3 acceptable trades for the Carolina Panthers to acquire Baker Mayfield

Carolina Panthers trade scenario No. 1

If the Cleveland Browns think they are going to get a high-end draft pick in return for Baker Mayfield, they are sorely mistaken. Teams across the league have made some major moves at the quarterback position, some have signed free agents, and others are clearly looking towards the 2022 NFL Draft for a long-term option.

This leaves the Browns with limited options, to put it mildly. If this is something that the Carolina Panthers do end up exploring, then it wouldn’t cost them nearly as much as what they ended up sacrificing for Sam Darnold last year.

Mayfield might have much better production than Darnold and a playoff victory for good measure. But that won’t matter in the slightest considering the Browns traded for Deshaun Watson and also signed Jacoby Brissett to be their backup next season or perhaps even start for a lengthy period if the former Clemson star is suspended.

Offering up a sixth-round pick on the premise Cleveland take on 50 percent of Mayfield’s fully guaranteed $18.85 million would be an acceptable offer. One that the Browns might be forced to take with little interest from elsewhere.

Such a move would also allow the Panthers to select a quarterback at No. 6 and give them a more stable presence under center until a rookie is ready to assume command.