NFL Draft Odds: Will the Panthers go Offensive Line or Quarterback?
NFL Draft Odds: Will the Panthers go Offensive Line or Quarterback?
The Carolina Panthers are in a difficult position. Last year, they decided to trade a second and fourth-round pick for Sam Darnold in hopes that he was just a product of Adam Gase and poor management by the Jets. Unfortunately for their case, that proved to be false as Darnold struggled with turnovers again in 2021.
Now in a little bit of a weaker quarterback class, they could either take a gamble on one of these college kids, or perhaps they go with an offensive lineman in hopes of building up that unit for whoever is the quarterback next year and beyond.
Here's what the NFL Draft odds have to say for the Carolina Panthers.
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Carolina Panthers Draft Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Charles Cross | +200 |
| Kayon Thibodeaux | +300 |
| Kenny Pickett | +350 |
| Evan Neal | +550 |
| Malik Willis | +600 |
| The Field | +1000 |
Charles Cross +200 (Bet $100 to win $200)
First up we have the offensive line route. Again, the value on quarterback in this draft in the top-10 isn't great (we'll get to them in a minute) but there are three very good offensive tackles in the 2022 class. Ikem Ekwonu, Evan Neal, and Charles Cross project as franchise tackles. For an offensive line that PFF ranked 31st in the NFL last year, they have to continue to improve it or no matter who they put back there won't have a chance. Adding Austin Corbett on the interior should help but they desperately need to overhaul the tackle position.
Kenny Pickett +350 (Bet $100 to win $350)
If there's one quarterback to bet on in the top 10, it's Malik Willis and not Kenny Pickett. Pickett may have the higher floor but the ceiling is likely extremely limited. He's a soon-to-be 24-year-old with small hands, it's going to be a no from me. The video of Matt Rhule and Ben McAdoo getting a look at Kenny Pickett's hand is an all-timer. Poor, Carolina.
Kayvon Thibodeaux is listed at +300 but I don't think he makes it past the Jets at pick four, and Evan Neal at +550 is also likely gone by the time the Panthers are picking at six. Charles Cross feels like the pick, which is why he has the best odds, but it really feels like a draft your franchise tackle, run it back with Sam Darnold and wait for the 2023 quarterback class.