Interesting quote on Sam Darnold from the Athletic article grading all QB’s in this draft class

[panthers55]

The issue is not whether Darnold sucks or not because that only describes his time with the Jets. The issue is whether in an infinitely better system with much better coaching and talent can he follow the script, play smarter football and learn a new system. Is he quick enough athletically and intellectually to process information and work through progressions and understand defenses and how to defeat them. Does he have the physical skills as well as leadership skills. Can he stand in there and deliver the ball right before the blitzers arrive. For me he checks some of the boxes and has a chance to compete for the starter role and the opportunity to prove his critics right or wrong.

[MHS831]

4 hours ago, Mother Grabber said:

and we got him for a 2nd round pick...

And he saved us from having to move up, costing us a pick.  And if we move back, we basically got him for free--if we trade Teddy---Sam will have cost this team a 4th rounder in 2022.

And people were bitching about the cost--the same people who were ok giving 3 first rounders to Houston for deep tissue love in the box.

 

Which brings us from the second worst to the worst run organization in football---the Houston "Watson is not being traded" Texans.   Could they make worse decisions? Had they traded him from the get go, they have 3 firsts and Watson is someone else's problem.

[mav1234]

Just now, MHS831 said:

And he saved us from having to move up, costing us a pick.  And if we move back, we basically got him for free--if we trade Teddy---Sam will have cost this team a 4th rounder in 2022.

And people were bitching about the cost--the same people who were ok giving 3 first rounders to Houston for deep tissue love in the box.

 

Which brings us from the second worst to the worst run organization in football---the Houston "Watson is not being traded" Texans.   Could they make worse decisions? Had they traded him from the get go, they have 3 firsts and Watson is someone else's problem.

I certainly thank the Texans for saving us from ourselves. Heh

[frankw]

51 minutes ago, Waldo said:

Build it up all you want but it's still a huge gamble.

You haven't heard? The folks who think we can make a running back the face of the franchise have confirmed he is the next Drew Brees.

[Moo Daeng]

1 minute ago, MHS831 said:

And he saved us from having to move up, costing us a pick.  And if we move back, we basically got him for free--if we trade Teddy---Sam will have cost this team a 4th rounder in 2022.

And people were bitching about the cost--the same people who were ok giving 3 first rounders to Houston for deep tissue love in the box.

 

Which brings us from the second worst to the worst run organization in football---the Houston "Watson is not being traded" Texans.   Could they make worse decisions? Had they traded him from the get go, they have 3 firsts and Watson is someone else's problem.

Given that the story broke before the trade could be finalized I wonder if the team could back out?

[ncstatekwi]

I am definitely hoping Darnold balls out!  Wishing him the best!

[mav1234]

Darnold is a gamble, but a huge gamble?? We're talking a second round pick next year which is basically a third this year. That isn't a huge gamble at all.  Much less of one than either reaching for a meh QB at 8 or trading assets to move up.

As a huge Fields fan, though, if he's there I think we should take him at 8.  I doubt he's there.

[Moo Daeng]

One thing is for sure. There will be a handful at least who moan about every win as they already want to lose for.....Sam Howell.

[MHS831]

1 minute ago, Moo Daeng said:

Given that the story broke before the trade could be finalized I wonder if the team could back out?

I do not know., but for a few weeks they reported that they were not returning calls.  Who knows what they knew, but I wonder if they found out before the story broke and realized that they could not trade him...I think the story will come out.  If i am not mistaken, there has to transparency about stuff like this--but if they did not know and they denied offers, damn they are cursed.

[MHS831]

Fields has risk, Lance has risk, Darnold has risk.  Probably all have substantial upside. 
The difference?

Only 1 will not cost us a 2021 first round draft pick.

[clvclv]

3 hours ago, panthers55 said:

No idea if he will reach his potential with us but I totally agree. He would be better than most if not all the QBs in this draft and he has 3 years of NFL experience. I would much rather ride with Darnold and getting our left tackle of the future plus more draft picks versus picking a project like Lance or Justin.

A question I haven't seen anyone dive into particularly deeply...

One of the biggest concerns with Darnold has been protection - so he actually has time that he never had in New York. There seems to be plenty of WR/TE/CBs available later in this draft, would anyone consider going Darrisaw in the first (assuming he's the highest available T left) and following him up with Walker Little in the second?

I get that you'd have to be pretty well sold on Darnold to do something like that, but I've run through a ton of mock drafts, and the Panthers just seem to slot in a great place to substantially upgrade the OL for years to come while also scooping up a CB/TE/WR that falls a bit.

 

[MHS831]

So if Atlanta would take Darnold and and our first for the #4 pick--also sending us a 4th rounder and second rounder in 2022 and sixth in 2021, would you do it?

[Moo Daeng]

I have this weird feeling there is something else brewing. It might not happen but they have something in mind.

[jayboogieman]

1 hour ago, Waldo said:

We should still add a QB and then it would show competence in team building from the staff that they understand more than the all knowing sports journalists and random & unknown 'expert'.

The GM did say he liked to take developmental QBs in the mid rounds. If they draft a QB this year, that is probably where it'll happen.