We just found out the price to control the 2023 NFL draft.
On Friday, the Carolina Panthers shipped out wide receiver DJ Moore and four draft picks to the Chicago Bears in exchange for this year’s No. 1 overall selection. Here’s the full haul that’s headed to the Windy City:
- WR DJ Moore
- 2023 first-round pick (9th overall)
- 2023 second-round pick (61st overall)
- 2024 first-round pick
- 2025 second-round pick
Prior to the deal, the Panthers were reportedly attempting to restructure Moore’s contract to create more cap space. But with the Bears insisting on the star wideout’s inclusion in the trade—per Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer—there was, obviously, no restructuring to be done.
So, what’s left for the Panthers to pay? Well, they’ll have to take on $14.625 million of dead cap with the move.
As far as what’s been cleared, Moore’s departure has opened up $10.415 million of space.
The #Panthers will take on $14.625M of dead cap in sending D.J. Moore to the #Bears, freeing up $10.415 of space in 2023.
The #1 overall pick is projected to carry a $7.5M cap hit this coming season.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 10, 2023
As it stands now, the Panthers—also following restructures for offensive lineman Austin Corbett and Taylor Moton as well as safety Xavier Woods—are $22.7 million under the cap.
