If one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, then the Carolina Panthers must double as a waste management company.
With their trade for former Cleveland Browns star Baker Mayfield now officially official, the Panthers are currently rostering two quarterbacks who were selected in the top three spots of the same draft—Mayfield and Sam Darnold. The former, of course, was taken with the first overall pick in 2018 and the latter with the third overall, courtesy of the New York Jets.
And that sick game of recycling, oddly enough, has been played once before. In fact, it was played all the way up to the pinnacle of the sport.
The 1980 Oakland Raiders entered the season with Dan Pastorini—the third overall selection by the Houston Oilers in 1971. The Santa Clara University product, who was acquired in exchange for the legendary Ken Stabler, began the campaign under center before sustaining a season-ending injury.
Pastorini’s broken leg gave way to Jim Plunkett, the Heisman Trophy-winning passer who went two picks before Pastorini nine years prior. Plunkett, an addition from 1978, then proceeded to lead Oakland to a Super Bowl XV victory—even capturing MVP honors in the 27-10 triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles.
So, yeah, there’s hope, Carolina . . . kinda.
