Which way will the Carolina Panthers go with their 2021 NFL Draft selections if they decide to roll with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater next season?
The Carolina Panthers had some big plans to upgrade the quarterback position this offseason. They went all-in with a failed bid for Matthew Stafford before the Los Angeles Rams came in with a better offer and their interest in Deshaun Watson was there for all to see before civil suits threw a significant spanner in the works.
Carolina is now potentially left with looking at the 2021 NFL Draft for a potential recruit, although even this now looks unlikely considering how bold the San Francisco 49ers were in moving themselves up to No. 3 and jumping the line for a top prospect once Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson come off the board, as expected.
Not exactly the big splash team owner David Tepper had in mind. But giving Bridgewater a lengthy deal with plenty in the way of guaranteed money seemed bizarre last year and even more so at this juncture.
The Panthers will have to play the hand they’re dealt during the early stage of the draft. They need to react quickly to what transpires in front of them and who knows, maybe going up a couple of spots for a Trey Lance or Justin Fields is not out of the realm of possibility.
Using the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator, we took a look at how the Panthers might utilize their selections with a view to building around Bridgewater, not replacing him.
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.
Round No. 2 (Pick No. 39)
Asante Samuel Jr. – CB (Florida State)
Although the Carolina Panthers made some notable additions to their front seven in free agency, they still have a significant lack of depth behind Donte Jackson in the cornerback room. This is something that is fast becoming a top priority and it wouldn’t be a big shock to see those in power utilize one of their opening selections in the 2021 NFL Draft on a quality reinforcement.
Asante Samuel Jr. definitely fits the bill and would be hard to pass up if he dropped to No. 39. The Florida State sensation is the son of former All-Pro Asante Samuel Sr. and if he can accomplish half of what his father did during his time in the league, it represents a high-value selection in the second round.
Samuel has quality coverage skills and the sort of athleticism Carolina coveted heavily during the draft process last time out. His fluidity going down the field with receivers is eye-catching and he plays with an old head on young shoulders in terms of anticipation.
Providing Samuel’s transition to the next level is a smooth one, someone is going to have a real player on their hands. With Jackson on one side of the field and the Seminole on the other, it could make a substantial difference with stud rookie Jeremy Chinn expected to revert back to the safety spot after starring at outside linebacker.
Round No. 3 (Pick No. 73)
Brevin Jordan – TE (Miami)
The Carolina Panthers need more in the way of production from their tight ends in 2021. Ian Thomas and Chris Manhertz just didn’t have what it takes to fill the void left by Greg Olsen, with the team looking to free-agent signing Dan Arnold in pursuit of perhaps improving matters next season.
If the Panthers want an additional weapon to call upon with Thomas looking like a bust thus far, then they might want to cast their eye on Brevin Jordan. There is the obvious temptation to select Kyle Pitts in the first round if he’s there, but the chances of this are incredibly slim after his jaw-dropping measurements and performance at Florida’s pro day.
Jordan might have the elite athleticism Pitts brings to the table. But if he can refine certain areas of his game then a successful career at the next level is a real possibility.
The Miami star represents a matchup nightmare that can line up in the slot or on the outside. Jordan is an underrated blocker on the edge that often goes overlooked in today’s NFL, with his size and ability to create separation quickly sure to be an asset for Teddy Bridgewater in red-zone situations.
One thing is for sure, a tandem of Jordan and Arnold represents a significant upgrade on anything Carolina had in 2020. It would also allow them to cut ties with Thomas with a cap saving of $2.18 million.
Carolina Panthers trade out of the fourth round
General manager Scott Fitterer has made no secret of his desire to acquire more in the way of draft picks this year and beyond. The recent appointment gained a prolific reputation for finding the right sort of prospects in the mid-to-late rounds during his time with the Seattle Seahawks, which ended up with a promotion with his previous employer before wowing owner David Tepper and head coach Matt Rhule during the interview process.
Considering the talent in the first three rounds that made it hard for the Carolina Panthers to turn down. Perhaps looking towards trading out of the fourth round with a view to acquiring two more picks is the smart move at this juncture.
The Atlanta Falcons – an NFC South rival – were the suitor, moving up to get their hands on quarterback Kellen Mond out of Texas A&M as a development player to put behind former NFL MVP Matt Ryan.
This pick is made with a view to Mond one day potentially assuming command under center once the veteran’s contract is easier to get out of.
If Fitterer can find the same level of success with late-round recruits in Carolina as he did with the Seahawks, then this would be a shrewd move and one that could add some extra depth and energy to key positional groups without breaking the bank.
Round No. 5 (Pick No. 148)
Cornell Powell – WR (Clemson)
The Carolina Panthers lost Curtis Samuel to the Washington Football Team in free agency, but they still have some notable weapons for Teddy Bridgewater to call upon. David Moore arrived from the Seattle Seahawks on a team-friendly deal, with undrafted free-agent Micah Simon also signing after excelling at BYU’s pro day catching passes from projected No. 2 selection Zach Wilson.
However, getting another prospect with a high ceiling represents good value here. Cornell Powell burst onto the scene at Clemson in 2020 despite being a relative afterthought throughout his college career, so if he can build on this momentum at the next level, it could see him become an instant contributor in Carolina.
Round No. 5 (Pick No. 151)
Jaylen Twyman – DT (Pittsburgh)
Releasing Zach Kerr and Kawann Short leaves the Carolina Panthers lacking depth at defensive tackle. They do have Bravvion Roy and three-technique Morgan Fox. But adding to the options alongside stud rookie Derrick Brown would be a wise move at some stage.
Jaylen Twyman is arguably the most underappreciated prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Pittsburgh star is looking to follow in the footsteps of Aaron Donald and has a lot of the same traits in terms of creating havoc in opposing backfields.
If he can refine his run-stopping, he should be able to forge a productive career for himself thanks to a unique blend of explosiveness and raw power.
Round No. 5 (Pick No. 183)
James Wiggins – S (Cincinnati)
Even though it looks likely Jeremy Chinn will be moving back to safety from the second level in 2021, they could still use a dynamic weapon considering the inconsistent season put together by free-agent signing Juston Burris.
James Wiggins was one of the big winners from 2021 Senior Bowl week and represents a steal at this spot if he is still available. There is a knee problem that warrants further examination, but providing that works out, the prospect does have some potential.
Round No. 6 (Pick No. 193)
Aaron Banks – OG (Notre Dame)
The Carolina Panthers could use some young, hungry options on their offensive line. With Penei Sewell taken in the first round, Aaron Banks is the pick here and might end up being a Day 1 starter with a solid adjustment to the pro level.
Carolina sent their offensive line coaching staff to Notre Dame’s pro day to run the rule over prospects like Banks, who is a mauler in the run support and boasts plenty of starting experience with the Fighting Irish. Leaving him alone will bring some problems early on, but there is a lot to like about his chances of progression.
Round No. 6 (Pick No. 219)
Jonathon Cooper – DE/OLB (Ohio State)
Bringing the likes of Haason Reddick and Morgan Fox on board will do wonders for Carolina’s pass rush in 2021. Adding two productive veterans to a unit that also includes Brian Burns, Derrick Brown, and Yetur Gross-Matos has bags of potential and if they could draft Jonathon Cooper into the mix, it would be another explosive player to call upon.
Cooper may not have generated more than 3.5 sacks in any one season for Ohio State. However, the edge rusher has enough athletic attributes to take a flier on at this juncture.
Round No. 6 (Pick No. 222)
Deommodore Lenoir – CB (Oregon)
With Corn Elder now signed with the Detroit Lions and Rasul Douglas unlikely to be back, the Panthers need a little bit more in the way of depth. They did take Asante Samuel Jr. in the second round and if they could possibly snap up someone like Deommodore Lenoir at this stage of the draft weekend, it would be wise to pursue the opportunity.
Lenoir has already met virtually with the Panthers, so he is definitely a player of interest. He can cover on the outside or from the slot and also possesses more than the required will to get involved on running downs.
Round No. 6 (Pick No. 226)
C.J. Verdell – RB (Oregon)
There will be no Mike Davis backing up Christian McCaffrey after the veteran opted for a move to the Atlanta Falcons. So finding a college prospect who could step in at a moment’s notice should be targeted in the later rounds.
C.J. Verdell accumulated two 1,000-yard rushing seasons at Oregon before his production dipped in 2020. But his aggressive running style and ability to assist in the passing game two welcome traits from the Carolina Panthers’ perspective.
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Verdell plays a lot bigger than his size, although this does bring some complications in pass protection. If the back can work this out, he’d be a prospect worth considering.