Last year the Panthers decision to take Cam Newton with first overall pick proved to be much better than a number of draft experts believed. Typically, teams with a franchise-caliber quarterback in place wouldn’t considering taking another one the following year, especially when you consider that they drafted Jimmy Clausen during the second-round the year before, but Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer mentions that the Panthers could have interest in drafting Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson to backup Newton next season.
Last year the Panthers signed Derek Anderson to be the teams backup but Anderson’s skill-set isn’t close to the same as Newton’s which could create a problem if something were to happen to Newton; or at least that’s the thinking here.
“You have to look at it in those terms and say, ‘How much does the offense change if (Newton) is in or if he’s not in?’ “said Panthers head coach Ron Rivera at a Senior Bowl practice. “It’s one of those things that you’re going to discuss and talk about as we go forward.”
Wilson has shown that he can make plays outside of the pocket and displayed his efficiency this season for the Badgers by tallying 33 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. On top of that, Wilson completed over 78% of his passes. The real knock on him is his size. Wilson measured in at just over 5’10 which is a real concern for scouts and could force him back into the fourth-round of the draft.
Carolina wouldn’t be willing to take another quarterback early on but in the fourth-round they could look to add a sufficient backup option that can run Rob Chudzinski’s offense.
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