3 ways the Panthers draft could get impacted by the Falcons at No. 4

In a world where an NFL team’s draft pick is often dictated by those that come before it, how could the Carolina Panthers be impacted by the Atlanta Falcons at No. 4?

We all know what happened last time the Carolina Panthers held the No. 8 overall selection in the NFL Draft. A certain running back was selected; one who became the third player at the position in league history to achieve 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in the same season.

That man, of course, is Christian McCaffrey, and he continues to be the face of the Panthers today.

Well, it just so happens that Carolina has the same pick this year as well. They may not acquire a player quite as impactful as McCaffrey this time around – and let’s face it, that’d be pretty hard to do – but they could certainly select a prospect that would immediately help the team contend for the division title once again.

Speaking of the NFC South, the Atlanta Falcons are sitting at No. 4 in this year’s draft. With each team’s picks being heavily influenced by who is still available, this is no laughing matter.

Carolina’s division rival, albeit their least threatening one, has the opportunity to select a player for themselves who may already be wearing a blue and black jersey in the minds of fans and those in power with the Panthers.

If the Falcons choose such a player or perhaps make a decision that really shakes things up in the draft’s first round (by trading down with a particular team, for example), then the Panthers’ first-round pick may depend entirely on what the Falcons do first.

Atlanta’s pick might be the most ambiguous in the top ten. On that note, let’s take a look at three scenarios where the Panthers’ selection is determined by what the Falcons do earlier in the first round.