2021 NFL Mock Draft: Bears trade into top 10 in Cohen’s final prediction
By Zach Cohen
player. 87. OT. Penei Sewell. Oregon. 8. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
I think the Panthers are more of a wild card than people give them credit for — and that’s saying something. While I could see Patrick Surtain II or Jaycee Horn win over the folks in Carolina, I would not be shocked to see Carolina take Rashawn Slater over Sewell. Yes, you read that right. This may be a pick I come back to and alter last minute, but that will have to happen on my Twitter @ZachCohenFB.
The other option here: a trade. The Panthers are in a prime spot to move down with a quarterback-needy team (looking at you, Bears). It may all depend on whether the Broncos stay at No. 9, though.
Like I said, Nos. 7-9 are total toss-ups. If each team stays put, it can easily be a run of non-quarterbacks. At the same time, two passers going within this range isn’t too unfathomable. In what may be the unofficial motto of this mock draft, the Panthers would be thrilled to move down and recoup future draft picks.
Picks in the 2022 NFL Draft will be held in higher regard due to the circumstances this year, and Carolina already may be prepared to enter their hat into the 2022 QB race. Despite all that mumbo-jumbo, I stay boring and give the Panthers a player who could be atop their draft boards. Just be warned if their pick raises some eyebrows…
Alternative picks: Rashawn Slater, trade down, Patrick Surtain, Jaycee Horn