they’re still on the board when the Panthers pick is another matter.
If they do pick up either of these two or maybe a Kenny Pickett, this would allow the rookie to sit behind Sam Darnold for a year and learn the NFL before being ready to start in 2023.
One that could throw a spanner in the works is Sam Hartman. The Wake Forest signal-caller is having a stellar year and through nine games has led the Demon Deacons to 8-1 while throwing for 27 touchdowns with just five interceptions.
Hartman still has a year left of eligibility but could forgo it and enter the draft potentially giving Scott Fitterer and David Tepper a decision to make.
There’s also the possibility that Carolina will make a move for a big-name quarterback in the offseason with the likes of DeShaun Watson, Aaron Rodgers, and Russell Wilson potentially available.
However, to acquire these players Carolina would be giving up a first-round pick. One they desperately need in order to draft some protection for whoever is under center next year.