4 ways the Carolina Panthers could acquire more draft capital in 2022
By Luke Gray
Carolina Panthers could trade for Baker Mayfield
It’s hard to imagine the Carolina Panthers make this move before the draft. But when it comes to moving on from Baker Mayfield, the Cleveland Browns have simply zero leverage.
This whole scenario depends on who will pay Mayfield’s salary in 2022, which is the same as Sam Darnold’s – a fully guaranteed $18.85 million in 2022. The Panthers are probably not keen on having two quarterbacks on the roster making almost $40 million combined during the upcoming campaign.
One would imagine the Browns would have to eat a portion of Mayfield’s contract to offload a player who has not been shy in voicing his displeasure at the way the team has treated him since acquiring DeShaun Watson.
However, if the Browns are not willing to pay a portion of Mayfield’s deal, there may be the option for them to send over a draft pick to soften the blow of the Panthers paying the full fee.
As they just sent an army of picks to the Houston Texans for Watson, they might be willing to take the financial repercussions rather than give away more just to get Mayfield off the books.
If the Browns do send a pick across to Carolina in this scenario, it would likely be a Day 3 selection. This doesn’t help the Panthers if they want a second or third-rounder, but having additional capital will give Scott Fitterer more at his disposal if he wants to trade up.