The Carolina Panthers have told Sam Darnold that there's every chance they will add a quarterback as the NFL draft offers the NFC South team a chance to snag one of the top college prospects.
The Panthers hold only one selection over the first two days of the draft - the number six overall pick - with Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett 3/1 to hear his name called at that time and 4/1 chance Malik Willis of Liberty the other QB in contention to go that early in round one.
Options for the Panthers
It's also possible that the Panthers trade down and still take a quarterback later in the first round or even on day two, but reports are emerging that suggest more teams are looking to trade down the board than up, making it tough for general managers to reposition and gain value.
Panthers GM Scott Fitterer met Darnold on Monday to discuss team plans to potentially select a quarterback in this draft and what it would mean to the ex-New York Jets triggerman.
Carolina gave up their 2022 second-round and 2022 fourth-round picks as part of the Darnold trade, which has gone south for them after committing to pay the $18.9 million fifth-year option on the QB's deal.
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Darnold may edging to the end
This looks increasingly like being Darnold's final year in Charlotte as the team move on with plans to bring in a rookie to learn the offense and take over later in 2022.
"In our conversation I said, 'Hey, we are going to add to this group through this weekend, there's a pretty good chance we could add to this group,'" Fitterer said, via ESPN.
"It's open competition. It's his spot right now, but whoever can take the spot and run with it, we're going to do that."
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