PFF names Panthers’ biggest draft mistake from past 5 years

The Carolina Panthers haven’t been able to find a franchise quarterback since the first coming of Cam Newton. But it hasn’t been for a lack of trying.

Nonetheless, Pro Football Focus has pointed to the franchise’s effort—one that’s cost them quite a few picks—as their biggest draft mistake of the last five years.

It began with Will Grier in 2018, when the Panthers plucked the Davidson, N.C. native out of West Virginia University with a third-round pick. Grier ended up starting the final two games of a lost 2019 campaign, where he completed 28 of his 52 throws for 228, zero touchdowns and four interceptions. He was released in the summer of 2021.

Then, the new regime led by head coach Matt Rhule and general manager Scott Fitterer took a roll on Sam Darnold—who cost them a 2021 sixth-rounder, a 2022 second-rounder and a 2022 fourth-rounder. He, of course, didn’t pan out quite like they had hoped.

2022 then brought two more swings—one on Matt Corral and the other on Baker Mayfield. The former, in a swap with the New England Patriots, cost them their 2022 fourth and a 2023 third while the latter ultimately took a 2024 fifth away.

So, that’s seven draft picks that have resulted in zero hits.

Well, at least there’s hope with that ninth overall selection, according to PFF lead draft analyst Mike Renner.

“While the approach of throwing as many darts as one can at the proverbial quarterback dartboard is respectable, the Panthers were in striking distance for both the 2020 and 2021 quarterback classes and failed to pull the trigger on either,” he wrote. “We’ll see if they change their approach with their fourth straight top-10 pick.”