Could Panthers make NFL Draft move to spoil Saints' QB plans?

NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noted that an earlier report indicating New Orleans Saints starting quarterback Derek Carr might miss part of the 2025 season due to a shoulder injury could “complicate” the team’s plans to select a quarterback — potentially Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders — with the ninth overall pick in this year’s draft.

The Carolina Panthers, New Orleans' division rival, entered the week holding the draft's eighth choice. On Tuesday, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan clarified that he's open for business.

"I think we're definitely open to trading back and acquiring more picks," Morgan said while speaking with reporters, NFL.com's Kevin Patra shared. "I think we're gonna be open for all possibilities. Let's put it that way."

While stories linked the Saints with Sanders before the Carr news broke, New Orleans may be among the teams that reportedly have Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart or Louisville's Tyler Shough ranked as the second-best quarterback in this year's draft class behind Miami's Cam Ward. Carolina can't stop the Tennessee Titans from making Ward the first pick. Nevertheless, Morgan could let a quarterback-needy team such as the Pittsburgh Steelers (overall pick No. 21) leapfrog the Saints in the draft order.

The Panthers don't need Sanders, Dart or Shough this spring, with Bryce Young cemented atop the team's depth chart through at least the start of the 2025 season. That said, Morgan will be eager to trade out of the eighth pick if the three prospects are on the board and the Saints are still at No. 9 on April 24. 

"I always look at it like it only takes one team to fall in love with a player," Morgan added. "A team could fall in love with a player and decide they want to trade up with us and go get their guy. … We'll be waiting if somebody wants to come up."

Then again, Morgan may be trying to get the Saints to give up multiple draft assets to move up for a quarterback, which some NFL community members feel isn't a first-round talent.