Cat Scratch Reader
Even though the 2025 NFL season just started, it’s never too early to look ahead toward the 2026 NFL Draft. This weekly series will take a closer look at some of the prospects the Carolina Panthers could select in the 2026 iteration of the Draft. In this series, we’ll only be looking at prospects the Panthers could seriously consider. This week our profile will focus on Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore.
After sealing a Michigan high school state championship in his junior and senior seasons, Dante Moore became quite the popular recruit. After initially committing to Oregon, Moore flipped to UCLA to play for Chip Kelly. That was Kelly’s last season with the Bruins, in large part because Moore struggled mightily. After the season, Moore decided to enter the transfer portal. He showed a ton of humility, opting to head to Eugene, redshirt, and learn behind Dillon Gabriel. So far this season, Moore has much more closely resembled the promising five star prospect he was coming out of high school.
Moore has many of the physical tools the modern NFL quarterback needs. While he is not a tank, he does have good enough size with room to add some bulk to his 6’3”, 208 lbs frame. Moore also has a quick release while maintaining distance and velocity on his throws, allowing him to fit the ball into tight windows and show incredible touch on deep balls. He has also improved a ton in both his pocket presence and pre-snap reads.
Athleticism is one tool that many modern quarterbacks have. Unfortunately, Moore does not have that tool in his shed. His limited mobility forces him to stand in the pocket under pressure, where his decision making can become a little inconsistent. A full NFL strength and conditioning regimen could help Moore gain some explosiveness, but that remains to be seen.
Moore has been fantastic so far in 2025, getting scouts excited about his potential once again. He has a truly elite arm talent, which will likely have scouts salivating. The true unknown is whether or not Moore will actually declare for the2026 Draft. Since he is just a redshirt sophomore, he could elect to stay with the Ducks for at least one more season, continuing to hone his craft with one of the best offenses in the country.
The Panthers have been used to not using their quarterback on designed runs, but Bryce has been able to use his legs to make defenses pay. If the Panthers decide to move on in the offseason, Moore would be an intriguing fit in Carolina. The Panthers have deep threats on the outside, who pair perfectly with his deep ball prowess. The main concern would be shorter passes, but that could be mitigated with a strong running game.
What do you think, Panthers fans? If Dante Moore is available when the Panthers select in the 2026 NFL Draft, should they take him? Sound off in the comments!
