Carolina Panthers ‘very open’ to shifting again from No. eight spot in NFL draft
CHARLOTTE, NC – The Carolina Panthers spoke to “at least five teams” about the re-trade of the number 8 in Thursday’s NFL draft.
“We are very open to a withdrawal,” said General Manager Scott Fitterer on Friday in a Zoom draft with trainer Matt Rhule. “It just depends on how the first seven picks go.”
Fitterer has been consistent since arriving in Carolina in January after 20 seasons with Seattle, and said talent levels usually decline after the top 15-19 picks. He says it’s no different this year, adding that he has 16 players with first round grades.
Fitterer has also consistently spoken about the value of building a championship team, as Seattle has done by trading back for extra picks.
1 relatives
The best scenario for back-trading with Carolina would be if one or more of the top five quarterbacks fell to # 8 because there would be more value to that selection.
For example, if Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields has fallen this far, there may be a handful of teams like Denver at No. 9, Philadelphia (No. 12), and New England (No. 15) that may be ready to multiple picks to give up a first round in the next year in order to draw into this slot.
The teams with the top three picks – Jacksonville, the New York Jets, and San Francisco – are expected to take quarterbacks. Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence was forecast to be the consensus top pick, with BYU’s Zach Wilson finishing second and Mac Jones of Alabama or possibly Fields finishing third.
North Dakota state’s Trey Lance is the fifth quarterback with a grade in the first round.
“We have to look at the players who are available when we choose and how many of those players can help us, who we’ve identified, how far back we can trade and still get one of those players without trading.” the [top] Level “said fitter.” We don’t want to act from a certain level where talent drops.
“We know exactly where that is in this draft. We’ll see what the options are. We’re more than willing to listen to other teams and if they want to offer tips we can go back and get one of the players.” We want and get several tips to build this team. We will do that. “
The willingness to back-trade and the addition of quarterback Sam Darnold, the third choice of the 2018 draft, through a trade with the Jets make the Panthers unlikely to take a quarterback in 8th place.
That Fitterer says the Panthers have a “very strong plan” about taking Darnold’s option for the fifth year and having nothing to do with who they put on the draft is also an indication that a quarterback is out of place 8 will be selected if Carolina retains the choice.
The plan, a league source told ESPN after Carolina took over Darnold, is to exercise the option.
Fitterer said there is also a plan on whether to take the fifth year option for wide receiver DJ Moore, but he hasn’t expanded it. The teams have until May 3rd to make a decision.
Fitterer said the Panthers had a dialogue with Teddy Bridgewater, last year’s starting quarterback who had been given permission to seek a deal with another team, and his agent.
“Teddy is part of our team right now,” said Fitterer.
The Panthers have reduced an initial list of several thousand players to 150 to consider for the draft. Fitterer and Rhule are also comfortable that they don’t have to reach for a player in 8th place if they stay there based on what has been done in the free agency as needed.
Your main needs are a left device, press corner, wide receiver, and tight end.
“We will only use the best available player,” said Fitterer. “We did that in the free agency.”
