3-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Broncos, Bears trade up for quarterbacks

8. Carolina Panthers: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

There was a time where the Carolina Panthers looked to be a team that would move up in the top-10 for a quarterback. They had Teddy Bridgewater as the starter in 2020 and he proved to be a stop-gap for them as the offense just struggled to get much of anything done. Placing all the blame on Bridgewater is unfair since the entire roster needs work but he still doesn’t appear to be the answer.

That’s why it seemed they could be ready to go after one of the top quarterbacks but that changed when they traded for Sam Darnold. The former No. 3 overall pick from USC has his own problems to overcome, but much of his struggles could be blamed on the Jets coaching staff and roster.

With him ready to prove he can be the guy, Carolina adds some help in front of him with Penei Sewell from Oregon. Currently, they have Taylor Moton and Greg Little but Moton is on the franchise tag and Little has yet to prove he’s the answer. Sewell’s addition guarantees they will have one star even if Little doesn’t turn it around or if they can’t re-sign Moton beyond 2021.

Should they come to terms with Moton and even if Little finds his stride, Sewell wouldn’t be a wasted pick. He’s a versatile player who can move inside as well, meaning they improve their line no matter what. And if they’re going to get the most out of Darnold, they’re going to need to make sure he feels comfortable — something he never had in New York.