Pre-training camp 2021 NFL Power Rankings: Packers slide, Titans climbing

Matt Rhule is entering his second season as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers and he’s made his choice for a franchise quarterback in Sam Darnold. The former No. 3 overall pick was a mess with the New York Jets but much of that was on former head coach Adam Gase.

With Gase out, the Jets elected not to see if Darnold could be fixed but instead sent him to the Panthers for a second-round pick. It could prove to be well worth the investment but it also meant they passed on a chance to get one of the quarterbacks in this class.

It would have been impossible to predict exactly how things would fall but they still were on the clock at No. 8 with Justin Fields ready to be selected. Carolina went with Jaycee Horn who should become an elite cornerback but there’s a chance that the Panthers could regret their decision to go with Darnold.

The good news is, they have players who can help Darnold succeed. Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore are solid wide receivers and they should be able to get Christian McCaffrey back to full speed after his injury-plagued season in 2020.

Still, they feel like the fourth-best team in the NFC South and unless they see a huge leap from Darnold, they’re going to be on the outside of the playoff picture.