5 Ohio State prospects the Panthers should consider drafting in 2021

Shaun Wade – CB

To say things didn’t go according to plan for Shaun Wade during his final season at Ohio State would be something of an understatement. The cornerback was projected as a first-round pick heading into the campaign but his noticeable regression has seen his stock plummet as a result.

However, it is a little too soon to be giving up on Wade just yet.

While he didn’t show enough to prove he can be a capable corner on the outside in a professional environment, there is a lot to like about the prospect possibly emerging as a slot specialist or even as a safety thanks to his solid awareness and quick burst.

This will ultimately be down to how teams like the Carolina Panthers perceive the prospect. Wade talked big ahead of important games last season without ever backing it up, which has led to even more speculation about just how well he can adjust against faster receivers who will punish every blown coverage.

The physical attributes are there where Wade is concerned. It’s getting the player to maximize his production that has proven tricky at the college level.

Matt Rhule will know plenty about Wade and should now have a better indication of just what he would bring to the Panthers having studied the film. It might be a work in progress, but one that represents some value in the mid-rounds.