Raleigh PF

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.

He has a no trade clause. It's up to him if he decides to accept a trade to a club he doesn't favor. The alternative is, he could sit out until the issue is resolved to his liking.