2021 NFL Draft: Jets, Panthers fill QB need in three-round mock draft
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, 3rd overall
3. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB. Justin Fields. Ohio State. 87
The third overall pick feels like an obvious trade down spot for the Miami Dolphins. If these quarterbacks are valued as highly as we expect them to be, teams will be willing to get aggressive to get in a position to land one. With Tua Tagovailoa already on the roster, expect the Dolphins to move this pick to the highest bidder and there will likely be plenty of teams willing to make the move up.
In this 2021 NFL Draft scenario, the Carolina Panthers are the team that gets aggressive and moves up to No. 3. In this mock trade, the Panthers give up their first and second-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft (No. 8 and No. 40), their first and third-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft and their second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
This is certainly a lot to give up to move up five spots, but the quarterback position is king and there will likely be major competition for the pick. The price is going to be high. That being said, trading up for Justin Fields is worth the high cost for a team like the Carolina Panthers.
Fields is an incredibly talented quarterback prospect whose combination of size, athleticism and natural arm talent gives him a ridiculously high ceiling at the next level. Fields has an extremely strong arm and he does a great job of pushing the ball down the field with zip and accuracy. He is also a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who feels pressure well, escapes the pocket when needed and can win with both speed and power as a runner.
Fields is an incredibly gifted quarterback prospect who could quickly grow into an absolute superstar at the next level. That being said, there is still a bit of development left in his game. I like this fit with Carolina for Fields because he will be put in a good, stable situation and also not be expected to compete right away if he is not ready.
The Panthers would be perfectly happy to go into the 2021 season with Teddy Bridgewater as their starting quarterback while they groom Fields from the bench. When he is ready, the Panthers can turn to Fields and let him grow into the fantastic quarterback that he is.