2021 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles target DeVonta Smith, Bears settle on Mac Jones

There will be some serious consideration for a quarterback here when the Carolina Panthers are on the board, but the fact is, head coach Matt Rhule likely believes in Teddy Bridgewater enough to give him one more season before making a big move. Sure, Bridgewater isn’t ever going to be Tom Brady, but he’s a player who can win when the team around him is good — and the defense keeps the score low.

They have already focused on improving that defense some, with the addition of Derrick Brown out of Auburn with their No. 7 overall pick last season. The big defensive tackle showed flashes as a rookie and should be a defensive cornerstone for years to come.

Now, they continue to add talent to that side of the ball with the selection of Patrick Surtain II out of Alabama. The son of a former NFL Pro Bowler, the younger Surtain seems to have an even higher bar than his father.

A former five-star recruit, Surtain showed out as a boundary corner who excelled in large part due to his size and length. The 6-foot-1, 203-cornerback has the makings of a No. 1 corner who can help rebuild the Carolina secondary. Eventually, the Panthers will add a new signal-caller, but Rhule is a team-builder who will likely want to add the QB as the last piece rather than trying to plug one into a bad roster.