Carolina Panthers

Now that the 2022 NFL draft is officially in the books, the biggest questions left to be answered this offseason involve the eventual landing spots for Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo. 

Even though both quarterbacks would probably have liked an answer by now, there could be plenty of suitors as we get closer to the start of training camp. It also would seem to benefit them that the incoming crop of rookie quarterbacks seemed to be regarded much lower than even pre-draft prognosticators believed. 

This quarterback class was widely regarded as one of the weakest in recent memory going into the draft. As it turns out, Kenny Pickett was the only one taken in the first two rounds when the Pittsburgh Steelers took him at pick No. 20. 

Desmond Ridder (Atlanta Falcons), Malik Willis (Tennessee Titans) and Matt Corral (Carolina Panthers) didn't even get selected until round three. Per ESPN Stats & Info, this is the third time in the past 30 years only one quarterback was selected in the first two rounds. 

Given the limited enthusiasm for what this rookie class can do in 2022, Mayfield and Garoppolo could be attractive trade options in the coming months. 

Garoppolo's situation is more complicated right now. He had shoulder surgery in March, and it's unclear when he will be cleared to do football activities. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo (h/t NFL.com's Nick Shook) reported the plan is for him to be throwing "well ahead" of training camp. 

Mayfield also had surgery in January to repair a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder that he injured during the 2021 season. ESPN's Jake Trotter reported he is expected to be cleared before training camp. 

Both players have one year remaining on their current contracts. Their salaries could present a problem for interested teams.

Per ESPN's David Newton, the Panthers and Cleveland Browns were talking about a trade involving Mayfield during Day 2 of the NFL draft on Friday. Those discussions broke down when the teams couldn't agree on how much of Mayfield's $18.9 million salary Cleveland would pick up. 

The Panthers ultimately acquired the 94th overall pick from the New England Patriots via trade to select Corral.

Despite how things reportedly broke down between the Panthers and Browns over Mayfield's salary, it's still hard to fathom that Carolina will enter the 2022 season with Sam Darnold and Corral as its top two quarterbacks. 

Darnold has thrown for 18 touchdowns and 24 interceptions in the past two seasons combined. 

B/R's Nate Tice wrote in his scouting report for Corral that he "needs a lot of work with timing, anticipation and the true quarterback processes" before being ready to play in the NFL. 

Meanwhile, Garoppolo is owed $24.2 million this season. He also has a $26.95 million cap hit. 

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports wrote on Thursday he believes Garoppolo could end up with the Panthers eventually. 

"I don't get the impression anyone in Charlotte is pressed to bring Mayfield on right now (he was never getting traded before the draft), and I don't believe the Panthers view him as a personality fit in the locker room over Garoppolo," Jones said. 

The Panthers do have the most available cap space in the NFL ($30.9 million), so they could bring in either Mayfield or Garoppolo at their full salary if they wanted. 

Neither the Browns nor San Francisco 49ers are operating from a position of leverage. Mayfield has made it clear he wants out of Cleveland, and the team's acquisition of Deshaun Watson would seem to increase the urgency to move on. 

If the Panthers want either player, they are playing this very wisely by not making a rash decision. There will come a point when San Francisco or Cleveland blinks on its trade demands, and a deal comes together.

Another potential option for either quarterback could be the Seattle Seahawks, though there could be hurdles to making that happen. 

At the very least, head coach Pete Carroll isn't anticipating anything happening quickly if the Seahawks do trade for a veteran:

Pete Carroll on the NFL Network, asked about adding another QB, gives the standard response that "we're always looking.'' But asked if a QB would be added by end of the weekend says "nothing's going to change that quick now. Happy with the guys we've got.''

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) April 30, 2022

After acquiring Drew Lock from the Denver Broncos as part of the Russell Wilson trade, conventional wisdom suggested that Seattle would pursue a quarterback at some point in the draft. 

The Seahawks certainly had plenty of chances to do that. They made three picks on Day 2 of the draft before the second quarterback of the draft came off the board, but they elected to go in different directions.

Seattle would need the Browns to eat some of Mayfield's salary to fit him under the cap. The team currently has $12.9 million in cap space. 

It doesn't sound like Seattle is eager to bring in Mayfield, based on a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

According to @rapsheet, the Seahawks’ interest in Baker Mayfield was “lukewarm at best” because of his fit in their system.

— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) April 30, 2022

Garoppolo could be difficult for the Seahawks to acquire in a trade because it seems unlikely the 49ers would want to give a division rival a starting quarterback. 

Perhaps we should start believing Pete Carroll when he said the Seahawks "loved" Drew Lock when he was available in the 2019 NFL draft. 

HEIGHT: 6'4 3/4"

WEIGHT: 311

HAND: 10"

ARM: 34 1/8"

WINGSPAN: 6'10 1/4"

40-YARD DASH: 5.24

3-CONE: 7.57

SHUTTLE: 4.71

VERTICAL: 26"

BROAD: 8'6"

POSITIVES

— Crafty hand fighter who does a nice job working his hands inside the frame of defenders to get them leaning, pinned and uprooted out of rushing lanes.

— Good lower-body strength and jolt in his hands to create knockback and movement on angle-drive blocks.

— Physical and nasty play demeanor with the strength to back it up and finish at a high level.

— Solid athletic ability on the move to line up targets at the second level on pulls and climbs.

— Uses strong hands to end the fight quickly when he can get latched on rushers using a jump set.

— Shows the patience, balance and independent hands to punch, redirect and stay in front of inside counters.

NEGATIVES

— Tends to dip his head into contact, leaving him susceptible to inaccurate fits and whiffs versus gap exchanges across his face.

— Needs to clean up his aiming points and body positioning on double-teams to stay square when feeding defensive tackles so he can better key, release and pick up fast-flowing linebackers scraping over the top.

— Can be late with his outside hand in pass protection, which creates a soft edge for quick, easy wins around the corner.

— Struggles to break contact or regain control against the long-arm, resulting in getting stacked and pressed off blocks if he doesn't initiate first contact.

2021 STATISTICS

- Started 10 games at right tackle.

- Second-team All-SEC selection.

NOTES

— Originally committed and played at Georgia as a 5-star prospect and top recruit in the state of Tennessee before transferring in 2020 to Tennessee.

— 35 career starts with 19 at right guard, 12 at right tackle, two at left guard and two at left tackle.

OVERALL

Mays is a four-year starter and former top overall recruit in the state of Tennessee with 35 career starts across four positions on the offensive line. He started the last two seasons at Tennessee after transferring from Georgia, with the bulk of his starts coming at right tackle.

Mays has a thick, well-rounded build with good arm length and a rugged, physical playing style. He is a skilled hand fighter with the necessary blend of play strength and power to explode into contact with pop before gaining control of defenders, working them off-balance and using his big body to create creases and rushing lanes on angle-drive, down and double-team blocks.

Mays is an effective lead blocker in the screen game with the quickness to track smaller targets and work inside-out on them to create alleys on the move. He does need to refine his aiming points when banging down on double-teams to feed defensive tackles without turning his shoulders too far inside and sacrificing his release timing up to the second level. He also tends to get pressed off blocks too often due to being wide with his hands or high on contact.

Mays shows above-average snap timing and explosiveness out of his stance in protection to get on rushers quickly using his jump set, with the girth and grip strength to wall off, latch and end the fight quickly. Rushers with an effective long-arm technique can press him off and control him too easily due to his feet tending to die on contact. He also needs to shore up his timing with his outside hand to prevent soft corners that rushers can capture quickly.

Overall, Mays' size, play strength, power and demeanor are a better fit inside at guard, but he has enough athletic ability and size to play tackle in a pinch. He will need some refinement in his technique as a run-blocker to improve his pad level and hand placement, but he has the grip strength and torque to create movement with the quickness to execute zone concepts effectively.

Mays should be a high-level backup at multiple positions right away with the potential to earn a starting job in year one. He has the tools to stick long-term in a multiple-run scheme.

GRADE: 6.9 (Potential role player - 4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 121

POSITION RANK: IOL15

PRO COMPARISON: Matt Slauson

Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn

The Carolina Panthers drafted Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Matt Corral with the 94th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft on Friday in Las Vegas.

Corral had an impressive junior season for the Rebels in 2021, completing 67.9 percent of his passes for 3,349 yards and 20 touchdowns against five interceptions. He also rushed for 614 yards and 11 scores.

The 23-year-old also had an outstanding sophomore season in 2020, completing 70.9 percent of his passes for 3,337 yards and 29 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. He also rushed for 506 yards and four scores. His running game greatly improved in each of his seasons at Ole Miss.

Here is what Carolina's draft chart will look like following the selection of Corral.

QB1: Sam Darnold

QB2: Matt Corral

QB3: P.J. Walker

If Corral sees the field, it'll be interesting to see how he plays and fits in for the Panthers. There was no clear No. 1 quarterback in this year's class, so Corral will have to prove himself if he wants that designation.

Bleacher Report's Scouting Department ranked Corral as the fourth-best quarterback in the draft behind Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder, Liberty's Malik Willis and Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett. In addition, they ranked him as the 78th-best prospect.

B/R NFL Scout Nate Tice also compared Corral to Baltimore Ravens backup quarterback Tyler Huntley because of his above-average accuracy, his above-average arm strength and his consistent and quick release:

"Overall, Corral is a fun player whose competitive play will fire up teammates and create yards out of thin air. He can flash ball placement when in rhythm, but he has benefited from an offense that lets him wait for his receivers to come open based on both design and the pockets created. He needs a lot of work with timing, anticipation and the true quarterback processes that are required of full-time NFL starting quarterbacks."

Corral certainly might go through some growing pains during his first NFL season, but he should handle the challenge well.

The Carolina Panthers are betting big on Ikem Ekwonu to be an anchor of their offensive line for years to come after selecting him with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft on Thursday.

A three-year starter at NC State, Ekwonu began his college career at left guard. He moved to left tackle midway through his freshman season and eventually stayed there for good.

Ekwonu was named to the All-ACC team in each of the past two seasons, including a first-team selection as a redshirt sophomore in 2021. He was also a unanimous All-American and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the best blocking offensive lineman in the ACC last year.

All of those accolades certainly won't calm the hype for Ekwonu as he prepares to start his professional career. Here is the Panthers' depth chart with the NC State alum added to the offensive line:

QB: Sam Darnold, P.J. Walker

RB: Christian McCaffrey, Chuba Hubbard, D'Onta Foreman

FB: Giovanni Ricci

WR 1: DJ Moore

WR 2: Robbie Anderson

WR 3: Terrace Marshall Jr., Rashard Higgins

TE: Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas, Stephen Sullivan, Colin Thompson

LT: Ikem Ekwonu, Cameron Erving, Brady Christensen, Aaron Monteiro

LG: Pat Elflein, Michael Jordan, Dennis Daley

C: Bradley Bozeman, Pat Elflein, Sam Tecklenburg

RG: Austin Corbett, Deonte Brown, Mike Horton

RT: Taylor Moton, Austen Pleasants

In a draft that's deep on offensive linemen, Ekwonu is arguably the best in the class regardless of position. He's listed at 6'4" and 310 pounds with high-end athleticism to play tackle in the NFL.

B/R's NFL scouting department has Ekwonu ranked as the No. 2 offensive tackle, behind Alabama's Evan Neal, and No. 3 overall player in this class.

In his official scouting report, B/R's Brandon Thorn compared Ekwonu to two-time All-Pro Jason Peters:

"Ekwonu will need to learn to harness his aggressive nature and play with better precision before reaching his full potential at tackle, but he has A+ physical traits and the white-hot motor to appeal to scouts and coaches at multiple positions. He has the versatility to be a longtime impact starter at either tackle or guard in any scheme."

Ekwonu is the second NC State offensive lineman to be drafted in the first round in the past three years. The Minnesota Vikings selected Garrett Bradbury with the 18th overall pick in 2019.

Rashawn Slater and Penei Sewell set a high bar for rookie left tackles in the NFL after their performances in 2021. Ekwonu will look to follow the example they set while also being a stabilizing force for Sam Darnold to help the Panthers' offense take a step forward in 2022.

Virtually everything about Carolina's roster is a mess right now, with no easy solutions to fix it. 

The best approach for general manager Scott Fitterer to take is the one he appears to be going with in the draft. Selecting Ekwonu suggests the Panthers want to build their foundation before investing heavily in other areas. 

Pro Football Focus' Sam Monson ranked Carolina's offensive line the second-worst unit in the league last season, ahead of only the Miami Dolphins. 

Fitterer did sign right guard Austin Corbett away from the Los Angeles Rams in free agency. He is a solid starter who brings a level of competency to a unit that needs it. 

Carolina will eventually figure things out at quarterback, but the best approach for the team at this moment was to address the offensive line.

Ekwonu can slot in as the starting left tackle for the Panthers in 2022. He gives them rare upside at one of the most important positions on the field.

Quarterback buzz is heating up ahead of the 2022 NFL draft.

Peter Schrager reported on the NFL Network the Carolina Panthers selecting Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral with the No. 6 overall pick is a "real possibility." The Panthers have also been heavily linked to Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett.

Liberty's Malik Willis has emerged as the favorite to be the first quarterback off the board, with the Detroit Lions being in play at No. 2 overall.

For much of the draft process, it appeared the top quarterbacks would be available outside the top 10 for the first time since 2013. Willis and Pickett have been the most sought-after options for most of the process, but neither is considered a can't-miss prospect.

There are concerns about Willis' lack of upper-level competition at the collegiate level and relatively raw skill set, while Pickett may have tapped out his potential as a four-year starter at Pitt.

Corral, meanwhile, has seemingly risen through the ranks to unseat Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder and North Carolina's Sam Howell as the consensus No. 3 in this class. NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms, a former NFL quarterback, has gone as far as to rank Corral as his top quarterback.

"He has three things that he does at an elite level," Simms said on the Dan Patrick Show. “The NFL's going to look at and go, 'That's special.' First off, his arm is extremely strong. I mean it’s like crazy strong where you go, 'Did he really throw that ball, 25 yards out route and it was like 5 feet off the ground the whole way there?'

"Then as an athlete, quickness in his feet is as good as anybody I've ever seen. His ability to pop around the pocket, get his feet situated and make a throw is phenomenal."

The Panthers are among the teams expected to look long and hard at improving at quarterback in Round 1. Carolina took a risk last offseason by acquiring Sam Darnold, who hasn't proved himself a franchise QB, and was in the Deshaun Watson hunt before he was traded to the Cleveland Browns this offseason.

With coach Matt Rhule's job on the line heading into 2022, the pick at No. 6 may wind up being the difference between saving his position and the unemployment line a year from now. 

Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral will rack up the frequent flyer miles next week as he's reportedly scheduled to visit with five teams ahead of the 2022 NFL draft.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday that Corral is slated for meetings with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers.

In a year without a consensus No. 1 quarterback prospect, interviews could play an important role in determining the order the top QBs come off the board when the draft gets underway April 28 in Las Vegas.

Corral is in a competition with Liberty's Malik Willis, Pitt's Kenny Pickett and Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder to become the first QB selected.

The 23-year-old California native spent four years with the Rebels, including the past two seasons as the team's starting quarterback. He completed 67.3 percent of his throws for 8,287 yards with 57 touchdowns and 23 interceptions in 37 games. He also rushed for 1,357 yards and 18 scores.

While his natural playmaking ability was evident at Ole Miss, there are questions about how he'll handle more complex NFL defensive schemes.

Bleacher Report's Nate Tice described Corral as a "single-read QB at this point in time" in his predraft scouting report.

"Played in an offensive system that heavily featured run-pass options and easier progressions," Tice wrote. "His ability to progress on true dropback concepts will be a question mark until proven otherwise."

That said, in a class where every quarterback has question marks, a coaching staff may see Corral's upside and take a chance on the 2021 All-SEC second team selection under the belief it can help him develop that aspect of his game.

None of his visits next week qualify as a surprise. All five of the teams mentioned have been heavily linked to the quarterback market, including the Eagles despite having Jalen Hurts on their roster.

The Panthers (No. 6 pick) and Falcons (No. 8) have the highest selections from the group, so a strong performance in those meetings could push Corral into the top-10 conversation.

Even if that doesn't come to fruition, the signal-caller should land somewhere in the opening round. He may be destined for a development year behind the likes of Jameis Winston with the Saints or Mitchell Trubisky with the Steelers, though.

That type of outcome could actually improve Corral's long-term outlook, since he won't be under pressure to perform right away.

Sam Darnold is taking a very pragmatic approach amid rumors the Carolina Panthers have been trying to find a new quarterback this offseason. 

Appearing on the Bussin' with the Boys podcast (h/t ESPN's David Newton), Darnold said he's not concerned about his future because there would be another team that "would want me" if the Panthers go in a different direction. 

"It's truly whatever happens happens, because at the end of the day, it's out of my control, and I know that," he added. "I have enough security in myself where I can say, 'I know I'm a good quarterback. I know I can be a good quarterback in this league. I've proved it.'"

Dating back to last offseason, Carolina's approach to finding a long-term answer at quarterback has been puzzling. 

The Panthers seemed to bank on the theory that getting away from Adam Gase can make a player better when they acquired Darnold in April 2021. They sent the New York Jets three draft picks, including a 2022 second-rounder, in the deal and picked up Darnold's $18.9 million option for 2022. 

Darnold did not reward Carolina's faith in him. He threw for 2,527 yards, nine touchdowns, 13 interceptions and completed 59.9 percent of his passes in 12 games last season. 

The Athletic's Joe Person reported during the 2021 season that the Panthers were expected to be involved in Deshaun Watson trade talks leading up to the trade deadline. 

The Houston Texans wound up holding on to Watson for the entire season. Carolina was again back in the Watson market this offseason, as one of four teams he was considering waiving his no-trade clause for. 

Watson wound up being traded to the Cleveland Browns on March 20. 

The Panthers have also been mentioned as a potential landing spot for one of the top quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL draft. The MMQB's Albert Breer reported they will be hosting Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, Matt Corral, Desmond Ridder, Sam Howell and Bailey Zappe next week. 

The Panthers only have one pick in the first three rounds (No. 6 overall) thanks to their trades for Darnold and cornerback C.J. Henderson. Their second pick doesn't come until the fourth round (No. 137 overall). 

Darnold is still young enough—he turns 25 on June 5—that he would probably be able to find a new team if the Panthers decide to move on. It's unlikely he would be given a starting job based on his performance over the past four seasons, though.     

The Carolina Panthers are planning to perform their due diligence when it comes to the top quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL draft class.

The MMQB's Albert Breer reported Tuesday the Panthers are planning to invite a group of signal-callers to Charlotte, North Carolina, next week:

Source: The Panthers are having QBs Malik Willis (Liberty), Kenny Pickett (Pitt), Matt Corral (Ole Miss), Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati), Sam Howell (UNC), and Bailey Zappe (Western Kentucky) in to Charlotte next week for 30 visits.

Visits will be staggered from Monday-Wednesday.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 5, 2022

Carolina will be on the board at No. 6 overall for its only pick in the first three rounds.

Taking a quarterback figures to be among the options in play because Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker are the only signal-callers on the roster. Trading for Darnold was a flop in 2021, as the 24-year-old threw for 2,527 yards, nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 12 appearances.

The question for the Panthers is whether targeting a quarterback at No. 6 will be the best course of action.

There isn't a standout QB prospect in this year's class, nor is there much strength in depth. Coming out of the NFL Scouting Combine, Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder (No. 16) and Liberty's Malik Willis (No. 47) were the only quarterbacks ranked in the top 50 overall on Bleacher Report's big board.

However, the importance of the position is bound to trump what value a team could find in the early stages of the first round. In B/R's most recent mock draft, Willis landed with the Detroit Lions at No. 2 overall.

The Panthers were projected to take North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu.

As much as an upgrade for Darnold is needed, Carolina allowed 52 sacks and ranked 27th in adjusted sack rate, per Football Outsiders. Without improvements to the offensive line, it might not matter much who's lining up under center.

The New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers might be leading the field in the race to acquire Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on March 17 the Indianapolis Colts were among the teams on which Mayfield would want to land. However, the Colts have set their sights on Atlanta Falcons star Matt Ryan, per Rapoport:

From NFL Now: The #Colts have emerged as the likely landing spot for #Falcons QB Matt Ryan, and the two sides are in talks. If Ryan is traded, it’ll almost certainly be Indy. But nothing is done as of now. pic.twitter.com/TJqqG25Z2x

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 21, 2022

The Browns' acquisition of Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans has all but sealed Mayfield's exit from Cleveland. Purely out of necessity, New Orleans and Carolina both make sense as landing spots. 

For the Saints, it's abundantly clear by now that Taysom Hill isn't a viable starting solution at quarterback. In addition, Ian Book was a disaster in his only start as a rookie, going 12-of-20 for 135 yards and two interceptions while getting sacked eight times.

The Sam Darnold experiment hasn't worked out for the Panthers. Following an encouraging start—he threw for 1,189 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in the first four weeks—the 24-year-old looked like the same quarterback he was with the New York Jets.

With Mayfield, the hope is that simply getting healthy will work wonders for him in 2022. He battled a lingering shoulder injury throughout the 2021 season, which adversely impacted his performance.

The 2018 No. 1 overall pick finished with 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2020, which aren't eye-popping numbers but were good enough to help get the Browns to the playoffs.

The risk with Mayfield is that Cleveland's pursuit of Watson could speak to how deep-seated the Browns' concerns were with their supposed franchise quarterback. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported the team wanted to get "an adult" at QB, a comment that indicated the issues went beyond Mayfield's performance.

Mayfield is only under contract for one more season before he's eligible for free agency. The quarterback market has quickly dried up, and the incoming class of rookies isn't too promising.

For the teams that still need to address the position, a short-term bet on the 26-year-old would be worth it despite all of the question marks.

Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Wednesday that the team is open to re-signing quarterback Cam Newton.

"We're still open to Cam," Fitterer said. "But again, we want to have that conversation with him directly."

Darin Gantt of the team website provided more context from Fitterer's presser.

Fitterer said bringing back Newton remains a possibility at some level, but they didn't want to say too much before sitting down face-to-face with the former No. 1 overall pick, which is what they said they'd do when they met with him in November at owner David Tepper's home. That next meeting will happen before the start of free agency on March 16.

Earlier Wednesday, Fitterer told reporters that the team's 2022 quarterback job is "open." Carolina currently has Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker under contract for next season.

The No. 1 overall pick from the 2011 draft starred for the Panthers for nine seasons, winning the NFL MVP award in 2015 en route to leading Carolina to a 15-1 record and the NFC title. The three-time Pro Bowler also won Rookie of the Year honors in 2011.

The 2010 Heisman Trophy winner's first stint in Carolina ended after the 2019 season, which saw Newton play just two games because of a foot injury.

The Panthers started over with a new regime led by Fitterer and head coach Matt Rhule in 2020, and with it came a change at quarterback to Teddy Bridgewater. During that season, Newton started for the New England Patriots.

Carolina then decided to move in another direction in 2021 after trading for Sam Darnold. Newton started the season as a free agent but rejoined Carolina after Darnold suffered a fractured scapula.

He completed 54.8 percent of his passes for four touchdowns (five interceptions) and 5.4 yards per attempt in eight games (five starts). Newton also rushed for 230 yards and five scores.

The Panthers could bring Newton back into the mix and look to the draft or free agency to find another signal-caller to compete for the starting gig. They currently own the No. 6 overall selection in this year's draft.