2022 Carolina Acquires QB Dekoda Link, Two First Rounders

[Sarge]

 

Charlotte, NC - The Carolina Panthers continued on their dramatic rebuild plan by shocking the NFL landscape by sending several Pro Bowl caliber and young talent to the already formidable Denver Broncos in a package deal. There was initial speculation in the pre-draft process that the Panthers were going to take their QB for the future at #3 but instead traded down for a ransom in order to build for the future. Well, now they have their guy. QB Dekoda Link, who was in line to start for the first time this week for the Broncos will now immediately slide into the QB1 position and take his first career start wearing Carolina blue. Fans are uneasy with the departure of a few start, specifically stand outs CB William Owens, OG David McNeal and WR Rondald Spencer. With that being said, if the Panthers front office pulls this off whatever convoluted plan they have, they seem poised to contend in the future for a very long time.

 

 

In the trade, the Panthers acquired young talent that they hope they can develop in addition to Link. OG Whitaker will have to fill the giant shoes of McNeal.OT Michael Archer and DT Marco Everett have plenty of upside as well so they'll need to capitalize on the playing time they'll receive.

 

Not only was young talent acquired, but so were additional picks in this rebuild for the ages. As it stands now, Carolina currently possesses the following picks over the 2023 and 2024 Draft:

 

2023 Picks:

CAR 1st

IND 1st

WAS 1st

DEN 1st

CAR 3rd

WAS 3rd

CAR 4th

CAR 6th

WAS 6th

CAR 7th

 

2024 Picks:

CAR 1st

IND 1st

DEN 1st

CAR 2nd

CAR 3rd

CAR 4th

CAR 6th

CAR 7th

 

When questioned, the Carolina ownership group gave the following statement. "We're excited to have our Franchise quarterback in Dekoda Link and are excited to build the team around his talents. RB Agnew will try to take some pressure off Link to perform immediately, but our #1 priority will be targets for Dekoda and a line for both Link and Angew to flourish behind. Our draft capital over the next two years and cap space in the future give us unrivaled flexibility in the league, and we urge our fans to be patient as we build this team together."

Edited July 19, 2022 by Sarge

[tsweezy]

Question: given all the picks stockpiled, is Carolina officially tanking this year and going to attempt to lose out?

[Sarge]

Carolina is going to attempt to win every game on their schedule with the personnel we have available ready to suit up and compete.

[kgreene829]

Question: After a big move like this they is sure to be a lot of discussion in the locker room how is the rest of the team reacting to this news?

[Sarge]

Younger players are excited to have more snaps and opportunities but there is concern within the locker room about when wins are going to start going to be the goal. We have addressed our players and stressed that as long as there's buy-in there will be wins sooner than they realize.