Panthers have 3 scenarios for trading their No. 8 NFL draft pick that are worth it
As the Panthers’ staff works through their 2021 NFL draft board, they’ll be faced with an interesting decision later this month.
Should the Panthers, who have the eighth overall pick, stay at No. 8? Should they attempt to trade back? Or should they attempt to trade up?
Trading up is the least likely option. And the Panthers should be able to get a great player at eight.
But trading back also presents some interesting scenarios because there are a number of teams that pick between No. 9 and No. 20 who are eager to address quarterback in this draft.
They include the Denver Broncos, who own the ninth pick, the New England Patriots, who own the 15th pick and Washington Football Team, which owns the 19th pick.
And at No. 8, the Panthers’ draft spot can help those teams solve their problem.
There are five quarterbacks who will likely be selected in the first round, most draft experts say. And the general sense among them is that at least three quarterbacks will be off the board by the time the Panthers pick.
By trading back, the Panthers could still address one of their needs with a high-level player while also accumulating assets.
The Panthers have needs at offensive tackle, defensive tackle, cornerback, safety and a pass-catching tight end.
For Carolina, trading back to No. 9 or No. 15 are the best options.
Scenario one (Broncos)
Let’s say one of the top quarterbacks is still on the board by the time the Panthers pick. The Panthers could make a trade with the Broncos, who own the ninth overall pick.
If the Panthers trade back to No. 9, they could still get the player they were going to draft at No. 8, while accumulating another asset. That’s if the Broncos are interested in a quarterback.
The Broncos are a wild card. They drafted a quarterback — Drew Lock — in 2019, but he hasn’t played well in his first two seasons. He’s also only entering his third season, so the Broncos may be willing to give him a chance.
But if the Broncos are interested in a trade, the Panthers have leverage in that the Patriots, who are looking for their quarterback of the future, may also want to trade up for a quarterback.
Denver may want to make sure they stay ahead of New England.
Last year, the San Francisco 49ers traded the 13th pick and a seventh-round pick to Tampa Bay for their 14th pick and their fourth-round pick.
The Panthers could engineer a similar trade.
With the ninth pick, the Panthers could draft Northwestern offensive tackle Rayshawn Slater, considered the second-best tackle in the 2021 draft class; linebacker Micah Parsons, who is considered the top linebacker in this class; Patrick Surtain II, who is widely considered a shutdown corner; or perhaps Florida tight end Kyle Pitts if he falls somehow.
ESPN draft guru Todd McShay ranks Slater as the eighth-best prospect on this draft class, Parsons as the ninth best, Surtain as the 11th best, and Pitts as the second best.
Slater, Parsons or Surtain aren’t expected to be drafted before No. 8. And Slater and Surtain address the Panthers’ two biggest needs — left tackle and cornerback.
The Panthers haven’t had a consistent left tackle since Jordan Gross retired in 2013. And at cornerback, Donte Jackson is scheduled to enter free agency in 2022.
Scenario two (Patriots)
A trade with the Patriots, who have the 15th pick, is also an option. The Patriots are said to be the team most likely to trade up because of their need for a quarterback.
The Patriots could also trade with the Falcons, who have the fourth pick. That would guarantee them one of the top five quarterbacks.
But if the Falcons don’t trade their pick, and don’t draft a quarterback, then the Panthers remain a valuable trade destination.
If the Panthers trade back to 15, there’s a chance former South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn is there. Horn is ranked 15th on McShay’s list of top prospects in the draft and is the second-best cornerback.
Panthers coach Matt Rhule attended South Carolina’s pro day, where Horn ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, vertical jumped 41.5 inches and put up 19 reps on the bench press.
Horn, who is 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, is the son of former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn. He had eight pass deflections and two interceptions in seven games last season for South Carolina
By trading with the Patriots, the Panthers would also get an extra pick, either this year or perhaps a 2022 second-rounder to make up for the one they gave up in the Sam Darnold trade.
Scenario three (Washington)
While the previous two scenarios are their best options, the Panthers could also trade back with Washington Football Team, which owns the 19th pick. Washington recently signed quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, but he isn’t a long-term option.
And like trading with New England, the Panthers could get some valuable assets in return for a trade with Washington.
A similar trade was made in 2019, when the Denver Broncos traded back from No. 10 to No. 20 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and added a third-round pick in return.
At 19, former Notre Dame inside linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah may still be on the board. Owusu, who is 6-1 and 215 pounds, finished the 2020 season with 55 tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
He’d fill a need for the Panthers at middle linebacker.
However, trading back that far lessens the Panthers’ chances at getting one of the top-tier players in this draft.
“When you look at the draft, there’s a certain player that stops about 16, 17 or 18,” Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said at his introductory press conference.
And the Panthers want one of those top-tier players as they try to build their franchise.
“We’re just trying to find the guys to the best of our ability that we think, if everything goes right, have a chance to be Pro Bowl players,” Rhule said Monday. “You go back and look at the first-round picks here, the last several years, we’ve had some really good first-round picks.”
This story was originally published April 14, 2021 at 10:43 AM.
