Panthers 2021 Draft: Post-Senior Bowl 7-round mock draft
By Dean Jones
Kellen Mond – QB (Texas A&M)
It was hard to gauge just what Matt Rhule thought of the quarterbacks he worked with at the 2021 Senior Bowl. But one player that really caught the eye during the game was undoubtedly Kellen Moore.
The Texas A&M signal-caller might be a work in progress. But with a little fine-tuning in the pro ranks, there is nothing to suggest he cannot be a starting quarterback in the coming years.
Perhaps the Carolina Panthers are looking for someone at the position who can make an instant difference. However, if they strike out and are forced to go with Teddy Bridgewater in 2021, it would allow Moore to develop at his own pace before possibly taking over.
Cornell Powell – WR (Clemson)
The Panthers could be set to lose Curtis Samuel in free agency, which would be a major blow given the wide receiver’s contribution in 2020 that has almost priced out Carolina from keeping him around. Getting a late-round prospect who can occupy the slot is a wise call to make and Cornell Powell’s exceptional final year at Clemson puts him on the shortlist.
After being a relative afterthought in the Tigers’ passing attack prior to the season, Powell burst onto the scene with 53 receptions, 883 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. His ability to make big plays generated the trust of Trevor Lawrence quickly, which was also down to an eye-catching trait to get open efficiently off the line of scrimmage.
Chris Rumph II – DE/OLB (Duke)
Another body to boost the pass-rush wouldn’t hurt Carolina’s chances in 2021 and beyond. Chris Rumph II’s versatility to play almost anywhere on the front seven won’t have gone unnoticed by the Panthers, who looked for this in almost every recruit last time around.
While Rumph is never going to blow you away with formidable size, his work ethic and technique make him an intriguing late-round flier that could develop even further with a little more mass on his body.