TRADE! Panthers Land No. 1 Pick from Bears; Falcons Impacted?
The Atlanta Falcons are likely to be seeing a new quarterback from the NFC South-rival Carolina Panthers.
According to NFL Network, the Panthers have traded for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from the Chicago Bears, who received quite the haul in return ...
- No. 9 overall pick in 2023
- Second-round (No. 61 overall) pick in 2023
- First-round pick in 2024
- Second-round pick in 2025
- Pro Bowl receiver D.J. Moore
The price to become well-positioned to draft a franchise quarterback isn't cheap - and the Panthers are simply the latest example.
The 25-year-old Moore, who caught a Hail Mary in the closing seconds of Atlanta's dramatic 37-34 overtime win over Carolina in Week 8, already has three 1,000-yard receiving seasons under his belt and caught 68 passes for 888 yards and seven scores this past season.
The draft's top quarterbacks are Alabama's Bryce Young and Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, both of whom are viewed as likely Week 1 starters.
But besides welcoming a new signal caller and waving goodbye to Moore, how are the Falcons impacted by the Panthers' moves?
Perhaps most importantly, Atlanta's now off the table to move up to No. 1, as had been previously rumored by NFL Network.
Considering the Houston Texans are likely to draft a quarterback at No. 2 overall, the Falcons are left to stare at Florida's Anthony Richardson and Kentucky's Will Levis, should they opt to select a new passer of their own.
If the Falcons do choose to pursue a quarterback, it's possible they'll target a trade with the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall.
However, with quarterbacks now set to go top two, Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. is primed to be available at the third pick - and with the Falcons ranking last in the league in sacks over the last two years, the possibility of adding Anderson Jr. becomes enticing.
Ultimately, whether Atlanta decides to move up remains to be seen - but it's now almost certain that a new franchise quarterback will be coming to the NFC South in April's draft.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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