November 7, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper with General Manager Scott Vetterer before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Mock Draft: 3 players the Bears should target with the #9 pick after the Panthers traded
The Carolina Panthers have been traded for the first pick from the Chicago Bears, but they could be making things messier based on the latest reports.
The Chicago Bears have shopped their #1 pick overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, hoping to get a boost from an interested team in return. They got their wish, as the Carolina Panthers gave up a slew of snaps and wide receiver DJ Moore for the #1 pick. The Panthers have a clear need in a quarterback, so one can imagine they have an idea of the prospect they want to pick.
According to ESPN’s David Newton, the Panthers grabbed the first pick because it “gives them the most options,” and if they fell in love with several quarterbacks “they’d consider coming back a point or two.”
The reason the Panthers want the top pick is because it gives them the most options, but if they fall in love with two quarterbacks, they’ll consider going back for a spot or two, per League Source.
– David Newton (@DNewtonespn) March 10, 2023
The Panthers can trade the No. 1 pick even after they acquire it
Joe Pearson of The Athletic tweeted that head coach Frank Reich and general manager Scott Vetterer “have a conviction about two top quarterbacks,” and could choose to waive if they desired more than one prospect.
The Panthers now dominate the draft. Scott Vetter and Frank Reich have convictions in their two QBs at the top, a source said. And a source said if they end up liking more than one, they’ll probably back off.
— Joe Pearson (@josephperson) March 10, 2023
This will create chaos during the NFL Draft process. There are notable teams that pick in the top ten and need a quarterback. The Houston Texans hold the second overall pick and need a signal caller. The Indianapolis Colts are Houston’s fourth-ranked division rival. Then there are the Las Vegas Raiders, who are in seventh place and have a quarterback void after they released Derek Carr.
If the Panthers love more than one Ohio State’s CJ Stroud, Alabama’s Bryce Young, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson, can they really move down to win back more draft picks?
Whatever happens, the Panthers’ phones will be busy until the NFL’s opening night.
