5 silent assassins on defense the Panthers could draft in 2021
By Dean Jones
Olaijah Griffin – CB (USC)
Despite the Carolina Panthers bringing in some much-needed experience in the form of Pro Bowl cornerback A.J. Bouye, the player will miss the first two games of the 2021 season due to suspension and there is little in the way of depth behind him.
Just how much progress Troy Pride Jr. and Stantley Thomas-Oliver make during the offseason is going to be crucial. But it would be wise for the organization to get in another talented prospect who comes with a ton of upside.
Nobody seems to be paying much attention to Olaijah Griffin, which could work in favor of someone who quietly fancies taking the prospect at some stage during the draft. Just where the corner is going to go is unclear, with analysts projecting him to go anywhere from rounds 3-7 depending on which mock draft you read.
Griffin is highly competitive and should fit in well within Carolina’s locker room. His production against the run is incredibly impressive and he matches up well with physical wide receivers in press coverage, which is an area where the Panthers struggled throughout large parts of the 2020 campaign.
There are some injury concerns that need to be checked out before any willing party takes him on. But providing the Panthers or another team is satisfied with this, acquiring the former USC star could be worth its weight in gold.