5 Panthers draft picks who will have the biggest impact in 2021
By Dean Jones
Which members of the 2021 NFL Draft class will have the biggest impact on the Carolina Panthers during their rookie seasons?
Considering the level of uncertainty surrounding a new regime, things couldn’t have gone much better for the Carolina Panthers during the 2021 NFL Draft. The organization picked up some exciting prospects and managed to gain some additional capital after a flurry of trades, which is something that was high on general manager Scott Fitterer’s wish list ahead of the process.
What comes next for the 2021 class will be equally as important. Many of them will be counted upon to make instant impressions and hit the ground running at the next level. If they can do this, then the Panthers might be a sneaky bet to make the postseason next time around.
Obviously, the big factor to consider in all of this is Sam Darnold. The quarterback gets his chance to prove he can be an NFL starting-caliber player after dismal three years with the New York Jets and Carolina did a tremendous job of acquiring talent via the draft that should mean there are no excuses where the former USC star is concerned.
With this in mind, here are five new Panthers players who could have the biggest impact during their rookie campaigns in 2021.
Draft Pick No. 1
Daviyon Nixon – Carolina Panthers DT
- 5th round – No. 158 overall
The Panthers picked up some tremendous value by taking Daviyon Nixon in the fifth round, a pick they acquired from the Houston Texans during a trade late in Day 2. There won’t be anything like immediate pressure on the player to come in and make a starting spot his own. But there is a big chance the former Iowa standout can make a high level of impact on a rotational basis as a rookie.
One area where Nixon thrives is creating havoc in opposing backfields. He is a commanding force in obvious pass-rushing situations thanks to his eye-catching blend of burst and power. There should also be plenty of space to work in thanks to Carolina’s wealth of imposing talent across their defensive front.
If Nixon can earn a prominent spot on the rotation early, then there is a lot to like about his chances of making his presence felt from the word go.