What would a perfect first round look like for the Panthers in 2021?

Possible first-round options for the Carolina Panthers

• Penei Sewell – OT (Oregon)
• Justin Fields – QB (Ohio State)
• Rashawn Slater – OT (Northwestern)
• Patrick Surtain II – CB (Alabama)
• Kyle Pitts – TE (Florida)

Regardless of the quarterback situation, with the need to improve the offensive line, the main target for the Carolina Panthers would possibly be Penei Sewell. But if the Oregon product is taken then for some reason I’m not completely sold on Rashawn Slater being the best player available.

There are some who believe a move inside could possibly be on the cards for Slater and another player will be selected in the coming years to replace that hole. But also I feel the team will still try to give offseason acquisition Cam Erving and returning lineman Greg Little another opportunity to improve and win a starting position if a promising prospect isn’t selected in the first two or three rounds.

Two other popular choices for Carolina are Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts and University of Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Both players are immensely skilled and would equal tremendous upgrades at their respective positions, but both areas have been touched on during free agency.

So with that knowledge, I’m not inclined to believe that they would sign starting-caliber players and still draft this high at those positions with their first pick. Not to say it couldn’t happen, but I see the first two or three picks being need-based.

With Dan Arnold, A.J. Bouye, and Rashaan Melvin all in the building, it’s not a high priority. Though many fans would want to draft one of the two and ease them in, I believe that would possibly create a negative effect for players who already don’t need to be reminded of the Cam Newton fiasco as well as the ongoing Teddy Bridgewater situation.

One possibility that I could also foresee is a trade-back situation in which Carolina would gain more picks while targeting a player a little further down due to the fact that each targeted position will possibly have available options in rounds one through four. And clearly, it’s a very popular opinion.

If the top offensive lineman is gone that is. But that is a question for another day with your Carolina Panthers.