4 players the Panthers should have drafted over Thomas Fletcher

Which players should the Carolina Panthers have drafted instead of long-snapper Thomas Fletcher during the 2021 NFL Draft?

Life is always full of potential regrets. The Carolina Panthers are no different with some of their offseason decisions, which has seen the organization almost constantly in the thick of things regarding recruitment since the appointment of general manager Scott Fitterer from the Seattle Seahawks.

Some signings and draft selections look the part. Others such as Denzel Perryman and David Moore were shipped out without playing a competitive snap.

Fitterer’s aggressive approach was further highlighted this week when the Panthers traded for All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore just hours before the New England Patriots planned to release the player.

This came on the back of C.J. Henderson’s acquisition from the Jacksonville Jaguars, giving defensive coordinator Phil Snow an embarrassment of riches at the position once Jaycee Horn returns from a broken foot.

Of course, one of the more bizarre moves made by Carolina this offseason was drafting long-snapper Thomas Fletcher out of Alabama in the sixth round. Especially as the player was placed on injured/reserve before the campaign and didn’t look like he was beating out veteran J.J. Jansen to the starting job anyway.

Simply put, there was more meat on the bone for the Panthers to strengthen their roster. Here are four players they’d have been better off taking instead.