Panthers news: Carolina gets one compensatory pick in 2021 NFL Draft

The Carolina Panthers will have just one compensatory NFL Draft pick in 2021 following a flurry of activity in free agency.

It was an immensely busy free agent period for the Carolina Panthers. Plenty of fresh faces were brought into the franchise as new head coach Matt Rhule looks to improve their fortunes next season.

A number of seasoned veterans also left for pastures new. This might not be a bad thing going forward given the team’s desire to go younger during an expected period of transition over the next couple of seasons.

This has left the team with one compensatory pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, which comes in the seventh round after left guard Daryl Williams opted to join the Buffalo Bills on a one-year deal with a cap hit of $2.5 million.

They were due to receive a third-round selection after cornerback James Bradberry decided to sign a three-year, $43 million with the New York Giants. This was offset by the arrival of free-agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater from the New Orleans Saints.

Another that opted to join the Bills was outside linebacker Mario Addison. The Panthers were due to receive a fourth-round comp pick as a result of the move. But this was again expunged thanks to the eye-catching pickup of wide receiver Robby Anderson on a two-year, $20 million contract from the New York Jets.

Vernon Butler will be another notable absentee from the Panthers’ roster in 2020 after he became the third Carolina player to join the Bills. This was due to come with a sixth-round comp pick. But the arrival of defensive end Stephen Weatherly from the Minnesota Vikings took away the selection.

Veteran defensive tackle Gerald McCoy joined the Dallas Cowboys on a short-term deal. Any hopes of the Panthers’ gaining a sixth-rounder due to the switch were thwarted thanks to the acquisition of wideout Seth Roberts on a one-year deal worth $3.1 million in base salary.

The Panthers were also set to receive a sixth-round compensatory pick following guard Greg Van Roten departing the franchise in favor of a move to the New York Jets. This was offset by Carolina’s signing of safety Juston Burris.

Free-agent signings that did not come with any sort of comp pick were Pharoh Cooper and Zach Kerr. The Panthers won’t get compensation for Bruce Irvin after just one season on the roster.