NFL mock draft, 3 rounds: QBs, trades, surprises in latest predictions
2021 NFL mock draft: 13th pick
player. 87. Pick Analysis. OT. Rashawn Slater. 13. Scouting Report. Northwestern
Panthers GM/HC: Scott Fitterer/Matt Rhule
Even after trading down from the 8th overall pick, the Carolina Panthers come away with a player in Rashawn Slater who could very well be the Panthers’ pick at 8 if they stay put.
Make no mistake about it — Penei Sewell is not the unanimous OT1 in this year’s draft and there is no guarantee that Sewell comes off the board before Slater.
Slater put together some impressive seasons at Northwestern, even though he opted out of the 2020 season completely. He proved he could play at a high level both as a left tackle and right tackle and put some of his best work on tape against Ohio State’s Chase Young in 2019.
Although both Slater and Sewell have less-than-ideal length for the position, they more than make up for it with power and athleticism, especially Slater with the latter.
The Panthers invested three draft choices (a 2021 sixth-round pick and 2022 second-and fourth-round picks) in quarterback Sam Darnold. Some pundits are warning that the acquisition of Darnold does not take the Panthers out of the quarterback derby in the 2021 NFL Draft, but what sense would that make?
If you made the trade for Darnold, you have to commit to doing what the Jets couldn’t — put the right roster around him.
The Panthers franchise-tagged Taylor Moton and they are obviously hoping for healthy seasons for Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore, and Darnold’s old pal Robby Anderson. Put some of the final pieces of the puzzle in place. Get a left tackle like Slater who can help protect the investment you just made in Darnold.