Panthers draft rumors: Kyle Pitts, Penei Sewell, Teddy Bridgewater, meetings

Carolina Panthers face a fight for Penei Sewell

Now that the Carolina Panthers have a quarterback in Sam Darnold that can hopefully lead the franchise long-term, attention must now turn to get better in the way of protection in front of him. This might see the team allocate the No. 8 overall selection on a top tackle prospect, with Oregon’s stud Penei Sewell seemingly at the top of everybody’s shortlist.

Sewell is arguably the best edge protector entering the league in a generation. He has everything one looks for in an elite left tackle and despite missing the 2020 campaign after opting out, there appears little doubt he can thrive further in a professional environment.

Considering the expected strong run of quarterbacks expected in the top-three – which might see the Atlanta Falcons also trade out from No. 4 with a big offer from elsewhere – there might be a chance Sewell falls to Carolina.

Simply put, this is an opportunity they should not pass up.

However, according to FOX Sports, the Los Angeles Chargers are exploring the possibility of trading up for Sewell if the Cincinnati Bengals decided to pass on the player in favor of reuniting Joe Burrow with LSU’s stud wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.

If Sewell were to end up in Los Angeles, it would be a blow to the Panthers and would also see the player teaming up once again with ex-Oregon teammate Justin Herbert, who took the NFL by storm during his rookie campaign.