Cat Scratch Reader
In this series, I’ll throw out one random possibility for the NFL Draft and you’ll decide whether or not you prefer that alternate reality
This is a continuation of our previous “What If...” Wednesday series leading up to the NFL Draft. This activity is based on the Disney+ series Marvel’s “What If...” where one tiny change to the timeline results in a vastly different alternate universe. Killmonger befriends Tony Stark, T’Challa becomes Star Lord, weird stuff like that. In these articles, I’ll give you an NFL Draft scenario, and you all will decide if this is an alternate reality you would want to live in.
Our final pre-Draft scenario involves injuries leading to some broken promise.
For this week’s scenario, the dearth of defensive talent leads to a run on defensive backs in the late first and early second round. The Philadelphia Eagles, who were able to grab an edge rusher with their first round pick, are now desperate to improve their aging secondary. Though their corners are solid, they are old and were abused in the playoffs last season. The Eagles want to keep their Super Bowl window open as long as possible, so they decide to take a chance on a talented but oft-injured corner. But this one isn’t in the 2024 Draft. He’s on the Carolina Panthers. Instead of spending one of their second round picks on a rookie corner, they decide to send picks 50 and 120 to the Panthers in exchange for Horn.
After spending picks 33 and 39 on Xavier Legette (it’s happening, just deal with it) and Mike Sainristil, respectively, the Panthers are able to land Zach Frazier with that third second round pick. Though Jaycee Horn has amazing ability, he lacks the most important ability: availability. The Panthers get a receiver, a younger and cheaper corner, their center for the future, and an extra fourth round pick by making this trade, and they avoid having to make the decision on Horn’s fifth year option.
