Panthers trade for Sam Darnold in 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft
By Dean Jones
A major trade for New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold is the standout feature for the Carolina Panthers in our latest seven-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
The Carolina Panthers have some big decisions to make this offseason. They are facing a huge dilemma at the quarterback spot after an indifferent 2020 campaign from Teddy Bridgewater and it seems as if the organization is already moving on from the former first-round pick after just one year under center.
This might be a little harsh on Bridgewater, who was on a hiding to nothing from the start after the Panthers unceremoniously released Cam Newton to make way for the free-agent signing. He was never going to win everybody over no matter how productive his performances were, but the signal-caller will be the first to admit that his play should perhaps have been of a higher standard.
If the Panthers sit on their hands in the hope Bridgewater can get better in 2021, it might end up costing them. They are being quite aggressive in their search for a new player at the position if multiple reports are to be believed and if all else fails, the decision-makers also have the option of bringing in a talented young prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft.
There is one glaring problem with this, which arguably stems from their Week 16 win at the Washington Football Team that would have come with the No. 3 overall selection had the result gone against them.
They are now set to miss out on the top-three players at the position, which is probably why Carolina is exploring every possible trade avenue before free agency formally gets underway.
Winning was more important to Matt Rhule.
But the cost of their fifth victory of the campaign is there for all to see.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at which way the Panthers might go with their selections in our latest seven-round mock draft, which includes trading for a veteran quarterback.