The Carolina Panthers entered the 2019 NFL draft in a perilous quarterback situation. With Cam Newton’s throwing shoulder on the mend and no proven backup QB on the roster, Carolina needed to add more depth and talent to the backfield. They did just that by picking West Virginia’s Will Grier in the third round.

Not everyone agrees, but some people think Grier was one of the top quarterbacks to come out of college football the last couple of years. According to Pro Football Focus, he graded out as the third best college QB going back to the class of 2018. Only Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray earned higher passing and overall grades.

Mayfield and Murray both became No. 1 picks after graduating from Oklahoma’s impressive Air Raid offense. It’s too early to judge Murray’s game, but Mayfield certainly proved to be worthy of the hype and the first overall pick by Cleveland. PFF was on the mark about him and his transition to solid pro starter was seamless and quick.

We don’t know how well Grier will work out at this level yet. However, its worth noting that Grier also ran the Air Raid in college and the touch and timing he’s shown on deep passes indicates some tantalizing potential.

The Panthers have implemented some modern ideas under Norv Turner, but they definitely run a different kind of system than Grier is accustomed to. If he can navigate that transition well and develop fast, Carolina fans can breathe much easier about Newton’s arm.