USAT: Panthers Wire audio clip

USAT: Panthers Wire

Feb 20, 2022

If Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule wants to stick around for 2023 (or all of 2022 for that matter), then not much more can go wrong. So, what’s the recipe to stay away from that potential canning? - Well, Pro Football Focus analyst Anthony Treash has two guidelines for Rhule and the Panthers to follow—one a best-case outcome and the other a worst-case outcome for the current offseason. The worst case, according to Treash, would see Carolina take University of Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett with the upcoming draft’s sixth overall pick. - “At No. 6 overall, though, this would be a major reach,” he writes. “Pickett’s tendency to hold onto the ball is his biggest issue, leading to some concerns about how his game will translate to the NFL. Pickett averaged 3.19 seconds per throw in 2021, which would have been the slowest time in the NFL this past season. And for a quarterback who isn’t a dynamic athlete, that’s a massive worry.” - The Pitt Panther has been linked to the Carolina Panthers through rumblings from this year’s Senior Bowl and his prior connection to Rhule as a high school recruit. But his shortcomings, as noted by many, may not exactly warrant such a hefty investment in the 23-year-old passer. - Instead, as Treash suggests, the team should look to recoup some lost capital and move down the order in what would be their best-case scenario. - “Pickett was a fantastic college quarterback in 2021, but the No. 6 overall pick is way too early for him to come off the board. Carolina should aggressively attempt to trade back. Then, if it’s feasible, the Panthers can take a swing on a quarterback.” - Carolina will be without second and third-round selections this spring as a result of their swaps for quarterback Sam Darnold and cornerback CJ Henderson. So, with general manager Scott Fitterer being the pick merchant he is, shifting down in the first round to breath some additional life into the roster could be a very real (and apparently the most desirable) possibility. - - RelatedPanthers assistant GM Dan Morgan interviews with SteelersESPN's Todd McShay latest to mock CB Sauce Gardner to Panthers - - List - - Panthers' 2022 unrestricted free agents - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Panthers Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Panthers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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