7 takeaways from the Carolina Panthers’ pre-2021 NFL draft press conference
Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer and head coach Matt Rhule just held their pre-2021 NFL draft press conference.
Here are seven takeaways from their conversation with the media.
155 prospects on the board
Fitterer says that the team began the evaluation process with several thousand prospects on their 2021 draft board. With less than a week to go, that number has been narrowed down to 155. https://twitter.com/agetzenberg/status/1385617699775070218 In case you're wondering, there are 259 picks in the draft this year total.
Fit before everything
As to when those 155 prospects will get picked, Fitterer says they don't care where they are projected to get drafted. What matters is how they fit with the Panthers. https://twitter.com/DNewtonespn/status/1385617802883698689 Hopefully that's not an excuse to reach for a guard.
Yes, there is a QB who fits
As for the most important position in the game, the Panthers admitted that their is a quarterback they feel fits the team. Naturally, Fitterer and Rhule were in no mood to divulge who it might be. https://twitter.com/agetzenberg/status/1385618222079152129 Our best educated guess is that Justin Fields of Ohio State is their guy. However, it seems unlikely he will fall to No. 8.
16 first-round grades
While he struggled with other areas of the job, former GM Marty Hurney did have a lot of success with his first-round picks. For what it's worth, Fitterer says that they have 16 prospects with first-round grades going in. https://twitter.com/josephperson/status/1385622927224225799 That's an interesting number considering the latest draft rumors...
Trade-back talks with at least five teams
The most-recent buzz about Carolina going into the draft involves a potential trade down from the No. 8 overall spot. Fitterer didn't hide the fact that the Panthers are open to moving down and said that they have had trade-down talks with at least five teams. https://twitter.com/jonmalexander/status/1385618802008895496 For what it's worth, the Patriots pick at No. 15 and are one of several teams that are expected to try to move up.
The deepest positions in the draft
Asked which positions are the strongest in this draft class, Fitterer said the list includes press corner, offensive tackle and wide receiver - as it happens, those are all positions of need. https://twitter.com/josephperson/status/1385619419238383617 The Panthers should also look to add some more help at tight end, running back, defensive tackle, slot and free safety.
What about Sam Darnold's fifth-year option?
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After trading three picks to the Jets for Sam Darnold, it seems unlikely they'll draft another QB. Either way, Fitterer says what they do won't have an impact on whether or not they pick up Darnold's fifth-year option. https://twitter.com/agetzenberg/status/1385621245237108737 May 3 is the deadline this year for teams to decide whether or not to pick up options for 2022. [vertical-gallery id=635518]
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