4 QB alternatives if the Panthers miss out on Deshaun Watson
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers could target Malik Willis
If Deshaun Watson decides that a move to the Carolina Panthers is not in his best interests, it would be a major blow that could lead the organization into officially pressing the rest button at the position. This is something they could have possibly done a lot sooner with a rookie quarterback, but they opted to go in a different direction and there’s just no way of knowing for sure how much it could set the team back.
Drafting a college prospect under center is normally done a lot sooner under a new regime. Matt Rhule is entering his third season at the helm and considering the former Baylor man also gets the final say on personnel decisions, it’s the clearest sign yet that the current process in Carolina is simply not working.
Although this draft class has not been lauded, it would be a surprise if some didn’t go on to have productive careers providing their transition to the next level goes smoothly. Of all the signal-callers entering the NFL in 2022, nobody is generating more buzz than Malik Willis thanks to blistering arm strength and athletic attributes that teams always seem to bet on heavily.
There are some concerns regarding Willis from a decision-making standpoint. The former Liberty star also tends to come out of his reads and make things happen on the move too early, which is fine at the college level but isn’t a recipe for success in the pros.
The Panthers could let Willis sit behind Sam Darnold until he’s ready. And who knows, he might end up being the franchise quarterback Carolina has been craving.