Raleigh PF

Miami has the leverage. They know that teams trading into that spot are doing so to draft a franchise QB, which drives up the price. They'll get better offers.

I don't think that'd do it, but Miami would be my target.

Also not listed here - Miami. Sure, Miami could use their #3 overall pick on a young QB, but that means giving up on Tua and I just don't think that's reasonable, yet. Tua needs time. If Miami is smart, they trade out of the #3 spot and use those picks to build a better team around Tua. Bear in mind, Miami has two 2nd round picks this year and they could be used to trade for Stafford. If that happens, they get a QB on a reasonable deal who can be the bridge for Tua for a year or two. Miami was already good last year, this would be the final piece needed to get them over the top. And, while their trading away their #3 overall pick, might I suggest a certain Carolina team that they could trade that to...

You have no idea what they might or might not do. Stop trying to pass off an opinion as fact.

Take them off the table, likely Houston takes Watson off the table.

I'll go in with others saying that nothing will likely happen until the new HC is hired. Who that is and how much DW likes it will determine next steps. Logically, Watson would stay in Houston and work it out with the new HC, but then again, I don't know how big the divide is between them. After that, it's really up to NY and Miami. Both have young QBs. Darnold has been around longer and had to deal with some shitty coaches. I'd bet that Saleh, being the defensive minded coach he is, would like to keep Darnold, trade down to get some extra picks and really get the team moving in his direction. Who knows what Miami thinks or is doing, but I'd list them as the favorites for Deshaun after Houston. The Panthers need to stay engaged, but maybe start talking to NY and Miami about what it would take to trade into their spots to get either Wilson or Fields. Whoever loses the DW sweepstakes is likely going to be fielding calls to get into a position to draft a QB.

Go back and look at the last 10 drafts for QBs. Tell me how likely that is to happen. You're picking 3 anomalies out of more than 20 QBs picked in the first round.

I agree the cost is huge, but I believe we have better pieces in place at the executive level to get quality players beyond Day1. Getting a franchise QB is going to be costly this year, no matter how you slice it. And punting the ball down the road just ensures continued mediocrity until the position is filled.

Yup, keep the picks and the Panthers are more likely to end up with someone like Blake Bortles, Jake Locker or Blaine Gabbert. But hey, at least you saved your picks.

Yup, if the Panthers had the 1st pick in the draft, I would expect them to draft Lawrence, exactly for the reason you mentioned. The Panthers don't have that pick and the cost of getting from #8 to #1 is equal to or greater than the cost for Watson. Forget the #1 pick - the price for that is just out of reach. The best chance for the Panthers is #3, which again, is going to be costly. So, the Panthers could spend up to three 1st round picks to get to #3 and draft a QB that is not necessarily a sure thing (Fields/Wilson) OR they can spend those picks on a proven franchise level QB who is only 25 years old.

Let's think about what the Texans do with those picks. With that draft capital, they should come out of this draft with a franchise QB, at the very least. I don't care who it is, they are going to have ups and downs the first year. It sure would be nice to have a RB the caliber of CMC to ease into the position. CMC bolsters the running game and gives a young QB a nice outlet/check-down when blitzed. The Texans may ask for a little more, but to them, CMC would be valuable. Additionally, while CMC is a big cap hit for the Panthers, he's much less a hit to the Texans who don't have to count his signing bonus against their cap.

There is zero chance that any trade with Detroit for Stafford would include Bridgewater. None. With his contract, Bridgewater has negative value. So, when you consider a trade, keep in mind that the Panthers would be tying up ~40M next year at the QB position.

Don't think of it as 3 first round picks - it's not. Think of it this way. The Panthers would use their #8 pick this year on a franchise QB. So, instead of it being Lawrence, Fields, Wilson, etc, change that name to Deshaun Watson. So you've used one of those three picks on the QB. Essentially, the Panthers are giving up TWO future 1st round picks for Watson. Now, isn't that easier to swallow?

Okay, that's true, but there is no getting rid of Teddy now. His play last year and the size of his contract means he stays with the Panthers. So, while it's not $53M for the QB position, it's still near $40M, which is still too high if your QB1 isn't named Mahomes, Rodgers, etc.

Stafford is at the top of my list in terms of vet QBs I'd like to have to bridge to the next franchise QB, provided we can ever find it. The problem is, how do you fit him under the cap? The Panthers are stuck with Teddy and no one is going to take him in trade. I just don't see spending $50M+ at the QB position. The other problem is trade cost. While I would jump at the chance to give up multiple 1st round picks for Watson, I can't say that I'd be willing to give up even one for Stafford. So yeah, Stafford would be a great fit, but I don't see how we get from Point A (Panthers with Teddy) to Point B (Panthers with Stafford), unless someone can help me navigate that mess.

Just to clear up some erroneous cap information, the Panthers would not be on the hook for $40M in ANY season they have Deshaun Watson. The team trading the player is responsible for any signing bonus as that money has already been paid. The signing bonus is then typically distributed over the life of the contract. Here is Deshaun's contract per Overthecap: Forget the Prorated Bonus column. Houston is responsible for that and it will affect their cap, not the Panthers. Therefore, the most the Panthers would pay is $37M in 2023 (Base+Roster Bonus). Likewise, the Panthers, not the Texans would be responsible for McCaffrey's prorated bonus. Here's his contract:

Seattle didn't win the Super Bowl with Alexander. I think we could agree that Baltimore's defense had more to do with that Super Bowl win than any on offense. So, I'll give you Bettis, but man, that's a stretch. I think you get my point. It's much easier to win a Super Bowl with a franchise QB than it is a franchise RB.

Who were the QBs on those teams? (BTW - Alexander never did win the Super Bowl)

Ah yes, I remember that year that a star running back carried his team into the playoffs and helped them win a Super Bowl. Wait...what? No, I can't think of any, either. But I can easily name QBs that HAVE done that for their teams. Cam almost carried the offense by himself in 2015 on the way to the Super Bowl. It's easy to list the names Brady, Mahomes, Brees, Young, Favre, Elway, Montana, etc., but I still can't seem to do that with a running back. I mean, winning the Super Bowl IS the goal...right?

Reports are he accepted an invite. I'm supposing that declaring for the NFL draft helps your eligibility. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/mac-jones-heading-to-senior-bowl/

More worried about them falling in love with Trask or Jones at the Senior Bowl. Just...no.

I'd be on the phone day 1 offering him Teddy and CMC for their next two 1st round picks.

That's the Jerry Richardson Era plan. Let's hope it's a little different now.

Salary cap hell, no HoF QB anymore and not a good outlook on the next 2-3 years... I wonder what Sean Payton is thinking today?

I don't see how the Saints could afford him, even if they offered him the $1.50 hot dog special at Costco. They just don't have the cap room to re-sign him. If I'm Houston, I'd be talking to Winston in the event they end up trading Watson.