It is never too early to look at incoming draft prospects for the Carolina Panthers, but which players are worth keeping an eye on for 2021?
The Carolina Panthers used their 2020 NFL Draft picks wisely. But the franchise is in a period of transition and any immediate success should not take them away from building once again with more impressive college recruits next year.
The Panthers draft team became the first in NFL history to use each pick on defensive players. That will almost definitely not be the case next time around. But it remains to be seen where and how Carolina needs to strengthen their roster in pursuit of long-term gains.
There were plenty of college prospects that caught the eye last season who are not yet eligible for the pros. Scouts will already have some earmarked and will be watching their progress heavily when competitive action gets back underway.
This will also be the process surrounding the Panthers draft, which is going to be the second under new head coach Matt Rhule. The former Baylor shot-caller has a relatively free hit in 2020 given the lack of expectations surrounding the franchise. But there is no doubt he is going to be judged with two drafts under his belt.
The Panthers may have more experienced veterans leave the franchise to free up additional funds next year. What they need to replace is going to go a long way to determine what areas the organization needs to prioritize.
Another element will be exactly how they get on in 2020. It is expected to be a season of struggle and where they land on the draft board could also alter their way of thinking.
Here are four prospects that the Panthers draft staff need to monitor next season.
Panthers Draft: Penei Sewell – OT (Oregon)
The Carolina Panthers draft process in 2021 might see them opt to take an elite offensive tackle with one of their first picks.
The franchise recently traded for veteran Russell Okung in exchange for Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner. But he is heading into the final season of his current deal and it remains to be seen whether or not his stay in Carolina will be a long-term outcome.
Penei Sewell has all the making of a franchise left tackle and had a sensational sophomore season at Oregon. He boasts exceptional footwork and plays nasty in the run game.
Sewell’s standard of play was so good he received a second place vote in the Heisman Trophy ballot. With another season of college experience under his belt, the prospect is going to be a plug-and-play starter in the NFL with a possible All-Pro ceiling.
It appears that only injury will prevent Sewell from being a top-five pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Whether the Panthers draft position could eventually pick up someone with the skill set of the lineman will depend on their fortunes next season.
If they do end up struggling, then Sewell could easily be the Panthers blindside blocker for the next decade. If he lives up to expectations.
Panthers Draft: Patrick Surtain II – CB (Alabama)
Another intriguing early option for the Carolina Panthers is sure to be Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II. He comes from a football family and showed flashes of brilliance in an otherwise disappointing season for the Crimson Tide last term.
Surtain is the son of former Miami Dolphins star cornerback Patrick Surtain Sr., so he is already well up to speed on what it takes to be a successful player at the next level. He was targeted often due to his inexperience in 2019. A move that the majority of opposing teams regretted.
In just his second season as a starter, Surtain secured two interceptions, eight pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and 32 solo tackles. If the prospect continues this upwards curve he will be a top-end pick in 2021 with shutdown cornerback potential.
The Panthers might need help in this particular area if Donte Jackson does not take his expected leap forward. The franchise also has high hopes for its fourth-round selection Troy Pride Jr.
If neither pans out in 2020, taking a cornerback early will be a top priority. Surtain will be high on their early shortlist and will be a player to keep an eye on when competitive action gets back underway.
Panthers Draft: Micah Parsons – LB (Penn State)
Penn State standout Micah Parsons is a five-star recruit that comes with a significant amount of athletic upside. He enjoyed a fine 2019 season with the Nittany Lions and is a projected first-round pick if the prospect reaches his ceiling during the next campaign.
Parsons came of age at Penn State in 2019 on his way to 109 tackles, 52 of which were solo efforts. He also secured five sacks, four forced fumbles, and five pass deflections to further highlight his growing influence on the program.
The player seems to be around the ball a tremendous amount. This is down in no small part to his explosiveness and ability to read the game well.
Parsons is a superb tackler who finishes off plays to a high standard. The Carolina Panthers draft did not see them take a linebacker and a long-term replacement from recently retired legend Luke Kuechly will need to be sought sooner rather than later.
Carolina did sign Tahir Whitehead to a one-year, $2.5 million deal in free agency. But it remains to be seen whether he can play well enough to make the inside linebacker position his own in the Panthers’ new 4-3 defensive base.
Adding someone with the immense upside Parsons possesses would only be a good thing for the Panthers. They could also get an inside track to the player from 2020 second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos.
Panthers Draft: LaBryan Ray – DT/DE (Alabama)
Another player the Carolina Panthers draft team will be keeping a close eye on in 2020 is Alabama’s LaBryan Ray. The defensive tackle played well alongside Quinnen Williams before he was drafted by the New York Jets and is expected to take another leap forward with more responsibility on his shoulders.
Although Ray’s 2019 campaign was cut short thanks to a serious foot injury. Any delay in training camp due to the coronavirus pandemic will only be a good thing for the player as he looks to get back to his form of 2018.
Ray is a versatile defensive lineman that can operate on the end or as an interior presence. This sort of versatility is something the Panthers made a concerted effort to take with their 2020 class of recruits. It would be a shock if they went away from this method next year.
The prospect recorded 39 combined tackles (19 solo), two pass deflections, and 2.5 sacks during his sophomore campaign. Much will depend on how Ray returns from such a serious injury. But there is definite first-round potential regarding the player.
The Panthers may opt to boost this area of the field more after taking Derrick Brown No. 7 overall in 2020. Kawann Short will make a return from injury this season but is he does not get back to elite form, releasing him next offseason would represent a cap saving of more than $9 million.
The Panthers used a sixth-rounder on Bravvion Roy. But Ray’s potential makes an intriguing proposition alongside Brown if he returns to full health.