Which 2021 NFL Draft prospects should be there for the Carolina Panthers at No. 8 overall?
The Carolina Panthers now know their 2021 NFL Draft fate following their disappointing loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 17. It was a drab end to what has been a rollercoaster first campaign at the helm for head coach Matt Rhule, who has plenty of work to do this offseason in order for his roster to enter the postseason discussion next year.
Drafting well is going to be a key component to this. The Carolina Panthers could lose plenty of seasoned veterans once again and bringing in the right sort of quality from the college scene to replace them is vital to their progress.
Carolina will be picking at No. 8 overall later this spring, which is one spot ahead of where they selected defensive tackle Derrick Brown in 2020. There should be a number of exciting prospects available at this point, although the talented quarterback trio of Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Zach Wilson will be long gone.
Let’s take a look at five players who are realistic targets for the Panthers in the first round.
Player No. 1
Christian Darrisaw – OT (Virginia Tech)
Russell Okung and his $13 million in base salary is coming off the books and the likelihood of him returning to Carolina is slim. The veteran left tackle has been unreliable due to injury and although he was still playing well, a longer-term solution to the Panthers’ blindside protection is needed.
Christian Darrisaw’s level of progression for Virginia Tech has been eye-catching and has seen the player’s draft stock surge as a result. He possesses an NFL-ready body that could slot in and start right away, with the potential of even more to come once he gets to the pros another enticing element to this pick that shouldn’t be overlooked.
If the Panthers aren’t able – or convinced – their starting signal-caller of the future is in this draft, then the best thing they could do is draft a franchise left tackle to give Teddy Bridgewater a better chance of succeeding.
Trey Lance – QB (North Dakota State)
As stated previously, the best three quarterbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft will be gone when it’s time for the Carolina Panthers to make their first-round selection. Trading up is an avenue they can explore. But giving up multiple picks when there are plenty of other needs just doesn’t seem like the smartest move at this stage of their development.
However, there is a potential wildcard who is sure to be there for the taking.
Trey Lance could end up being the most polarizing figure in this class. The quarterback has been a phenom at North Dakota State and although he hasn’t seen much in the way of action in 2020 due to COVID-19, there is a lot to like about his chances of being a game-changer at the next level.
Lance completed 69 percent of his passes in 2019 on his way to 2,786 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a phenomenal passer rating of 180.6. This has come with a number of memorable highlights that will undoubtedly catch the eye of NFL scouts. But there are some serious red flags where the player is concerned.
The first and most obvious is the lack of notable competition. Lance is coming from a small school and there is a danger he just might be a big fish in a small pond who might find a professional environment daunting.
Then there is Lance’s lack of activity this season. Although he’s kept himself sharp, his only outing of the campaign didn’t exactly pull up any trees and this lack of activity is something that won’t be ignored.
It’s pretty clear that Teddy Bridgewater isn’t the long-term answer. The free-agent signing just hasn’t lived up to his billing so far and now is the time for the Panthers to formulate a contingency plan.
Patrick Surtain – CB (Alabama)
Donte Jackson has certainly looked the part since recovering fully from a toe injury that significantly hampered him up until the bye week. But there remain some questions about others on the depth chart.
Rasul Douglas and Corn Elder are free agents and it remains to be seen whether the Carolina Panthers bring either of them back. Rookie pair Troy Pride Jr. and Stantley Thomas-Oliver need some additional development before they are ready to see starting action if their early exploits are any indication.
This is a position that needs to be addressed either in free agency of the 2021 NFL Draft. Patrick Surtain could be arguably the best cornerback prospect coming out of college this year and he is worth a strong look if he falls to the Panthers.
Surtain has the scope to be a shutdown corner at the next level. He’s is a fluid mover that possesses exceptional instincts that should make a smooth transition to the pros.
Putting Surtain and Jackson on the opposite side of the field would allow Carolina’s defensive coordinator Phil Snow to move away from the frustrating zone-scheme that has been the catalyst behind their demise on more than one occasion this season.
Kyle Pitts – TE (Florida)
Another area where the Carolina Panthers need additional reinforcements this offseason is the tight end spot. Ian Thomas just hasn’t made the most out of a significant opportunity to become the long-term replacement for prolific veteran Greg Olsen, who left the organization in free agency to sign for the Seattle Seahawks.
Chris Manhertz and Colin Thompson are not the answer, either. So getting another weapon in the passing game is going to be key, especially if they lose wide receiver Curtis Samuel in free agency.
Kyle Pitts is as good as it gets. He is arguably the best tight end prospect to enter the NFL in quite some time and he represents an extremely matchup problem for any defensive player tasked with covering him.
Pitts ended his time at Florida on a high, gaining 770 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns from 43 receptions in just eight games. This included a lofty 17.9 yards-per-reception and he demonstrated the sort of athleticism and big-play ability that is going to be highly sought after.
The prospect’s stock will only rise once he shows off his supreme athletic traits during the evaluation process and Pitts would be a tremendous addition for the Panthers in no uncertain terms.
Devonta Smith – WR (Alabama)
The Carolina Panthers are facing a real predicament where Curtis Samuel is concerned. He is out of contract in the coming months and although they’d love to keep him around, the financial implications might be too steep considering the amount of interest the wide receiver is expected to generate on the free-agent market.
This might not be a top need for the Panthers, especially with bigger holes elsewhere. But Samuel is going to take a great deal of replacing if he decides to take his chances elsewhere after his exceptional production in 2020.
One way they could solve this problem is by drafting Devonta Smith. The Alabama sensation lit up their college football playoff semi-final against Notre Dame with the sort of exciting plays that are sure to see him taken in the top-10 by an NFL team.
Smith is the latest in a long line of wideouts from the Crimson Tide who could light up the professional ranks. In just 12 games this season, he’s amassed 105 receptions, 1,641 receiving yards, 20 touchdowns, and a yards-per-catch average of 15.6.
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He has gone over 1,000 yards receiving in two straight years and if Carolina becomes truly enamored with Smith during their assessment process, then it might just come with a bombshell pick that is way out of the left field.