While the NFL’s quarterback carousel is just about complete, we still don’t have clarity on the Panthers’ QB position. Heading into the offseason, GM Scott Fitterer admitted that the quarterback job was “open,” but after losing out in the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes, Fitterer walked back his remarks and stated that incumbent Sam Darnold was in the lead for the starting nod. Now, with the NFL Draft coming up at the end of the month, the organization still isn’t ruling out selecting a QB with the No. 6 pick.
[RELATED: Panthers Considering Trades For No. 6 Pick]
According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the “consensus of the people in this league” is that the Panthers will ultimately select a QB in the upcoming draft, with Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett considered the favorites. While Albert Breer of SI.com agrees with the QB sentiment, he hasn’t heard as much buzz about Pickett, and “with jobs on the line this year,” the organization may play it safe by taking the most NFL-ready option. Besides Willis, Breer also points to Matt Corral and Desmond Ridder as options. Sam Howell and Bailey Zappe were also included in the team’s 30 allotted prospect visits.
We learned recently that a trade down is a real possibility, and that could ultimately open the door to the Panthers selecting a quarterback with their first-round pick. The popular sentiment has been that No. 6 is too early to select from this year’s crop of quarterbacks. However, a trade for a mid-first would be “more palatable” for the front office.
While the Panthers could look to a first-round QB, Darnold still believes he’s ready to compete for the starting gig. Following an inconsistent start to his career with the Jets, Darnold underwhelmed during his first season with the Panthers, guiding the team to a 4-7 record while tossing nine touchdowns vs. 13 interceptions.
“It’s truly whatever happens happens, because at the end of the day it’s out of my control, and I know that,” Darnold,said during a recent podcast appearance (via ESPN’s David Newton). “I have enough security in myself where I can say, ‘I know I’m a good quarterback. I know I can be a good quarterback in this league. I’ve proved it.’
“And I know there’s a team, if something happens, that would want me.”
Meanwhile, following whispers that the Panthers could be the most likely landing spot for Browns QB Baker Mayfield, Panthers receiver Robby Anderson made it pretty clear what his feelings were on the rumors. On Instagram, Anderson commented “Nooooo” under a picture connecting Mayfield to Carolina (h/t Brad Stainbrook of CBS Sports on Twitter).
How has Darnold proven he’s a good quarterback? He’s been on some bad teams for sure, but his play has been pretty bad.
I think it’s still too early to definitely say one way or the other on Darnold. He’s played for some pretty awful teams and was practically shell-shocked in New York because his line was so bad. But if I’m Carolina I’m not done adding competition, up to and including Mayfield.
Carolina is both desperate and picky, it seems. None of the quarterbacks this year will make an immediate impact or project as a long term solution on a team with as many questions as Carolina does, from offensive line to receiver to tight end to head coach. McCaffrey may or may not be available going forward, and though D.J. Moore is a good option, Robbie Anderson is a massive disappointment. Moton is a good tackle, but I’m not sure where their other linemen will fall in after Paradis’ departure.
As for Darnold…we’ve never seen him play well consistently at all, but he’s never had a single positive situation either in the pros. It feels like it’s getting to be too late in his career for a revelation, especially if the team he’s on isn’t getting any better, but I’m not sure that I can say for certain that it’s his fault.
Amazingly Darnold hasn’t even turned 25 yet but it seems like he’s been a massive question mark in every season since around 1995.
Darnold is getting to the backup quarterback for a good team range of his career, trubisky went to Buffalo and didn’t see the field for a year then got a starting job(as of today, who knows about the draft and after) Darnold could probably use a reset like that as well….Robbie Anderson on Instagram is hilarious however I wouldn’t want him as my X receiver either with his inconsistency
Carolina might be very wise to trade down if they get the right offer. There’s no QB in this draft who is going to come in and start right away, but teams are still going to panic about getting one before they’re gone.
even if qbs aren’t taken early a mid to late first could get them a howell or better depending on the fall
You might be right, but I wouldn’t bet on it either. Regardless of the relative talent level of any year’s QB crop, there are at least 2 or 3 teams afraid to get left out of WB musical chairs. Right now there are probably 5 or 6 teams hoping that a Howell or a Kidder falls to them in the 2nd round… which is exactly why I’ll be shocked if those guys are still there past the first few picks of the 2nd.
Also, where does Robby Anderson get off expressing his opinion on any QB? I’m surprised he could get open enough to type that out on Twitter. If anything, “Noooo!” should be Baker’s reaction to possibly having Anderson as one of his top WRs.
I was gonna say….is Robby Anderson really in position to be judging QBs?
I would expect that to somewhat stem from Anderson’s supposed friendship with Darnold, but I seem to remember him complaining about targets in Carolina with Darnold as well last year.
That would be the most generous scenario to Anderson in my mind to frame that comment. In any case, it’s at very least stupid to insult any player you may possibly end up playing with (no matter how slight the chance is).
Anderson played for Rhule at Temple
Trade for Jordan Love. He is a better option than any QB in this year’s draft.
I think they are all about equivalent in that non of them are part of any teams next “run” including Jordan Love.
He certainly didn’t look like it against KC. This was his 2nd year in the system and he was horrible
If the packers thought he could play, then they would have kept Adams, not Rodgers, and opened up a window with a QB on a rookie deal.