Carolina Panthers: Jimmy Clausen or Andrew Luck, Who Will Be Cats' Future QB?

Jimmy Clausen got his first win with the Carolina Panthers against the Arizona Cardinals—improving his record in his first season to 1-7. Despite the Panthers win, they still have the lead in the race for the No. 1 pick in April's draft thanks to Cincinnati beating Cleveland.

If the Panthers lose out, and they should with road games against Pittsburgh and Atlanta to close out the season, there is a chance that they could take Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck if he chooses to declare. 

While it is far from certain if Luck will leave school or not, if he does there's no question that he will go No. 1 overall. What makes things interesting is that Carolina spent a second-round pick on Clausen a year ago, and despite his rocky season, the rookie has shown he has the physical tools to make it in the league.

The downside to Clausen is that he's struggled reading defenses in his first year and hasn't shown great poise in the pocket; instead of letting the play develop, the rookie too often scrambles outside of the pocket to throw it away.

With more experience under his belt and an offseason to improve, there's a good chance he could come back a whole new QB next year. That is, of course, if he is given the opportunity.

As mentioned before, Luck is destined to be drafted first overall and scouts love his game. He has an above average arm, good mobility and has shown great poise in his two seasons at Stanford.

There isn't an expert that would dispute his prospects of being a franchise QB at the next level. So why wouldn't the Panthers draft him if they had a chance?

Well, for one, Carolina has plenty of holes to fill outside the QB position. But other than that it's likely that the Panthers will jump at the chance to take Luck if they so happen to wind up with the first pick—and he decides to declare.

If Carolina happens to take Luck it wouldn't be an indictment on Clausen as a player or his future in the NFL, it would be all about Luck's potential to be the next great young QB.

Clausen has a chance to make his mark one day and that very well could be as a Panther. But if Luck leaves Stanford, Clausen's future as a starting QB won't be in Carolina.