Carolina Panthers: Top first-round 2021 NFL Draft targets

Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

The Panthers invested heavily in their defense last offseason, spending all seven of their picks in the 2020 NFL Draft on the defensive prospects. I imagine that they will look to invest in their offense early in the 2021 NFL Draft, but they still have defensive needs that must be addressed.

Cornerback stands out as a major position of need for the Carolina Panthers and Caleb Farley in an incredibly gifted player at the position who has massive upside at the next level. Farley is a big and athletic cornerback who shines in man-to-man coverage. He is a bit of a raw prospect, but Farley’s physical skill-set should allow him to grow into an impact player at the next level. Farley could easily be an option for the Panthers early in the first round.

Micha Parsons, LB, Penn State

Shaq Thompson is still making plays for the Carolina Panthers on the defensive side of the ball, but their off-ball linebacker situation as a whole leaves plenty to be desired. Micah Parsons is undoubtedly one of the top defensive prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft and should be on the Panthers’ radar in the first round.

Parsons is an extremely athletic linebacker prospect who covers a ton of ground on the field. Listed at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Parsons has plenty of size to hold up on the inside against the run. He shed blocks with ease and closes on the ball carrier quickly. Parsons’ combination of size and athleticism also makes him a dangerous weapon against the pass.

He matches up well in man coverage against nearly any player on the field. Parsons is also an extremely explosive pass rusher who can wreak havoc in the blitz game. Simply put, Parsons is an incredibly gifted athlete who has massive upside at the next level. He is an obvious first-round target for the Carolina Panthers in the 2021 NFL Draft.