4 intriguing options if the Panthers land a top-5 draft pick in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers gamble on a QB
It’s been a comedy of errors for the Carolina Panthers when it comes to the quarterback position. Cam Newton is now back after being released in 2020, which comes after Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold, and P.J. Walker proved they cannot be trusted to man the plate efficiently – something that’s cost the organization draft picks and an unbelievable amount of financial capital.
Bridgewater is getting paid $17 million by the Panthers to play for the Denver Broncos this season. They also inexplicably picked up Darnold’s fifth-year option before the campaign, which comes with a fully guaranteed $18.85 million in 2022.
Just what the future holds for Newton will be determined over the next four games. If the former NFL MVP doesn’t do enough, then gambling on a quarterback in the draft is another potential option in the top five.
This would be a risk. Carolina had the chance to take Mac Jones or Justin Fields at No. 8 overall earlier this year, opting for cornerback Jaycee Horn instead as they moved forward with Darnold.
A decision they’d probably like to have back.
The 2022 class isn’t seen to be anything like the standard of the 2021 group. Matt Corral, Malik Willis, Sam Howell, and Kenny Pickett seem like the best available, although expecting them to come in and start right away is unrealistic.
Related Story. 4 quarterback prospects to monitor if the Carolina Panthers wait until 2023. light
Perhaps it might be better for the Panthers to wait until 2023 when the crop could be outstanding. There is also the prospect of Carolina looking for yet another splash in the trade market given David Tepper’s influence.