It’s never too early to start thinking about the next NFL draft. Unless the Carolina Panthers 2020 draft class winds up being historically amazing right off the bat, odds are the team will be in line for another top 10 pick next year. Who might they pick in that scenario?
In a new way-too-early 2021 mock, Luke Easterling at Draft Wire has Carolina selecting Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr. at No. 6 overall.
Obviously, there’s a lot of time between now and then and we frankly don’t even know if there will be a college football season this year. However, Surtain (6-foot-2, 203 pounds) is supposed to be one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2021 class. So far, he has posted three interceptions, 15 pass breakups and four forced fumbles in 27 games for the Crimson Tide.
Whether or not the Panthers are looking for a cornerback that early will depend on how well 2018 second-round pick Donte Jackson does this year. Troy Pride Jr. projects as the new starter on the other side of the field and he deserves time to develop, but a decision will need to come on Jackson’s future much sooner. Remember, he was benched late last season after making repeated mistakes in coverage and questioning his coaches.
If Jackson doesn’t have a significant rebound year, Carolina’s secondary is likely to suffer a great deal and it could lead the front office to consider looking for a replacement. There’s no denying Jackson’s ball skills and athleticism, but there’s more to playing corner than that.
The Panthers haven’t had two reliable starters at cornerback since the 2015 season and they likely won’t compete for a championship again until that changes.
[lawrence-related id=622089]
[vertical-gallery id=621958]