4 potential trade offers for the Panthers No. 8 pick in 2021

Carolina Panthers trade No. 2

Now doing a deal with some familiar faces might be hard to do in the grand scheme of things, but it’s important to remember that the Carolina Panthers have all the power in this situation. The organization has no problem staying put at No. 8 and getting themselves a legitimate playmaker, a franchise left tackle, or even a quarterback themselves despite acquiring Sam Darnold.

Carolina will be all-too-aware of what the Washington Football Team – or any other organization for that matter – is trading up for. Former Panthers head coach Ron Rivera made a tremendous start to life in a new environment despite undergoing cancer treatment throughout the campaign, leading his team to a divisional title and a playoff appearance, so they don’t appear to be that far away from contending.

Washington has a defense that is among the NFL’s best – especially on their front seven. But what they do lack is a long-term answer at the most important position on the field.

Their signing of Ryan Fitzpatrick in free agency is more of a band-aid considering the veteran’s age and miles on the clock. Taylor Heinicke was brought back after making a really good impression in the postseason, but whether he is a viable long-term option remains to be seen.

Going from No. 19 into the top-10 is going to cost Washington. So the Panthers could extract first and fourth-round picks next year, in addition to a third-rounder Washington acquired from the San Francisco 49ers when they traded for Trent Williams.