4 positions the Carolina Panthers shouldn’t draft in round one
By Dean Jones
Linebacker
Unless Micah Parsons somehow makes it to the Carolina Panthers in the first round, then linebacker is not a position they should reach for in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Penn State phenom is a game-changing presence at the second level who comes into the league with the highest of ceilings, but the prospect of another team snapping him up before Matt Rhule’s men are on the clock is high.
Besides, the position might not be as high a priority as it once was.
Jermaine Carter‘s introduction into the starting lineup brought a substantial turnaround in their fortunes. There was some evident friction between the former fifth-round pick and Rhule that led to an extended period of inactivity, but given the poor performances of free-agent signing Tahir Whitehead, it left the coaching staff with no other alternative than to put in the Maryland product.
Carter has earned the right to make the No. 1 spot his own long-term and become Luke Kuechly’s replacement.
Matching the perennial All-Pro’s production is almost impossible. But the collective effort demonstrated by Carter, Shaq Thompson, and stud rookie Jeremy Chinn was encouraging down the stretch.
There are some intriguing prospects set to be available later on in the draft, which would certainly interest the Panthers. However, they are set to get Christian Miller and undrafted rookie Jordan Mack back into the fold this spring after both opted-out of the season due to COVID-19 health concerns.