4 bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers in the 2021 NFL Draft

Carolina Panthers will take a WR within their first three picks

Scott Fitterer has been telling anybody who will listen that the Carolina Panthers are going into the 2021 NFL Draft with a view to selecting the best prospect available on their board. This luxury is normally more associated with contending teams with little in the way of problems that need solving. But although Matt Rhule’s men are nowhere near this standard yet, settling for less upside just because it fills a need is not something the general manager is going to consider.

This is another exceptionally deep class for wide receivers from the college ranks. They’ll have to go some to top what we saw from those that entered the league in 2020, but there is every chance those at the top-end of the draft can make a similar impact from the word go.

Now, the Panthers don’t necessarily have a need to select a wideout early.

They still have Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore leading the charge on the outside. David Moore also joined the ranks to compensate for the loss of Curtis Samuel after he left in free agency for the Washington Football Team.

Anderson is out of contract next year and another strong campaign could price him out of an extension. Finding a longer-term receiver isn’t entirely out of the question and if the Panthers identify someone they really like in the first, second, or third rounds, then a bombshell might not be too far behind.