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

Jamien Sherwood – S (Auburn)

• New York Jets – No. 146 overall

Perhaps the most surprising thing to emerge from the 2021 NFL Draft was the Carolina Panthers did not bring in any additional options at the safety position. It wasn’t considered an especially deep class anyway, so addressing this in free agency with a solid veteran on the cheap might be the best avenue to go down at this juncture.

If the organization was looking for someone in the mid-to-late rounds, then Jamien Sherwood was potentially on their shortlist. However, they were unable to get within reach of the prospect in the fifth round, with the Auburn product going to the New York Jets at No. 154.

Sherwood has all the length, athleticism, and aggressiveness that Carolina sought heavily during their draft recruitment process this year. This might indicate he was a target, although there is simply no knowing for sure unless you were one of the select few in the Panthers’ war room.

Carolina got themselves two potential steals from the fifth-round in the form of Daviyon Nixon and Keith Taylor, who could both play a substantial role in 2021 with a smooth transition to the pro ranks.

Missing out on prospects might be disappointing, especially for fans who favor one over the other. But Scott Fitterer has a strong reputation for finding diamonds in the rough at this stage of the draft and should be trusted with his picks in Carolina.