5 prospects the Panthers do not want to see in the NFC South
By Dean Jones
Which NFL Draft prospects do the Carolina Panthers not want to see end up on any of their NFC South rivals in 2021?
What transpires over the all-important NFL Draft weekend in 2021 is going to have huge ramifications not only for the Carolina Panthers but also for their divisional rivals. The NFC South is one of the league’s more competitive and was given a huge shot in the arm after Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went on a memorable playoff run that eventually ended with them lifting the Super Bowl.
The Bucs have kept the majority of their roster together despite the financial uncertainty due to a shrinking salary cap. This should mean another bold bid is expected next time around.
However, there could be an opportunity for the Panthers to make more of an impression with the retirement of Drew Brees, who has been a legendary figure for the New Orleans Saints in recent years and it remains to be seen whether Jameis Winston is capable of filling the void.
There is also some speculation surrounding the long-term future of Matt Ryan with the Atlanta Falcons, who are sitting at No. 4 overall and will have the pick of the prospects after those in the top-three take their quarterbacks of choice.
Carolina Panthers will be up against it in 2021.
It’s going to take a monumental effort for the Panthers to win the division. However, considering their free-agent signings and the acquisition of quarterback Sam Darnold from the New York Jets, if they can strike it big with some of their incoming college recruits then a surprise playoff spot is not out of the realm of possibility.
This will be tough, of that there is little doubt. But the Panthers can take great heart from the fact they lost eight games by one score in 2020, even if it seems to have cost Teddy Bridgewater his job.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at five draft prospects who Carolina doesn’t want to see end up on a divisional rival later this month.