Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is expected to be the top pick in next year’s NFL draft. That’s hardly a guarantee, though. There’s still presumably a whole college season to be played before the draft and things can change, especially if someone like Ohio State’s Justin Fields has a standout season.
If that happens, it’s possible Lawrence could slip within the range of the Carolina Panthers. In a new 2021 mock draft by Brent Sobleski at Bleacher Report, that’s exactly what happens. He has Lawrence falling to the Panthers, who hold the No. 4 overall pick in this scenario. Here’s what he said.
“Trevor Lawrence’s availability to the Panthers would be a dream come true for the franchise. Lawrence may not be the type of prospect he’s billed to be, but he’s still a fantastic talent. At 6’6″ and 220 pounds with outstanding natural arm talent and athleticism, the preferred physical tools are present.”
It’s hard not to be excited about the potential of Lawrence being the team’s next starting QB. However, it won’t be quite so easy to move on from their current one, at least in 2021.
Sobleski notes that the team could save $8 million in cap room if they cut Teddy Bridgewater after June 1. However, that move would also come with a brutal $15 million dead cap hit, which is too much to stomach and would be awful management.
If the Panthers aren’t satisfied with what Bridgewater puts on tape in 2020, there’s a good chance they’ll draft a new QB. Cutting him probably won’t happen until 2022 no matter what happens, though. That year, the team can save $21 million in room with only a $5 million dead cap hit (post June 1).
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