Panthers 2021 NFL Draft: Way-too-early 3-round mock draft
3. Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
We’ve seen a lot of successful position switches in the past.
We’ve seen quarterbacks become running backs or wide receivers. We’ve seen wide receivers become cornerbacks. We’ve seen tight ends become offensive linemen.
Heck, we’ve seen basketball players become football players.
I can’t say that I have ever seen a quarterback become a linebacker.
Chazz Surratt of North Carolina is one of the most fascinating prospects in the entire 2021 NFL Draft class.
At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, he has the ideal frame for the modern NFL linebacker, but what about his history of playing the position?
In 2017, this guy threw 183 passes for the Tar Heels and had 13 total touchdowns in nine games (8 passing, 5 rushing).
He was moved to the linebacker position just this past season and the move was met with wild success.
Surratt racked up 115 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a game-sealing interception against Duke.
How does that happen?
As crazy as it seems, this former QB turned linebacker has a future in the NFL at linebacker, and his stock could rise much higher than the middle of day two of the draft.
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Once again, the Panthers stick in the Carolinas to make this selection and get a guy who can help them replace all of the experience and talent they have lost at the linebacker position in recent years.