What could happen before the Carolina Panthers pick at No. 8?
By Dean Jones
Options for the Carolina Panthers
- Justin Fields – QB (Ohio State)
- Patrick Surtain – CB (Alabama)
- Kyle Pitts – TE (Florida)
- Trey Lance – QB (North Dakota State)
- Christian Darrisaw – OT (Virginia Tech)
- Trade back
The calls for the Carolina Panthers to select Justin Fields in this scenario would be deafening. The Ohio State star falling into their laps is seen as the best possible situation for some, although teams would be falling over themselves to move into Detroit’s spot for the quarterback.
Much will depend on whether Carolina can trade for a veteran signal-caller before the draft weekend. They reportedly offered the No. 8 selection trying to acquire Matthew Stafford, which is a damning indictment on Teddy Bridgewater’s future with the franchise.
General manager Scott Fitterer has stated his desire to get some more picks of his own to aid with the rebuilding phase. There will be also an obvious temptation to take someone like Patrick Surtain, Kyle Pitts, or Christian Darrisaw here, with North Dakota State tackle Dillon Radunz a dark horse candidate after a sterling showing at the 2021 Senior Bowl.
There are going to be plenty of twists and turns regarding potential new recruits long before it’s time for the Panthers to take their first-round player of choice.
And there is a chance they might not have that selection at all.
The future of the franchise is resting on what comes next for Carolina. The roster has some exciting young pieces to build a potential contender and if Fitterer and head coach Matt Rhule nail their incomings in readiness for the 2021 campaign, it will stand them in good stead as the Panthers look to enter the postseason discussion once again.