Panthers: 3 options in first round of 2021 NFL Draft following Sam Darnold trade

3. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

Carolina’s trade for Darnold should not take them completely out of the quarterback conversation at the top of the draft. The draft capital they gave up does not commit them to Darnold long term and at most they will pay him $23.6 million over the next two years if they pick up the fifth-year option in his contract, per Spotrac.

That is average quarterback money for one season, meaning the Panthers could theoretically see what they have in Darnold, and attempt to turn him into a trade asset, while also developing a rookie who could become their long-term starter.

Given his limited experience in college, Lance would be a strong fit to come and initially serve as a backup while he transitions to the highest level.

Teddy Bridgewater would not be an exciting alternative were Darnold to struggle and compel the Panthers to bench him. However, Lance, with his remarkable arm strength and dynamism as a runner in the open field would give Carolina a high-upside alternative in the event the former Jet does not show signs of turning his career around.

There will be growing pains with Lance, who still needs to improve his processing and the consistency of his deep accuracy, but in Brady, the Panthers have an offensive coordinator who can coach around those issues if Lance is pressed into action and help him quickly blossom into a fearsome pro quarterback.