David Tepper and the Carolina Panthers now control the draft. Did he get a good deal?
In a bold aggressive trade David Tepper alters the direction of the franchise
Thanks for subscribing to All Access Football.
Today, we’ll be looking at David Tepper’s aggressive trade to control the 2023 draft.
SPONSORED BY: The Draftnick’s
All Acess Football Membership includes a PDF copy of the NFLDB.
Socialize with the Draftnick’s and ask Ric and Mike any questions you want on Private Zoom meets!
Access code will be provided in the NFLDB members area and emailed to all paid members for Private Zoom.
Online access to NFLDB historical archives
250 Limited Edition 2023 NFL Draft Bible hard copy + PDF download editions
Online access to the most accurate big board over the past two decades featuring projections for 2023 and beyond
In-depth scouting report library with thousands of prospect profiles for past, present and future
Verified player measureables, personal background information, medical history and historical stats
Dedicated, year-round coverage with on-site campus visits across the country
On location reporting from the all-star circuit, combine, pro days and draft
NFL Draft Substack Insider newsletter delivered directly to your inbox
Access to events and private Q&A with Ric
The NFLDB network was buzzing with excitement last night as the Carolina Panthers made a bold move to secure the first overall pick in the upcoming draft. After several failed attempts to land a franchise quarterback, owner David Tepper decided to pull out all the stops and make a deal with the Chicago Bears. This high-risk, high-reward move could alter the franchise's future for the Panthers and have significant ramifications for the NFL as a whole.
Banner, the former longtime president of the Philadelphia Eagles and former CEO of the Cleveland Browns, also went a bit in-depth on Moore.
“So Moore is an important part of the trade,” he said via The 33rd Team on Friday night. “They [the Bears] got a quality player and a favorable contract—there’s no doubt about that. But we shouldn’t now start exaggerating what he is.
“Teams that have true No. 1 elite difference-making [wide receivers] have something that—I’m not even somebody who puts as much weight as people do in the value of wide receivers. But a true difference-making A.J. Brown, [DeAndre] Hopkins in his prime, [Justin] Jefferson today—those guys can make a big, big difference in games. That is not what Moore is.
“Now, I’m not bad-mouthing him. He’s a good player. Everything I hear, he’s a quality person. He is something they definitely need if they’re gonna have a chance to prove that [Justin] Fields is the guy. But let’s keep in perspective what he is—he’s a quality starter as opposed to a difference-making elite wide receiver.”
Banner believes that no other team has worked as hard as the Carolina Panthers to find their franchise quarterback. Despite trading two first- and second-round picks along with receiver D.J. Moore, he believes the Panthers underpaid in their trade for the No. 1 overall pick with the Chicago Bears. In a weak NFC South, the Panthers could have a quick turnaround in 2023.
The Panthers' decision to trade up for the top pick will have a ripple effect throughout the league, especially with teams scrambling to adjust their QB draft strategies. While it remains to be seen who the Panthers will select with the first pick, I think Stroud, this move has set the stage for an exciting and unpredictable draft. Only time will tell if this gamble will pay off for the Panthers, but one thing is certain – the NFL landscape just got a whole lot more interesting.
“This league is set to be an 8-8 league,” David Tepper said in the Amazon series.
“Everything is fair in this league. So if you have better coaches, better GM’s, some advantages with facilities, advantages with the training, management process, whatever those, whatever it is, you know, analytics, whatever that is to give you an edge, that’s what you need. And you need a good quarterback.”
The price it cost the Panthers to take control of the draft ended up costing 2023’s ninth overall pick, 2023’s 61st overall pick, a 2024 first-rounder, a 2025 second-rounder, and wide receiver DJ Moore.
Compare this to the cost the Eagles paid in 2016 to move up to #2 to select Carson Wentz.
I would tend to agree with Joe Banner that the Carolina Panthers underpaid for the #1 pick, but I also believe that the Chicago Bears got an intriguing haul and a potential #1 WR talent in DJ Moore.
Here are the Panthers 2023 selections:
No. 1 overall (First round; from Chicago Bears)
No. 39 overall (Second round)
No. 93 overall (Third round; from San Francisco 49ers)
No. 114 overall (Fourth round)
No. 132 overall (Fourth round; from San Francisco 49ers)
No. 145 overall (Fifth round)
C.J. Stroud is the new betting favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook to go No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, meanwhile, is no longer atop the 2023 odds board.
Ric’s Top Quarterbacks for 2023
Quarterbacks
1. CJ Stroud, Ohio State | REPORT
2. Bryce Young, Alabama | REPORT
3. Anthony Richardson | REPORT
4. Will Levis, Kentucky | REPORT
5. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee | REPORT
Have yourself a great Saturday,
Ric
When assembling the NFL Draft Bible rankings, our staff accounts for all 32 teams in an attempt to provide what a consensus big board looks like. All final scouting reports will be published in the Official 2023 NFL Draft Bible PDF here. We are also making a limited edition of 250 hard copies available to the public. Get 15% off online access and a hard copy below.
Mike and Ric
NFL Draft All Access Podcast, airing Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:00 am eastern time.
*Be sure to follow @NFLDraftBible for the latest NFL Draft news and
Sports Illustrated NFL Draft Coverage
