2021 NFL Draft: Panthers take 3 Alabama stars and Texas QB in latest mock
By Dean Jones
Scouting Report. 189. player. TYREKESMITH. 812. Pick Analysis. EDGE. OHIO STATE
No. 189: Tyreke Smith – EDGE (Ohio State)
Getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks has been a real problem for the Carolina Panthers this season. Brian Burns is getting into the backfield consistently, but others don’t seem to be following his lead enough.
Tyreke Smith might be a little raw in terms of technique, but he has the right size and scope to be coached up and provide the Panthers with some nice pass-rushing depth behind Burns and Yetur Gross-Matos.
Pick Analysis. TREYSERMON. 216. player. 812. Scouting Report. RB. OHIO STATE
No. 216: Trey Sermon – RB (Ohio State)
If Christian McCaffrey‘s injury problems this season have taught us anything, it’s that the Panthers need a good backup who can slot in right away. Mike Davis might not be around once free agency begins, but they’ll need a long-term plan in place that can complement the All-Pro regardless.
Trey Sermon is an aggressive runner that is hard not to love. He averaged 7.1 yards-per-carry for the Buckeyes last season and the running back seems to love nothing more than gaining hard yards between the tackles.
QB. SAM EHLINGER. 230. Pick Analysis. 851. Scouting Report. TEXAS. player
No. 230: Sam Ehlinger – QB (Texas)
Sam Ehlinger has been inconsistent for the Longhorns this season, but he is well-worth a flyer with the Panthers final pick of the 2021 NFL Draft if available. The quarterback needs to improve in areas such as pocket awareness and accuracy to make a real go of things in the NFL and there would be no immediate pressure on him making an immediate impact on the field in Carolina.
Taking Ehloinger would give the Panthers an intriguing development prospect that could eventually fill a starting role. Learning from someone an approachable figure such as Teddy Bridgewater is another strong element to this scenario that shouldn’t be overlooked.