Panthers acquire top overall pick in NFL draft from Bears for multiple picks, DJ Moore

WSOCTV.com News Staff
·2 min read

The Panthers have traded up to acquire the No. 1 overall pick in the draft from the Chicago Bears in exchange for Carolina’s No. 9 and No. 61 overall picks in 2023, a first-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick in 2025 and star wide receiver D.J. Moore, two people familiar with the deal said Friday.

Chicago will land at No. 9.

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The Panthers have been seeking stability at quarterback since David Tepper bought the team in 2018.

They have tried several starters — including Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Teddy Bridgewater and even bringing back Cam Newton for a second stint. But none of those options has worked out and Carolina hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2017.

“You go get the guy that you want, you know,” general manager Scott Fitterer said at the combine about potentially trading up for a quarterback. “If you have a conviction on a guy, you go get him. It’s pretty simple that way. If you don’t know and you’re going to give all these resources to go up and get it, you’re hurting your team in the long run.

“You better be right. You better have conviction if you do move up. When you do that, you’re all in.”

Some of the top four passers in this year’s draft are:

  • Alabama’s Bryce Young

  • Ohio State’s CJ Stroud

  • Kentucky’s Will Levis

  • Florida’s Anthony Richardson.

Getting one of those picks would not have been possible at No. 9.

The deal won’t be official until the start of the league year on Wednesday.

VIDEO: Pulling the curtain back on Panthers WR DJ Moore

VIDEO: Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore hosts football camp for hundreds of local kids

The Associated Press contributed to this story.