Excerpt. Ellis Williams, Observer, answers readers’ ?s on Panthers draft trade up

[raleigh-panther]

His input 

Daniel L. asks: It seems likely they will trade up. If you were a betting man, what spot do you think they would trade up to? All the way to No. 1? Or more like No. 3 with Arizona or No. 5 with Seattle?

Ellis Williams: During his scouting combine press conference,Fitterer said if the Panthers identify a rookie quarterback they prefer then they will “go get him.” But finding the line between patience and over-aggressiveness is important.

The Panthers currently hold pick No. 9. The quarterback-needy teams in front of them are Atlanta (No. 8), Las Vegas (No. 7), Detroit (No. 6), Seattle (No. 5) and Indianapolis (No. 4). That’s a lot of unknown for Fitterer, Reich and owner David Tepper to forecast.

There are reports that Atlanta is comfortable starting Desmond Ridder. Lions quarterback Jared Goff has similar support, but the team has said it’s interested in adding a developmental No. 2 QBbehind Goff. The Raiders don’t have a QB under contract. Seattle started Geno Smith this season and is having “positive” talks about bringing him back, but the Seahawks are interested in a rookie quarterback. And the Colts, like the Texans (No. 2), most certainly will draft a first-round signal-caller.

All that uncertainty likely makes trading up to No. 5 or No. 3 too risky. Trading for the No. 1 pick is the only way to guarantee “your guy” will be there. And if that quarterback is as good as your scouting department, coaching staff and owner believe then who cares about the price tag, right?

Carolina could move up eight spots via a lot several different trade packages. For example, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah held a conference call for the media on last Friday and said it would cost Carolina the No. 9 pick, its 2024 first-round pick, its 2025 first-round pick and a 2023 second-rounder. The Panthers also have two second-round picks, two third-round picks and two-fourth-round picks in this upcoming draft. Offering a combination of those selections could save Carolina its 2025 first-rounder.

Regardless, Carolina has the draft ammunition to move up to No. 1 and that is the only way to ensure either Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis or Anthony Richardson would be a Panther. 

Cyrus C. asks: If Carolina does trade up, do you think it gets done before the start of free agency?

EW: This is the No. 1 story line to watch before the draft.

In 2016, the Rams traded up from No. 15 to No. 1 (and later selected Jared Goff) on April 15. Two years ago, the 49ers traded for No. 3 on March 26 and a month later selected Trey Lance. Both trades were made after free agency. The new league year starts on March 15. That is when free agents can sign with their new teams.

Perhaps it would behoove the Panthers to either sign Derek Carr or trade for the No. 1 overall pick before free agency begins. Carolina bypassing Derek Carr and instead signing a veteran like Jacoby Brissett or Andy Dalton before trading up would telegraph its draft plans.

By either signing Carr or trading with the Bears before mid-March, the Panthers would make clear their terms of engagement with potential free agents. Then its staff and scouting department could prepare for April’s draft with a definitive plan.

 

 

 

[top dawg]

I just don't think they're going to trade up if they sign Carr, so to me they would be "telegraphing their draft plans" in that scenario as well. 

[Jesse]

I'd love to trade up before free agency starts, but I think Chicago holds out as long as they can to drive up the price.

[DeSim]

7 minutes ago, Jesse said:

I'd love to trade up before free agency starts, but I think Chicago holds out as long as they can to drive up the price.

If Chicago does trade back though, I don't think they will with us.  They'll likely trade back only a few spots to secure one of the top defensive players.

[raleigh-panther]

12 minutes ago, top dawg said:

I just don't think they're going to trade up if they sign Carr, so to me they would be "telegraphing their draft plans" in that scenario as well. 

I just don’t see them signing Carr. That’s an awful lot of money for an avg QB

have to sign Burns, that’s a lot 

[GOAT]

Let everything unfold during FA...see what those QB needy teams do...identify your guy...pull the trigger on draft day. 

[kungfoodude]

3 hours ago, raleigh-panther said:

I just don’t see them signing Carr. That’s an awful lot of money for an avg QB

have to sign Burns, that’s a lot 

There is no clear idea on the market for Carr yet, in fairness. There may exist a gap(or gulf) between what he wants to get paid and what the interested teams think he is worth. Perhaps he gets $35+ mil. Perhaps he gets significantly less.

[SmokinwithWilly]

20 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

There is no clear idea on the market for Carr yet, in fairness. There may exist a gap(or gulf) between what he wants to get paid and what the interested teams think he is worth. Perhaps he gets $35+ mil. Perhaps he gets significantly less.

Daniel Jones is going to affect his price as well. If Jones somehow gets in the $40+ per year range, I think Carr gets priced out for us. 

[kungfoodude]

7 minutes ago, SmokinwithWilly said:

Daniel Jones is going to affect his price as well. If Jones somehow gets in the $40+ per year range, I think Carr gets priced out for us. 

Yeah, that could easily have an impact. I will be interested to see what this QB market looks like.