The Facts: The Panthers are set to pick eighth in the 2021 NFL draft, and numerous mock draft projections are already slotting a quarterback in that spot. Star running back Christian McCaffrey, though, wants to make sure people don't sleep on the QB already on the roster, Bridgewater. "No, not at all, definitely not something that I pay attention to," McCaffrey said when asked about the mock drafts. "Whoever is on our roster that's who we're rolling with. Right now Teddy is our quarterback and I think Teddy can play and he's a hell of a quarterback, so for us that's really what we're rolling with right now."
Diehards Line:Right now. ... We hear that often. Especially when it comes to quarterbacks unlikely to be on their team for long. ... At least McCaffrey is realistic. "We don't make those decisions," he explained. "I'm not in charge of draft boards or free agency, or anything like that. For me it's focusing on one day at a time, doing the best I can to perform for my teammates and coaches." Meanwhile, Bridgewater played well enough in his first season in Carolina, but the Panthers clearly want more. So whether it's a blockbuster trade (for Deshaun Watson) or drafting a signal caller, viewing Bridgewater as the desired option seems like a reach.