4 potential trade offers for the Panthers No. 8 pick in 2021
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers trade offer No. 1
One team that might be a little more aggressive during the draft this year is the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick clearly did not take kindly to seeing Tom Brady lifting a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his first season away from the franchise, which also coincided with the AFC East side relinquishing their crown to the Buffalo Bills and missing the postseason.
Belichick was unusually aggressive in free agency and there is also the small matter of returning veterans who opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 health concerns to consider. New England did bring back former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton on a one-year extension, but there is growing speculation they might also be in the market for a longer-term solution if the 2015 NFL MVP fails to make the most out of better weapons at his disposal.
The Patriots have plenty of selections if they want to make this sort of move. Giving up two picks this year and a second next time around might be enough for the Panthers to do a deal, which would also give them a second-rounder back they are giving up as part of their trade for Sam Darnold.
Scott Fitterer would also possess two seconds in 2021 that could be put to extremely good use, in addition to a late-rounder where he was so successful finding gems during his time with the Seattle Seahawks.
New England has been renowned for trading back – not moving forward. But they are behaving differently this offseason and will no doubt pull the trigger if they get the chance.