Tired of spending years in the quarterback wilderness, shuffling in a string of mostly ineffective veterans at the game’s most important position, the Carolina Panthers made a bold move that has been all too common in recent years.
The Panthers packaged two first-round picks, two second-round picks and star receiver D.J. Moore to move up from No. 9 in the draft to the top overall selection to give Carolina the pick of the lot at quarterback in next week’s draft.
“You go get the guy that you want,” Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said before making the move. “If you have a conviction on a guy, you go get him.”
Whether that guy is betting favorite from FanDuel Sportsbook Bryce Young, or one of the three other QBs projected to go in the first round — C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson or Will Levis — won’t be known for certain until next Thursday night.
This marks the first time since 2016 that a team traded the top pick, with the Rams trading up to take Jared Goff that season.