5 quarterbacks the Panthers could land in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Could the Carolina Panthers select a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft?
Things are getting a little uncomfortable for Teddy Bridgewater and the Carolina Panthers. The former first-round pick has shown no real progress throughout the season and his latest poor outing against the Denver Broncos in Week 14 has only raised concerns further regarding his ability to lead the organization to where they want to be moving forward.
It did look at one stage as if the Carolina Panthers might not need to find their signal-caller of the future in the 2021 NFL Draft. But if things don’t improve from Bridgewater’s perspective down the stretch then it might force their hand despite obvious needs elsewhere.
This would be a little harsh on Bridgewater considering all he’s been through to get another starting job. However, there is little room for compassion when it comes to personnel decisions in the NFL and this might be another big decision for Carolina to make during a critical offseason period in 2021.
Here are five prospects not named Trevor Lawrence that might be in play for the Panthers if they go in this direction early on during the 2021 NFL Draft.
Quarterback No. 1
Justin Fields – Ohio State
It appears unlikely that the Panthers are going to be in a position to select Lawrence, who looks bound for the New York Jets after a disastrous campaign that could eventually end with an 0-16 record.
Justin Fields would be a nice consolation prize. The Ohio State sensation is a rare talent who seems to thrive on the big occasion. But whether he will last beyond pick No. 2 remains to be seen.
If the Panthers identify Fields as a player of interest, they’ll need to put together a king’s ransom in a trade-up package. This is probably a pipe dream, but if the opportunity to take the signal-caller presents itself, it’s unlikely that Carolina would pass it up at this juncture.