The Carolina Panthers hold the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after finishing 5-12 last season. While this year’s quarterback class has generally been considered one of the weaker groups in recent memory, there has been speculation that the New Orleans Saints – who pick ninth overall – could be the floor for Shedeur Sanders.
Following news that Derek Carr could miss the entire season, reports have grown stronger that New Orleans will take a quarterback. Panthers general manager Dan Morgan recently revealed that Carolina is open to moving down if a team wants to jump their NFC South rivals in the draft.
Panthers GM Dan Morgan Discusses Moving Down
The Carolina Panthers have plenty of holes to fill in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, they are set at quarterback as Bryce Young enters his third season. While they have nine picks, they are open to moving down – likely for extra draft capital. Ian Rapoport shared the news on Monday, tweeting:
“#Panthers GM Dan Morgan said his phone didn’t go nuts after the news broke on Derek Carr’s shoulder injury… despite holding the No. 8 pick, right before the #Saints. But he sounds like a guy open to offers. ‘We’ll be waiting if somebody wants to come up’.”
Carr missed seven games in 2024, marking the first time in his career that he failed to play at least 15 games. While the Saints were just 5-5 in games which he started, they were 0-7 in his absence.
The 34-year-old veteran ranked 11th in PFN’s QB+ metric last season. New Orleans restructured his contract last month to lower his 2025 cap hit to $20.4 million.
While Carolina could be in a position to grab a top-10 talent, the opportunity to move back and acquire additional draft picks should be enticing to a franchise that has not finished over .500 since 2017.
Furthermore, if the Panthers believe that Shedeur Sanders – or whichever quarterback remains on the board – will be a difference-maker at the professional level, it could be in their best interest to prevent him from going to their division rivals.
It is unclear how far back the Panthers would be willing to move down; however, they could be in a position to acquire a decent package in return. Carolina’s front office will have plenty to consider, but the Panthers are unlikely to make a trade until they are on the clock.
The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is set to begin next Thursday, with the Tennessee Titans expected to take Cam Ward first overall.
