7 prospects for Panthers with a top-5 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Patrick Surtain II – CB (Alabama)
Another area where the Carolina Panthers will probably need to strengthen during the offseason is at cornerback. Donte Jackson will get another chance after a campaign of frustration due to a lingering toe injury, which he probably deserves given his encouraging performances at 100 percent.
Rasul Douglas and Corn Elder are out of contract and it remains to be seen whether they’ll be brought back, with rookie duo Troy Pride Jr. and Stantley Thomas-Oliver taking their time to settle into life at the next level.
One player that could come in and make an immediate impression is Patrick Surtain II. The Alabama stud thrives in man coverage – and area in which the Panthers have struggled this season without Jackson – and he possesses the sort of instincts that should ensure his transition to the NFL is a smooth one.
Providing Surtain can become more physical at the next level and fine-tune his tackling, someone is going to have a real player on their hands. Carolina could do with a presence on the outside they could just leave on an island and the Alabama prospect definitely fits the bill.
A quartet of Surtain, Jackson, Pride Jr., and Thomas-Oliver could be an exciting one to watch develop together in this particular scenario.