3 reasons the Carolina Panthers are right not to pursue Baker Mayfield

Carolina Panthers could get more upside in the draft

Drafting a quarterback is never a sure thing. But with four years of experience already under the belt of Baker Mayfield, it’s probably a better option for the Carolina Panthers rather than trying another reclamation project that might blow up in their face.

This year’s draft doesn’t have a sure-fire prospect like some in the past has, but Liberty’s Malik Willis and Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett have seemed to have caught the Panthers’ attention.

The team has sent personnel out to each’s Pro Days this week and they will also check out Ole Miss signal-caller Matt Corral in the flesh on Wednesday. Carolina hasn’t drafted a quarterback in the first round since Cam Newton in 2011, and that worked out pretty well.

The Panthers will pick No. 6 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft and should have the opportunity to take one of the three mentioned quarterbacks. If they strike gold, that would be much more valuable than giving something up to acquire Mayfield, even if it might not be all that much considering how much the Cleveland Browns want to remove this problem from their equation.

Willis’ arm strength has been elite during his workouts and combine. Pickett seems to be pro-ready and obviously has a previous Matt Rhule connection following his college recruiting phase.

It seems like this is the direction Carolina will go and that’s the right call. Whether it pays off or not is another matter entirely.