5 Panthers players who could be impacted most by 2022 draft picks
By Dean Jones
Sam Darnold – Carolina Panthers QB
Onto the most obvious elephant in the room.
Sam Darnold might not be worrying about his future with the Carolina Panthers based on comments made during a recent podcast. But there is now some extreme doubt about his chances of becoming anything more than a massive draft bust after a failed first campaign under center following his trade from the New York Jets.
The former USC star now has four seasons of production that can only be described as indifferent at best. Darnold has clear flaws in his footwork, processing, and decision-making that haven’t improved sufficiently and the Panthers cannot go into their offseason program with the No. 3 overall selection in 2018 and P.J. Walker as their only options.
Influential figures within the franchise have spent plenty of time taking in some top college recruits this offseason. This might not be the strongest group of signal-callers that’s ever entered the league, but one or two could end up being productive with additional development.
Darnold will be watching closely. There is also the prospect of Carolina acquiring another veteran via a trade given their urgent need for a turnaround after two consecutive five-win seasons under Matt Rhule.
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There isn’t much chance Darnold is dealt unless the Panthers eat most of his fully guaranteed $18.85 million. So he’ll get the chance to stake his claim regardless of which way Carolina goes.