3 quarterbacks the Panthers could target in later rounds of the NFL draft

Carolina Panthers could draft Carson Strong

This is likely the most popular and well-known quarterback on the list. Carson Strong was ultra-productive at Nevada, attaining 853 completions out of 1,252 attempts for a 68.1 percent completion rate and throwing 74 touchdowns to only 19 interceptions during his career with the Wolfpack.

There is good reason for the pre-draft hype as well. Strong has a rocket arm, possibly the biggest in the draft, and certainly right up there with the best in this class.

His experience in a vertical offense also will help his transition into the modern NFL, which continues to run more and more vertical sets as the game speeds up at the next level. Strong has ideal size at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, which makes him a tempting option coupled with his elite arm talent.

However, Strong’s severe lack of mobility and injury history will likely leak him down into the later rounds, ripe for a  quarterback-needy team to pluck and develop such as the Carolina Panthers.

Strong is the only player on this list that could come in from Day 1 and compete with whatever quarterback Carolina has on its roster – barring a blockbuster trade or 1st round selection at the position. He could certainly become a capable backup in the meantime.

Given Matt Rhule’s uncertain status, Strong could make sense as a transitional quarterback in the near future as well.

Hopefully, whatever coaching staff gets him if Rhule cannot turn things around, works on his pocket mobility and his notable struggles when plays don’t develop as expected.

Expect Strong to go anywhere from Round 2-4 of the draft. Whether he’s successful at the next level will depend on where the signal-caller ends up.