The 2020 NFL draft is now exactly one month away. Most analysts are predicting that the Carolina Panthers will take a defensive prospect at No. 7 overall, and given their roster needs that makes plenty of sense. Selecting one of this year’s blue-chip defensive prospects like Isaiah Simmons and Jeff Okudah would offer a great deal of help where they need it most.
The draft is a fickle and unpredictable thing, though and often the only people who really know the plan are the ones in the room. That means Carolina fans should be prepared for a potential curveball pick at No. 7.
First of all, the Panthers met with Alabama stud Jerry Jeudy, who is arguably the top prospect in a very deep wide receiver class. He is almost guaranteed to be a top-10 pick, so if their interest is legitimate they’ll have to grab him quickly.
The team also went out of its way to get a look at Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert. While large swaths of the country were preparing for a shut-down due to the coronavirus spread and teams were closing their headquarters, general manager Marty Hurney flew out to the west coast to watch Herbert throw in person at his pro day and stayed after to congratulate him. While no one meeting is a smoking gun regarding a team’s draft plans, Hurney going out there when he did is significant.
Is it possible the team plans to draft Herbert or another quarterback even though they’re signing Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year deal? There’s certainly some smoke there, if not a fire.
It seems like ages ago now given all the changes the team has gone through, but a few months ago there were rumors that the Panthers planned to shop Cam Newton, sign a veteran quarterback and draft another one. So far, two of those predictions have come to pass. Newton is now on the trade block and the Bridgewater signing should be official any day.
The length of Bridgewater’s contract is also a clue. While we don’t have all the details as of yet, three years hardly qualifies as a long-term commitment, especially for a 27-year old quarterback who suffered a major knee injury a few years ago. Unless Bridgewater absolutely balls out in 2020 and 2021, there’s a good chance the team will move on before his deal expires after the 2022 season.
Even Bridgewater’s name and skill-set are suggestive of a bridge option, not those of a future franchise QB. He does a good job reading defenses and taking what’s given, but he rarely pushes the ball downfield with aggressive throws. According to Pro Football Focus, his average depth of target since he came into the league is just 7.54 yards – which ranks No. 95 in the NFL.
The Panthers still have a lot of holes to fill even after signing a series of low-cost players in the first week of free agency. However, finding a dynamic passer who can lead the team back from deficits has to be high on the team’s list of priorities. They happen to already have one on the roster, but it’s clear Cam Newton won’t be coming back.
Bridgewater should be penciled in as the team’s starter this year. However, it should come as no surprise if Hurney drafts his eventual replacement next month. So, who could it be?
This year’s top two QB prospects – Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa – are out of reach. Even if the Panthers could trade up for either one of them it would be inadvisable given the plethora of position groups that need help. That means if they do plan to pick a quarterback this year they’ll have to settle for one of the second-tier prospects, likely Herbert or Utah’s Jordan Love.
For now, let’s open this up to a vote. Do you think the Panthers should draft a quarterback this year, or should they stick with Bridgewater instead?
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