2021 NFL Draft: Early draft needs for the Carolina Panthers
By Kyle Edmond
As one of the biggest rebuilds currently going on the NFL, what will the Carolina Panthers be looking for in the 2021 NFL Draft following the season?
When it comes to teams that are in the process of rebuilding the Carolina Panthers are near the top of the list, if not the team at the very top of the list. After taking all defensive players in the 2020 NFL Draft, the 2021 NFL Draft will prove to be a pivotal point in the remaking of the team’s roster.
Luckily for the Panthers, they have perhaps the best running back in the National Football League, and one of the best players overall, in Christian McCaffrey to be a building block for the future. Alongside McCaffrey is D.J. Moore, who is a budding star in his own right. These two could be the only pieces keeping the team competitive this year and it will be in large part due to their new system.
At the helm of it all is new head coach Matt Rhule, who came from Baylor and is known for an explosive offense that will harness the speed of McCaffrey, Moore and others across the offense. Rhule should be able to get creative enough to give the Panthers a fighting chance.
While there is excitement around the offense, there are as many concerns. Whether it be the offensive line protection or play of the quarterback, Panthers fans are hesitant to get overly excited, and for good reason.
Beyond that, the defense is young and inexperienced at the NFL level, considering they have seven players on the unit that were drafted this year and another three that the team drafted in either 2018 or 2019 who are slated to start.
Even with the bumps that will come in the coming year, there is a bright future in Carolina with McCaffrey, Moore and Rhule. So what can the team look to add during the 2021 NFL Draft to further their rebuild and get back to competing at a high level each week?