4 prospects the Panthers hope fall to Round 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Which prospects could potentially drop into the second round during a hugely important 2021 NFL Draft for the Carolina Panthers?
The Carolina Panthers have a wealth of options at their disposal during the 2021 NFL Draft. Their acquisition of Sam Darnold from the New York Jets enables them to look beyond landing a top quarterback prospect, at the very least. But there appears to be some mileage behind the fact they will consider either Trey Lance or Justin Fields if they are still around at No. 8 overall.
That would be a big surprise on the face of things, especially considering how many important positions need reinforcing that should now take priority. Much will depend on how the draft plays out in front of the Panthers, but they’re in a much stronger position now than they were at the start of the offseason.
Carolina Panthers got lucky in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Panthers will also be hoping for some good fortune during the draft, something they enjoyed in 2020 when Penn State‘s explosive edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos fell into their laps at No. 38 overall after some alleged character concerns emerged during the evaluation process.
The defensive end showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie campaign. So if Gross-Matos develops further this offseason, he might end up being a real steal when it’s all said and done.
On this topic, let’s take a look at four prospects who Carolina might be hoping drop to No. 39 overall on Day 2.
Prospect No. 1
Wyatt Davis – OG (Ohio State)
Wyatt Davis is arguably the best pure guard entering the league this year and is a borderline first-round talent. A contending team will no doubt look in his direction with a view to getting some immediate assistance on the interior, with his name sure to come up in discussions early in the second round if he falls that far.
Davis has everyone one looks for in a stud guard at the next level. His frame makes the prospect incredibly difficult to shift off the block and his quick feet enable the former Ohio State standout to be very useful on passing downs.
The Carolina Panthers need to solidify their line early on during the draft if they want to give Sam Darnold the best chance of succeeding in different surroundings. If Davis does eventually drop to No. 39 overall, they should think long and hard about pulling the trigger.