2020 NFL Draft: 5 Teams that should trade up for Tua Tagovailoa

3. Carolina Panthers

It feels as if we’ve been discussing the uncertainty at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers for the past year. Even since Cam Newton made his last start for the team in Week 2, the rumblings that the franchise should move on from the former No. 1 overall pick to save money and hit reset at the position given Newton’s age and signs of wear-and-tear at this point began.

Kyle Allen‘s early-season run as the starting quarterback had some people starting to believe he could be the right option to at least be a stopgap should the team move on from Newton. However, once more film on him became available, it became clear that was not the case — nor is it the case with 2019 third-round pick Will Grier. Thus, hanging onto Newton might be the Panthers’ best available option.

At the same time though, Panthers owner David Tepper’s decision to hire Matt Rhule at head coach and Joe Brady at offensive coordinator suggest that Newton might not be long for Carolina. Both coaches come from the college ranks and, while the prospect of Newton in the high-flying offense we saw from LSU under Brady’s watch this past season is enticing, that duo might be best served by bringing in a young quarterback and developing together with him.

Sitting at the No. 7 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft behind the Bengals, Dolphins and Chargers, the Panthers might be behind the 8-ball a bit in terms of the quarterback class if they stand pat. However, they’re close enough to No. 3 that they could move up the four spots without incurring substantial costs and be able to get a guy they could trust to be the new man under center in Carolina.