2021 NFL Team Draft Page

By the time the 2021 NFL draft occurs, it will be officially 10 years since the Panthers used the 1st pick in the draft to select franchise great Cam Newton. The team will once again use this selection to draft the next great QB coming out of college with hopes of leading the franchise to Super Bowl glory! Let's hope this one lasts longer than a decade.

There are a few key factors to consider in determining how the Panthers will likely be picking 1st:

• Matt Rhule became the Panthers' Head Coach. (New HC)
• Joe Brady became the Panthers' Offensive Coordinator (New OC implementing new offensive system).
• The Panthers released Cam Newton and signed Teddy Bridgewater (New QB learning a new system).
• Phil Snow became the Panthers' Defensive Coordinator (New DC implementing new defensive scheme).
• A talented, yet VERY young defense after spending every draft pick on the defensive side of the ball (vs High-powered offenses in the NFC South).
• Lots of uncertainty amongst the offensive line. (QB has had prior injury concerns)

To add to these factors, Panthers' GM Marty Hurney has been calling teams looking for secondary help after reports surfaced that many of the Panthers' DB's, specifically the rookies, have struggled mightily. I can already hear the likes of Julio Jones, Michael Thomas, and Mike Evans licking their chops...


All this leads us to what will be the first Clemson player EVER drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the form of prodigy QB, and BRILLIANT head of hair, Trevor Lawrence! He's been talked about as being the 1st-overall pick of the draft for 3 years now, and rightfully so.

Trevor quite simply has it all. At 6'6", 220+ pounds, Trevor has the build that NFL GMs covet. Lawrence has incredible arm talent and routinely makes throws from both inside and outside of the pocket, while being able to layer the ball over the head of linebackers right into the ever-waiting hands of his receivers. I've quite simply never seen a college QB stay so completely calm even as chaos swarmed around him. He has no problem trusting his protection and stepping up into the pocket to deliver downfield throws with timing and touch, while being pressured. He goes through his progressions with poise, and the offensive play-callers at Clemson completely trust Lawrence at the line of scrimmage as he is frequently seen making checks and identifying incoming blitzes. Clemson has given him full control of that offense because he is in control of that offense. I want to highlight this play from Trevor's freshman year where he rolls to his left and throws an absolute DART to Hunter Renfrow at the bottom-left corner of the end zone. Throws like this are routine for Lawrence. You just can't teach that!

I invite everyone to check out the new Panthers Team Page where you can view the entire mock draft for the Panthers on one page without clicking through all the rounds! Don't forget to check out the C3 Carolina Cat Chronicles podcast Tuesday nights at 9 PM and 30 minutes after every game to hear us discuss all the latest in Panther Nation!

- Cody Lachney, Panthers Analyst