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While it was assumed the Carolina Panthers were eager to draft a quarterback — and head coach Matt Rhule didn’t rule it out — he also pointed out it isn’t an assumption everyone should be eager to make.
"Part of this process has been really evaluating the trade market, and evaluating the draft; see who all is there," Rhule said Tuesday, per Panthers.com’s Darin Gantt. "I think we will be aggressive in every sense of the word, as we have been. Just try to make sure we make as good a decision as we can."
Gantt reports the widely accepted idea the team is drafting a quarterback is based on a number of factors – the Panthers currently have two QBs on the roster, and one of them is Sam Darnold and his $18.9 million guaranteed contract for the year, along with backup P.J. Walker is the other – and both are out of contract after the 2022 season.
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Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule watches play against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
The trade market isn’t as full of talent as it previously was, and Gantt reports there are few alternatives that look better than a lottery ticket on one of the incoming rookies.
The team saw the top three prospects as top officials went to the pro day workouts for Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis, and Matt Corral.
When asked if any of those three deserved to be a top-10 pick, Rhule said, "I think one of those quarterbacks will be a top 10 pick."
"I just think anytime in the top 10, when you reach for a position, whatever the position is, you can look back in a couple of years and say, ‘Man, that was a bad decision,'" Rhule said. "I think when you take a guy in the top 10 in the first round, you have to be really sure that they’re going to be a good player. That being said, it’s such a long process. It’s literally up to the day of the draft. Every new bit of information you get changes and skews your viewpoint. So we’re just trying to be diligent about being blindfolded and looking at the information, not based on our needs, but based on whose what, where do they go. If we do that, I think we’ll make a good decision."
But it seems like he has faith in Darnold and new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold passes against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
"I think Sam’s going to play significantly improved football," Rhule said.
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Gantt reports the team is eventually going to be looking for a long-term answer at the position and will be forced to consider these other options, like younger QBs.
"I think when you take a rookie quarterback, recent history has shown, save for a couple examples, they’re going to need some time," Rhule said. "So I think any time you draft a player, you say to yourself, ‘Who’s he going to be the first year, who’s he going to be in the third year?’"
Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule talks with quarterback Sam Darnold during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
"As a league, we kind of rush the quarterbacks, we want to play them as rookies, and it’s hard for them. But with quarterbacks, you have to say to yourself, who are they going to be in two years, three years? If you’re smart, don’t rush them, don’t break them early, get them to the point of going out there with the tools to be successful," he added. "I think that’s what we’re looking for with everyone we’re looking at. Last year, this year, who can be a franchise quarterback, who can win a Super Bowl? Ultimately, that’s what you’re looking for at every position. Can we win the Super Bowl with this person?"
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