Carolina PanthersNFL DraftNFL News

Can the Panthers justify the hype to return to the post-season in 2023?

Can the Panthers justify the hype to return to post-season in 2023?
Can the Panthers justify the hype to return to post-season in 2023?

The Carolina Panthers traded a number of draft picks to secure the first-overall selection in the 2023 Draft in an attempt to drag the franchise out of the doldrums. General manager Scott Fitterer has been aggressive to ensure that his side has the pick of the quarterbacks at the top of the 2023 Draft after enduring a procession of average starters since the departure of Cam Newton after the 2019 season.

With and Without Newton

The last time the Panthers had the top pick in the NFL Draft, they acquired Newton and enjoyed a great run of success for three seasons, reaching the Super Bowl in the 2015 campaign. The ultimate prize evaded Carolina in a narrow defeat to the Denver Broncos, but there was hope that the franchise was there to stay at the top of the NFC Conference.

However, Newton’s body began to break down which eventually resulted in his departure. The Panthers have now gone seven seasons without a playoff win and five without an appearance in the post-season. Fitterer has acted decisively to give new head coach Frank Reich the opportunity to mold his quarterback of the future to get the franchise back to relevance.

Usually, the team with the first-overall pick is considered a number of seasons away from competing in the playoffs. But, there is early optimism for the Panthers to make a charge back towards the post-season among the sportsbooks considering the changes in the NFC South ahead of the 2023 season. Tom Brady’s retirement has dropped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers down in the betting odds to win the NFC South title, pushing the New Orleans Saints towards the favorites, but the Panthers have strong odds to compete.

A Punter’s P.O.V

At PartySports you can find value at +250 to win the NFC South in the 2023 season. Finding the best value is crucial when searching for NFL bets, and using in-depth reviews websites can help pick out the strengths and weaknesses of betting products, including casino and sportsbook offerings. Finding value across the board can make all the difference in your bets, especially considering how volatile the markets can be in regard to the NFL. Before committing to a bet or signing up online, make sure to do your research much like the Panthers will be in their bid to find the right quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft.

If the Panthers choose the wrong quarterback, their odds will dramatically shift, so pay attention to what happens in the NFL Draft before making a wager on the franchise to turn around their fortunes in the 2023 campaign. It will not be a straightforward decision considering the consensus on the top quarterback available is mixed. In 2011, the Panthers had a relatively easy choice to make considering the performances of Newton at Auburn in his college career, winning the Heisman Trophy in his final year.

Bryce Young and CJ Stroud are among the top candidates for the first-overall pick, but each of them has their flaws and both are far from the polished product that Newton was in 2011. The Panthers have taken a huge gamble and their decision could determine the future of the franchise, which could either return them to the post-season in 2023 or extend their drought beyond a decade or more.

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button