APRIL 15: When speaking to the media on Tuesday, Morgan confirmed he is open to receiving offers for the No. 8 pick (video link via ESPN’s David Newton). To no surprise, he added Carolina is not locked into adding a defensive player in the first round (h/t Newton), although that side of the ball is expected to receive plenty of attention. As the countdown to the draft continues, it will be interesting to see if a strong market for the Panthers’ top choice emerges.
APRIL 14: With multiple holes on the roster and the organization still in the midst of a rebuild, the Panthers will clearly be operating with a ‘best-player-available’ approach at No. 8 in the draft. However, depending on how things proceed with the top-seven picks, the front office could look to make a move.
According to Joseph Person of The Athletic, the Panthers “are open to the idea” of moving back from No. 8 “depending on what happens in front of them.” In fact, some recent developments from the Panthers’ own division may only help general manager Dan Morgan‘s chances of pulling off a trade.
As Person writes, with Derek Carr potentially out for the 2025 campaign, the Saints may feel added pressure to land a top quarterback prospect in the draft. As one of the only QB-needy teams in the top-10, the Saints would seem to be in prime position to select, say, Shedeur Sanders with the No. 9 pick.
Since the Panthers are armed with the No. 8 pick, they could be an enticing trade partner for Sanders suitors who aren’t armed with such a high selection. The Saints’ need for a QB could further benefit the Panthers. As Person notes, a “quarterback-inspired team” (like New Orleans) that leapfrogs Carolina’s eighth-overall selection would just result in a better non-QB-prospect falling into the Panthers’ lap.
Of course, this isn’t an uncommon sentiment in this year’s draft. QB Cam Ward is expected to go first-overall, while Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter represent the draft’s only true blue-chip prospects. There’s a belief that there isn’t a huge difference between the next tier of players, with Buccaneers GM Jason Licht even admitting recently that the draft “is pretty leveled-out at a certain point” (per Person).
In other words, if a team is truly enamored with Sanders, they’d likely be negotiating for picks No. 4 through No. 7 before they place a call with Morgan and the Panthers for the No. 8 pick. Still, the Saints’ sudden QB issues could vicariously help their rival’s options heading into the draft.
The Steelers are on the clock…
They’re crazy if Shadeur is there and they don’t do this
They should trade back and collect picks for next year because they’re going to need a replacement QB for Young.
Never making excuses for CAR. Young did play better at the end of the season. He has improved from the 2023 to the 2024 season. He took 62 sacks in 23” and only took 29 last season (2 less games). 11 total td’s w/ 10 ints, improved to 21 total td’s w/ 9 ints.
The upgrades at o-line made a huge difference. Still need to add weapons, and the defense desperately needs some playmakers. Trading back to bring in more rookie talent may be the way to go with so many needs to fill.
It feels like everyone past the 5th pick will be looking to trade back. I think there is a decent drop-off after Graham.
Yeah, I’m certain that this draft will produce good players-no draft is bereft of them, and you can never truly tell-but they certainly aren’t as coveted this year, that’s for sure.
QB: Ward
RB: Jeanty, Hampton
WR: Hunter, Golden, McMillan
TE: Warren, Loveland
OT: LT Campbell RT Membou
IOL: Zabel, Booker
S: Starks
CB: Hunter, Johnson, Barron, Revel
LB: Campbell, Walker
ED: Carter, Stewart, Green
DL: Graham, Grant, Harmon, Nolen
There are some talented guys in this draft, its just depends on what teams are looking for.
Either last year or 2 years ago, the Lions GM said they only had 13-15 1st round grades on players. That’s a real evaluation.
The thing with all of these “could trade down” teams is that there aren’t many potential partners to want to move up. There will be a few trades, no doubt, but the haul in moving down is likely going to be less this year than in most others.
I think the trade ups and trade downs will occur from the end of the first round through the third/fourth round, where many GMs are saying the bulk of this draft’s talent lies.
I would agree.
If Sanders is there you take him and refuse to answer the phone. You flip Young to a needy Steelers team for a fifth rounder and reset the franchise.
Young was graded higher then Sanders coming out of college. Young also has 2 years of experience in the NFL. I’d rather have the 3rd year Bryce Young as my starter then the 1st year of Sanders as my starter going into the season. Sanders isn’t that guy.