6 key men who will be crucial for the Carolina Panthers in 2022 draft
By Dean Jones
Ben McAdoo – Carolina Panthers OC
Finding an upgrade on Sam Darnold is still a top priority for the Carolina Panthers this offseason. This could now come via a trade for someone like Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo, but the team also has the option of taking a college signal-caller in the hope they can become a leading force under center over time.
Winning now is imperative for the Panthers next season. It’s unlikely that Matt Rhule would survive another failed campaign and perhaps relying on a rookie that might not be ready for such a significant challenge is not the best way to go about things.
Only time will tell, obviously. But new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo has a reputation for successfully judging how college quarterbacks will fare in the pros, so his opinion will be one of the most important in the coming days.
McAdoo said in his recent presser that Darnold was the starter before backtracking. But it’s hard to look at his previous track record and not think he won’t be an influential presence in the team’s decision-making process.
If McAdoo is not entirely convinced, then the Panthers will probably go in a different direction. However, if the respected figure sees something in the likes of Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, or Matt Corral, then it might see Carolina pull the trigger.