BufBlue4ever60
01-28-2003, 04:11 PM
CHARLOTTE (AP) -- The Cincinnati Bengals have traded the top pick in the NFL draft to the Carolina Panthers for 3 draft picks and wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, according to several sources. Pending a physical by Muhammad, the deal will be announced later this week.
The Panthers got the opening pick in exchange for the ninth overall pick in the first round, their third-round pick, their second-round pick in 2004 and Muhammad.
After a franchise-worst 2-14 season, the Bengals, who have held the first pick several times in the last ten years, appeared to have interest in Southern California quarterback Carson Palmer, this year's Heisman Trophy winner. With the recent hiring of defensive-minded head coach Marvin Lewis, however, the team saw an opportunity to trade down and receive extra picks while choosing one of several collegiate standouts on the defensive side of the ball, including Penn State defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, Miami defensive tackle William Joseph and Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman.
It will be the second time where the first overall pick will be exchanged between Cincinnati and Carolina, when Penn State running back Ki-Jana Carter was selected by the Bengals in 1995.
"I'm excited about the opportunity to select the top quarterback from an excellent class," said Panthers head coach John Fox. "Our defense was solid this year, so we're looking to upgrade the offense this offseason, and it starts with the most important position on the field."
Starter Rodney Peete will be entering free agency, and former Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke has been a disappointment. The Panthers are expected to take Palmer or Marshall's Byron Leftwich with this pick.
The NFL draft will be held on April 26-27
The Panthers got the opening pick in exchange for the ninth overall pick in the first round, their third-round pick, their second-round pick in 2004 and Muhammad.
After a franchise-worst 2-14 season, the Bengals, who have held the first pick several times in the last ten years, appeared to have interest in Southern California quarterback Carson Palmer, this year's Heisman Trophy winner. With the recent hiring of defensive-minded head coach Marvin Lewis, however, the team saw an opportunity to trade down and receive extra picks while choosing one of several collegiate standouts on the defensive side of the ball, including Penn State defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, Miami defensive tackle William Joseph and Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman.
It will be the second time where the first overall pick will be exchanged between Cincinnati and Carolina, when Penn State running back Ki-Jana Carter was selected by the Bengals in 1995.
"I'm excited about the opportunity to select the top quarterback from an excellent class," said Panthers head coach John Fox. "Our defense was solid this year, so we're looking to upgrade the offense this offseason, and it starts with the most important position on the field."
Starter Rodney Peete will be entering free agency, and former Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke has been a disappointment. The Panthers are expected to take Palmer or Marshall's Byron Leftwich with this pick.
The NFL draft will be held on April 26-27