Panthers roll with Teddy Bridgewater in full 7-round mock draft
By Dean Jones
Round No. 1 (Pick No. 8)
Penei Sewell – OT (Oregon)
As expected, the top-four quarterbacks were gone by No. 8 overall. But if the Carolina Panthers were in a position to select Penei Sewell, it wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize by any stretch of the imagination.
Oregon’s stud left tackle is arguably the best edge protector entering the next level in quite some time. Sewell has everything one looks for in a franchise player at the position and even though opting-out of the 2020 campaign due to COVID-19 health concerns seems to see him slipping down the draft, a sensational showing at his pro day on Friday did nothing to dispel the notion he’s a Day 1 starter with an All-Pro ceiling.
Sewell plays the game with ruthless aggression that is matched by exceptional technique. He has no trouble plowing the road on running downs and his supreme footwork allows him to block effortlessly in passing situations.
Simply put, this is the player Carolina has been looking for since Jordan Gross retired. Putting a prospect like Sewell on the edge opposite right tackle Taylor Moton would give the Panthers a bookend presence for Teddy Bridgewater that would be among the NFL’s best in no time at all.
If Joe Burrow gets his reunion wish with Ja’Marr Chase, then this is a definite possibility – one which Carolina shouldn’t hesitate to take advantage of.