Panthers 2021 NFL Draft: Way-too-early 3-round mock draft

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Wait a second…

Don’t the Panthers have to get the number one pick in the 2021 NFL Draft in order to draft Trevor Lawrence?

At this point, it seems like the answer to that question is yes, but there is nothing set in stone at this point no matter how good Lawrence has been or how good he can be.

He is undoubtedly a tremendous talent who would be worth the top overall pick in the draft even if the 2020 college football season is not played at all.

With that said, the Panthers are currently projected to get the fourth pick in The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator, so they are clearly predicted to be in contention for the top pick in next year’s draft.

With all of the change on their roster and the youth it’s made up of, would it really surprise anyone if the Panthers were in a position to select Lawrence next year?

Lawrence is tremendous in the pocket, off-schedule, as a runner — you name it.

He can really do it all.

He had some hiccups early in the 2019 season but didn’t throw a single interception over the final eight games of the year compared to 22 touchdown passes in that same timeframe.

Lawrence is a smart player whose game is diverse and projects extremely well to the pro level.

He would be a franchise-altering pick for the Panthers, and he would get to stay in the Carolinas, just a couple of hours east from Memorial Stadium to Bank of America Stadium.