My take on the QB situation

[LinvilleGorge]

Teddy isn't the answer. Period. Now that that's out of the way, here's how I rank our options:

1. Trade for Deshaun Watson. Yes, it'll take a fortune. But, you're getting a proven MVP caliber 25 year old QB. The problem is that not only would it take a fortune, but the Jets and the Dolphins are both much better positioned to give the Texans a better offer than we can. That's why I honestly think it's a long shot. I think we're gonna try really hard, but I also think that we need both the Jets and the Dolphins to bow out of the race for us to get him. I would mention Russell Wilson here too, but evidently we're not on his list so that's a non-starter.

2. Trade up and draft Zach Wilson. Hell, this might be an even longer shot than trading for Watson. If the Jets stay put at #2 I see little chance they don't draft Wilson. I see very little chance that they actually choose to move forward with Sam Darnold.

Now that the long shots are out of the way, let's talk about what I view as the more realistic options continuing the rankings at #3:

3. Target either Justin Fields or Trey Lance and trade up to get him. This would mean jumping up to as high as #3. If we have one ranked considerably higher than the other (which I think is very possible), I don't think we can afford to sit on our hands and hope the draft board falls our way. We're going to have to be aggressive and go get our guy.

4. Sit tight and hope one of Fields and/or Lance falls to #8. This would be extremely risky and I think you only make this play if you're also willing to entertain another QB option in the draft.

5. Sign Mitch Trubisky. He's a free agent so no trade would be necessary. It would be a "prove it" deal so signing him wouldn't necessarily eliminate any of the other draft options already discussed. I would much rather sign Trubisky to a prove it deal than draft Mac Jones at #8.

6. Trade back and hope Mac Jones slips. This would be a good play if we signed Trubisky. I want no part of Jones at #8, but picking Jones would be a lot easier to stomach if it was in a trade down that netted us additional draft assets.

7. Draft Kellen Mond in the 2nd or 3rd. I do not love this. But that's why it's #7 on the list. IMO, we'd basically be drafting next year's #1 pick's backup. Kellen Mond would be our new Jimmy Clausen to deliver our future Cam Newton. I do not agree with Chris Simm's evaluation of Mond. The physical tools are there, I just see way too much inconsistency.

8. Trade for Garner Minshew. The Jags are drafting Trevor Lawrence. Minshew has real value as a backup, but so would a mid-round pick to help them build around Lawrence. Minshew is also still on a dirt cheap rookie contract so this move would have minimal cap implications. Some of y'all might be rolling your eyes at this suggestion, but do understand that we are WELL into the "oh fug, this is NOT going our way" portion of the list.

9 though infinity

[MHS831]

I think Jones could be a good pro.  Still, risky.  Mond in the second may be the best value in the draft---

Sign Trubiski, trade back, draft Mond and add picks.  Let Mond sit for a year, run some scout team, and use the picks to build the OL for Mitch--see if he can improve in a pocket with good WRs---if he does, lock him up, keep Mond and when he has a good preseason, trade him for a first rounder and a few other picks.  Who knows?--this year is such a crap shoot.

[WarPanthers89]

This is a refreshing new post that I have not seen before. Great choices!

Edited March 10, 2021 by WarPanthers89

[Untouchable]

I'd cut your 5, 6 and 8.

Watson is top choice, Wilson likely 2, Fields 3, Lance 4, Mond 5, and I'll add in Darnold at 6.

Options 2-6 offer a dynamic component that Bridgewater does not but also means Bridgewater is staying another year.

[Basbear]

4. Sit tight and hope Lance falls to #8. This would be extremely risky and I think you only make this play if you're also willing to entertain another QB option in the draft.

5. Sign Mitch Trubisky. He's a free agent so no trade would be necessary. It would be a "prove it" deal so signing him wouldn't necessarily eliminate any of the other draft options already discussed. I would much rather sign Trubisky to a prove it deal than draft Mac Jones at #8.

 

8. Trade for Garner Minshew. The Jags are drafting Trevor Lawrence. Minshew has real value as a backup, but so would a mid-round pick to help them build around Lawrence. Minshew is also still on a dirt cheap rookie contract so this move would have minimal cap implications. Some of y'all might be rolling your eyes at this suggestion, but do understand that we are WELL into the "oh fug, this is NOT going our way" portion of the list.

 

I echo these, just think its beyond dumb to trade picks for a QB for this current teams roster. Panthers need talent and picks help that.

[Shocker]

Nice job here.  Pretty much agree completely.

Edited March 11, 2021 by Shocker

[Varking]

It’s going to have to be option 3. Trade up to 3. 

[LinvilleGorge]

9 minutes ago, Varking said:

It’s going to have to be option 3. Trade up to 3. 

Yeah, that's the best reasonable option. The top two are both long shots IMO.

I do expect #3 to be on the auction block if the Jets end up trading for Watson (that's honestly my expectation).

[LinvilleGorge]

Scouts are people too. Sometimes they get caught up in just repeating platitudes. The ACC is weak... but featured half the playoff teams from last year? Had two top 5 teams? Four top 25 teams?

Okay... 

[CanadianCat]

I have given up hope on getting Watson. 

I think we end up drafting a QB. 

[LinvilleGorge]

18 minutes ago, CanadianCat said:

I have given up hope on getting Watson. 

I think we end up drafting a QB. 

I just don't know what to make of the situation. The first step is the Texans coming to terms with the reality that they're going to have to move him. I'm fairly confident that happens. The next step is the Jets and Dolphins balking due to trade cost and/or opting for other options either via the draft or via their current roster. I don't think the Jets move forward with Darnold. I'm fairly confident in that. I do think there's a decent to maybe even good chance that the Dolphins opt to not punt on Tua quite this quickly.

So basically, I see a Watson trade as still a possibility but one that we don't have much control over. We still need three other organizations' decisions to fall into place before we even get a serious seat at the table IMO.

[thefuzz]

2 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I just don't know what to make of the situation. The first step is the Texans coming to terms with the reality that they're going to have to move him. I'm fairly confident that happens. The next step is the Jets and Dolphins balking due to trade cost and/or opting for other options either via the draft or via their current roster. I don't think the Jets move forward with Darnold. I'm fairly confident in that. I do think there's a decent to maybe even good chance that the Dolphins opt to not punt on Tua quite this quickly.

So basically, I see a Watson trade as still a possibility but one that we don't have much control over. We still need three other organizations' decisions to fall into place before we even get a serious seat at the table IMO.

I'm starting to think that Teddy MAY be back again next season...if that happens, take the best OT at 8 and build smartly.

Or cut Teddy, clear the salary this season, and start Grier.

[LinvilleGorge]

12 minutes ago, thefuzz said:

I'm starting to think that Teddy MAY be back again next season...if that happens, take the best OT at 8 and build smartly.

Or cut Teddy, clear the salary this season, and start Grier.

I want no part of that option. If Teddy is back next year I'm out until we show that we're actually serious about trying to field a winning football team.

[thefuzz]

1 hour ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I want no part of that option. If Teddy is back next year I'm out until we show that we're actually serious about trying to field a winning football team.

I don't either, but starting to think the music may stop and the Panthers are the ones still standing up.