What could happen before the Carolina Panthers pick at No. 8?

Penei Sewell – OT (Oregon)

• Team – New York Jets

It’s still unclear as to just what the Jets are going to do with Sam Darnold. The quarterback came in for praise from new head coach Robert Saleh, but the temptation to use this pick in a package for Houston Texans signal-caller Deshaun Watson is there for all to see.

Should Darnold become available, then he is someone who might become a trade target for the Carolina Panthers if the price is right. However, in this case, they decide to take the best tackle prospect entering the league in a generation.

Penei Sewell is a ruthless edge protector who has everything going for him. There aren’t many sure things when it comes to drafting college players, but he is unquestionably one of them. Pairing him with Mekhi Becton would give the Jets an elite tackle pairing the Jets could build from and would benefit whoever is under center considerably.

DeVonta Smith – WR (Miami)

• Team – Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins might also be in pursuit of Deshaun Watson despite drafting Tua Tagvailoa last year. This would be a drastic move given the player’s age and potential for growth, so they’d have to be sure before pulling the trigger.

There is also the prospect of getting the signal-caller more in the way of weapons around him, and who better than a former Alabama teammate of Tagovailoa’s. DeVonta Smith was an absolute revelation for the Crimson Tide on his way to a National Championship and Heisman Trophy in 2020, with the wideout demonstrating the sort of supreme playmaking ability that is sure to go down well at the next level.

Zach Wilson – QB (BYU)

• Team – Atlanta Falcons

The Matt Ryan era in Atlanta is shortly coming to an end and the Falcons are in a good spot to take their quarterback of the future in the 2021 NFL Draft. This will be a choice between Zach Wilson or Justin Fields, with a preference for the former after a stunning 2020 season that saw the prospect come from nowhere to become an extremely hot commodity.

Wilson has a rare ability to make plays out of nothing. His arm strength is top-notch and matched by exceptional pocket awareness to recognize pressure. Whether the Falcons keep Ryan on the roster or not in 2021 is irrelevant in taking the BYU standout, who would get to learn from a player that’s done it all during his transition to the pro ranks.