Kiper Projects Panthers to Trade Up in Recent Mock Draft

Carolina makes a move to get their guy.

In Mel Kiper Jr.'s most recent mock draft on ESPN, he has the Carolina Panthers making a trade with the Seattle Seahawks to land the No. 5 overall pick, where he has them taking Kentucky quarterback Will Levis. 

Here's his explanation of the projected pick:

The reality is we're going to know much more about Carolina's draft plans once

free agency plays out

in a few weeks. If Carolina doesn't add

Derek Carr

or

Jimmy Garoppolo

(or

Aaron Rodgers

!), it's going to be desperate for one of these top quarterbacks, which makes a trade up more likely. The Panthers' only passers under contract are 2022 third-round pick

Matt Corral

-- who was added by former coach Matt Rhule -- and 25-year-old journeyman

Jacob Eason

. Yes, they could add a veteran bridge quarterback, too, but if they like Levis, they shouldn't pass up the opportunity to move up a few spots to get him.

Levis isn't loved by every NFL scout, but his potential is really high. He has a cannon for an arm, even if he can be a little sloppy with the ball at times. He played in a pro-style offense for the Wildcats and didn't have much elite talent around him, especially along the offensive line. Will he excel once he gets around a step up in talent? That's a bet a team will be willing to take. Carolina will have a chance to build around him, starting this offseason. If the Panthers choose to stay at No. 9, by the way, keep an eye on a pass-rusher. Tight end is a need, too, but that's early for one, even in a talented class.

So, what triggered this move up the board? Kiper has the top two quarterbacks going one, two in the draft.

1. QB Bryce Young - HOU (trade with CHI)

2. QB C.J. Stroud - IND (trade with IND)

3. DE Will Anderson - ARI 

4. DT Jalen Carter - CHI (trade with IND)

Although I would understand Carolina's desire to move up to get a quarterback, this seems a bit reactionary. If Scott Fitterer falls in love with a QB in this draft, he's not going to trade up to take "the next best guy" just to get a rookie quarterback. If they don't get in a position to select Young or Stroud, they'll more than likely stay put at No. 9 and take a QB if there is one there that they like. I haven't seen anything special in Will Levis that warrants a move up the board. 

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