The Carolina Panthers announced Friday afternoon that they have traded up for the #1 pick in this year's NFL draft. The Panthers made a deal with the Chicago Bears and will give up a plethora of draft picks and an established Wide Receiver.
Carolina will send their 1st round, 9th overall pick to Chit-Town in the deal and their 2nd round pick for this year. In addition to that the Bears will get the Panthers 1st round pick next year, a second rounder in 2025 and D.J. Moore.
Moore had nearly 900 receiving yards in 2022 on 63 catches, despite a bad situation at QB for Carolina. Three of his five seasons as a pro, Moore has had over a 1,000 yard seasons. This past year he had a career high for TD catches in a season with 7, again despite poor play at the quarterback spot.
Moore's move does open some cap space though, last year he signed a 3-year deal for nearly 62 million, good through 2025. It is a surprising move given that their is not a clear-cut #1 prospect in this year's class. Many pundits believe Carolina has made the move to take a QB. Them at #1 they would have their choice of any young QB in the draft.
However, the movement of so many draft assets would keep the franchise from building around the QB position for years to come, seemingly. We will find out more of how the Panthers maybe leaning. Analysts seem to think they'll take CJ Stroud or Bryce Young at #1. If they stayed at #9 they still would likely had an opportunity to take another QB prospect after Stroud and Young would likely be off the board.
Many Panther fans are adamantly against the move, due to immense amount Carolina is giving up. There's way more questions than answers at this point. Regardless, of how people feel, the offseason just got interesting and will for sure offer us at The Fan Upstate, content opportunities with this move.