Carolina Panthers: Top first-round 2021 NFL Draft targets

Pin-pointing the top first-round targets for the Carolina Panthers in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Carolina Panthers suffered a 32-27 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, falling to 4-9 on the year. If the season ended today, the Panthers would hold the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, presenting them another opportunity to add an impact player to their improving roster.

In this post, we are going to look at some potential targets for the Carolina Panthers with their first-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. Right now, the Panthers sit at No. 6 and are likely to be picking somewhere in the top 10 when it is all said and done. With this in mind, we are going to be looking at prospects who will likely be available and are worthy of being taken in that range. Let’s get started with the most important position on the roster.

Quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Trey Lance

I wanted to group these two prospects together because this has more to do with their current quarterback situation than the prospects themselves. Teddy Bridgewater has played well for the Panthers this season, but let’s be honest, he is a bridge quarterback for this franchise. At some point, the Panthers are going to have to invest and commit to a long-term franchise quarterback to lead them into the future.

Picking high in the 2021 NFL Draft will allow them that opportunity this offseason if they wish to capitalize. The Panthers are not going to be in range to snag Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields but could easily find themselves in a position to land Zach Wilson or Trey Lance. Wilson and Lance are not quite the same tier as Lawrence and Fields, but they are both gifted quarterbacks who undoubtedly have high ceilings at the next level.

Taking Fields or Lance in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and developing the quarterback to lead the Panthers into the future is certainly a realistic possibility for this franchise.