5 quarterbacks the Panthers could still select in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
K.J. Costello – Mississippi State
There were plenty of inconsistencies in K.J. Costello’s play in 2020 once he transferred to Mississippi State in a bid for increased competition. But it might be a little too soon to write off the quarterback entirely.
This year was not the easiest for players like Costello making this move thanks to COVID-19 complications. Things didn’t work out as the player had hoped last season and whether teams look past this and select him over the all-important draft weekend is questionable at this juncture.
At least from an intangible standpoint, there is a lot to like about Costello’s potential in the NFL. He has an absolute rocket for an arm who has good balance for a 6-foot-5 player at the position.
His decision-making does need some work, especially when facing pressure. There is also his lack of consistency once some top competition was more readily present against him last time out that simply cannot be overlooked from a scouting standpoint. So any organization that takes him on to expect miracles during the first couple of years with the team is going to be out of luck.
Costello has a lot of likable traits that the Carolina Panthers might go after if they want to bring in additional depth and a project to work with now they have Sam Darnold. But it might take some time to work out the clear deficiencies in his game.