Panthers full 7-round mock draft after Sam Darnold trade
By Dean Jones
![(Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports) Sam Darnold (Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports) Sam Darnold](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fcatcrave-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F15142167-850x560-796c5762ab2f911e524c00b7ba5d78866bed1ea42cc0027add7da332672e75b8.jpg)
Carolina Panthers trade down from No. 39
Now, this isn’t something normally associated with the New England Patriots. But Bill Belichick is a man on a mission this offseason after watching former quarterback Tom Brady lift a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his first campaign away from the franchise.
The Carolina Panthers need to get additional draft capital at some stage after giving up three picks for Sam Darnold, with this trade seeing the Patriots move up to take their potential signal-caller of the future in Kyle Trask out of Florida.
This is a win-win for the Panthers, who get two draft selections in 2021 and also get a second-rounder next year that they’re going to sacrifice as part of the Darnold trade.
Round No. 2 (Pick No. 46)
Alex Leatherwood – OL (Alabama)
Another offensive tackle, I hear you say? Wrong.
Although Alex Leatherwood is an accomplished edge protector during his time at Alabama, there are plenty of NFL scouts who think the prospect might be better suited to interior protection in the pro ranks. This is something the player has discussed with interested teams during the evaluation process, with his professionalism sure to make his transition a smooth one if this is the route he eventually goes down.
Carolina needs additional assistance in pass protection within their guard spots. Putting Leatherwood at left guard alongside Penei Sewell on the blindside is a mouth-watering proposition that could assist Sam Darnold considerably.