4 prospects the Panthers missed out on during the 2021 NFL Draft

Michael Carter – RB (North Carolina)

• New York Jets – No. 104 overall

If the Carolina Panthers were hoping that Michael Carter’s slide would see them with a shot at taking the running back at No. 126, it didn’t take long for them to be disappointed. The North Carolina product was snapped up quickly at the start of Day 3 by the New York Jets, who put another enticing piece around new quarterback Zach Wilson with the No. 104 overall selection.

Carter has a tremendous amount going for him at the next level. His prolific tandem with Javonte Williams in the Tarheels’ backfield was arguably college football’s best in 2020 and picking him up at this stage was a shrewd move by the Jets, who had a pretty good draft overall.

Whether Carter was a player of interest for the Panthers is up for debate. But judging by what happened later on in the round he would have been strongly considered.

With the No. 126 overall selection, Carolina opted to take Chuba Hubbard out of Oklahoma State. He is a gifted dual-threat back that enjoyed a couple of phenomenal games against Matt Rhule’s Baylor, which prompted his wife to put in a text demanding the head coach pick him up.

Hubbard should be able to fill the primary backup role behind Christian McCaffrey that was vacated by Mike Davis after he departed in free agency for the Atlanta Falcons. His presence might also see more in the way of two-back sets to give Joe Brady more possibilities on offense.