The Carolina Panthers 2021 NFL Draft plans could be impacted by COVID-19.
This is an immensely important time of year for teams like the Carolina Panthers. Although the playoffs are now in full swing, those on the outside looking in are busy preparing for the 2021 campaign with a view to changing their fortunes on the field.
The Carolina Panthers made a promising impression in year one of Matt Rhule’s rebuild, even though their 5-11 record states otherwise. A young and relatively inexperienced roster remained highly competitive against top opposition, with their record potentially looking far different had quarterback Teddy Bridgewater not been 0-8 on game-winning or tying drives during the season.
With plenty of uncertainty surrounding the salary-cap due to COVID-19 revenue losses, selecting the right sort of individuals via the NFL Draft is going to be more crucial than ever. Carolina’s recent crop of college recruits made an outstanding contribution during their rookie campaigns and something similar next time around would give the team’s hopes of becoming a postseason contender a real shot in the arm.
However, the evaluation process and one of its most notorious events might look far different this year.
According to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter, league officials will determine whether the 2021 Scouting Combine will take place and in what sort of format this week, with COVID-19 cases continuing to surge across the country.
"“If the combine is pushed back, it could impact the timing of when free agency would begin as well as the dates of the draft.”"
This has the potential to come with some significant ramifications across the league. The last thing Rhule will want is for even more disruption after a first-year full of it. But the circumstances might dictate things could get even worse before they get better.
Why is the NFL Scouting Combine so important?
The NFL Scouting Combine has been a pivotal part of evaluating college football hopefuls since the late 1980s. It is a fantastic chance to not only test players’ skills under the spotlight, but the event also gives teams a chance to sit down with certain prospects of interest and get a better feel of what sort of characters they are.
Draft positions can rise or fall as a result of a player’s performance under the watchful eye of NFL scouts. It’s the opportunity for some small school guys to step up and make their presence felt – which is what we saw from Jeremy Chinn last year before the Carolina Panthers moved up to take the Southern Illinois standout at No. 64 overall.
An inspired decision and the combine played a huge part in that.
This is an unprecedented period of disruption, both in NFL terms and in everyone’s day-to-day lives. Extreme sacrifices were made to ensure the successful completion of the league season and if additional measures are what it takes to see the offseason run smoothly, then so be it.
It’s not ideal.
But the bigger picture needs to be kept in mind at all times.
Nobody thought the 2021 preparation period would go off without a hitch. The upcoming decision from the NFL regarding the Scouting Combine could mean plans are altered sooner than expected.
How would a change impact the Carolina Panthers?
If the NFL Scouting Combine was put back, held in a different format, or even canceled this year, the Carolina Panthers and other teams across the league would be impacted. They’ll still be able to speak with prospects virtually, but they might be forced to trust the film each player has generated during their time in the college ranks.
Fortunately for the Panthers, head coach Matt Rhule is just one year removed from coaching at that level and will know most of the players coming out this year like the back of his hand. This knowledge proved invaluable for Carolina during the previous period of assessment and providing the new general manager comes in with an open mind, it could be a significant asset to call upon once again.
As Rhule stated in his exit interview, this is a pivotal offseason for the Panthers. The former Baylor man won’t get the same sort of pass he received for a losing record next time around and this makes recruitment both during free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft even more important.
This is a stumbling block that could also impact contract negotiations and bringing in free agents. But forming contingency plans for every eventuality is something every NFL team – including the Panthers – should already have made.
6 projections for the Carolina Panthers in 2021 free agency
The Carolina Panthers are gearing up for a critical free agency period in their pursuit of becoming a legitimate playoff contender in 2021.
Carolina has to get this offseason right in every aspect. An altered Scouting Combine is a potential problem. But there are ways around severe complications surrounding the matter.