Whaley was a figurehead GM who was dismissed immediately after the draft. If you think a lame duck GM was allowed to make major decisions shaping the future of the franchise, then I urge you to think again. If you think Russ was making draft day decisions other than which ass to grab after his 3rd vodka cran, then I urge you to think a third time today (take time off for headaches).
By all accounts we selected players in that draft that were coveted by the Panthers. There is zero evidence that McD or Beane would have selected Mahomes.