5 local program draft prospects the Panthers could select in 2021

Which draft prospects from local colleges could the Carolina Panthers have their eye on?

The Carolina Panthers will have plenty of decisions to make in this year’s 2021 NFL Draft cycle. The team may be using their No. 8 overall selection as trade fodder for a veteran quarterback. But there are still plenty of options for the organization, no matter which route they eventually decide to go down.

New general manager Scott Fitterer and Matt Rhule have their work cut out for them scouting talent throughout the country, but there are some interesting prospects hailing from programs in North and South Carolina.

Schools like Clemson and North Carolina boast a few intriguing skill position players that could be selected in the first three rounds. But there are gems to be found all over the Carolinas that the Panthers might be able to take advantage of.

Early indications show Rhule nailed his 2020 draft picks, which contributed to increased optimism in the potential on the defensive side of the ball. But with the addition of Fitterer, the success of this year’s incoming college recruits is paramount to making sure the Panthers contend in the talented NFC South.

Taking players from the Carolinas has worked out for the Panthers before.

Julius Peppers, Tre Boston, Josh Norman, and Captain Munnerlyn were all successful players from Carolina-area schools. There are no guarantees that this year’s group of locals will pan out, but here are five interesting prospects who could end up in a Panthers uniform this spring.