15-04-2025
Report: Panthers 'open' to trading down in 1st round of 2025 NFL draft
Report: Panthers 'open' to trading down in 1st round of 2025 NFL draft
The Carolina Panthers may be all ears during the first night of the 2025 NFL draft.
In a new article from Monday, Joe Person of The Athletic examined the possibility, and precedent, of a first-round trade-down for the Panthers. And before diving into some potential scenarios, he noted the following about Carolina—who could use a division rival's need for a new quarterback to their advantage:
First, any other team targeting [Shedeur] Sanders (or another quarterback) could look to move in front of the [New Orleans] Saints by trading with the Panthers, who are open to the idea of moving back depending on what happens in front of them in the draft, according to league sources.
On Friday, we learned that Saints starting quarterback Derek Carr is dealing with a significant shoulder injury. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the 34-year-old veteran may also opt for surgery, which would likely sideline him for at least a portion of the upcoming campaign.
New Orleans is currently positioned in the ninth overall slot of the draft, which has them sitting right behind Carolina and the eighth overall pick. So, yeah, the Panthers might be in the sweet spot for another passer-needy team looking to cut off the Saints.
President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan, in fact, has already stated earlier this offseason that he wouldn't rule out a trade off that No. 8 selection.
"I don't see us trading up. I do see the potential of us trading back and picking up more picks," Morgan said on WFNZ's Mac & Bone back in late February. "That's always a possibility. But we're gonna play all the different scenarios and we're gonna be ready when the time comes."
Well, that time could come next Thursday night.
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