Panthers: Why Carolina must consider taking a QB in the 2021 NFL Draft

The Panthers should not expect another top 10 pick

The Panthers finished with a top 10 pick, but under their first-year head coach, Matt Rhule, the team came within one score in eight of their 10 losses. They landed a top pick this year, but Rhule’s coaching allowed the team to overachieve. This is important because projection is key for any team. When are Matt Rhule’s Panthers going to finish with another top 10 pick? If the Panthers continue to improve, it seems as if their current position is the best opportunity to nab a top-tier quarterback prospect.

At the eighth overall pick, Carolina is in a great position to give up minimal assets in a trade, comparatively. Moving from outside the top 10 into the top 10 is much more difficult than moving up in their current position. The team is also in a good position to take a good quarterback prospect if one slips to their position.

The Panthers also happen to have a top 10 pick in a good quarterback class. Even if they land another top 10 pick next year, who says that quarterback class will be as good as this one? The team is in a good position to grab a signal caller without reaching, and there is too much risk in expecting the 2022 quarterback class to replicate the quality of this class.

Matt Rhule’s coaching allowed the team to compete in games that seemed to be guaranteed losses for them. With a coach who allowed their team to overachieve, the Panthers should be aggressive in their current position.

Carolina needs to take advantage of their situation. If they do not, it seems likely that they will have a harder time finding a prospect for them to develop. Thus, the team must use its position to their advantage.