Panthers 2021 mock draft: Scott Fitterer trades down in first round

On Thursday, the Carolina Panthers’ wide-ranging search for a new front office chief came to a fitting end. Scott Fitterer, a 20-year member of the Seattle Seahawks’ braintrust, was named the franchise’s latest general manager after agreeing to a five-year deal.

Fitterer, who began in Seattle as an area scout in 2001, has served as an integral part of one of the sport’s most successful franchises. His rise began in 2011, when he was promoted to director of college scouting, which would then be followed by bumps up to co-director of player personnel in 2015 and most recently, VP of football operations in 2020.

The first true test for Fitterer in his latest gig will come this spring, when he heads the war room for the first time in Carolina. If his time in Seattle is any indication, it will be a busy occasion. In our newest seven-round 2021 mock draft Fitterer makes two trades, including a move down in round one.

Round 1 (No. 12 overall): Gregory Rousseau, DL, Miami (FL)

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Trade: Panthers trade the No. 8 overall pick to the 49ers for the No. 12 and No. 44 overall picks The opening salvo of the Fitterer era (Fitter-era?) is a first-round trade-down, seemingly the only thing more common in Seattle than a Starbucks. Since Fitterer's promotion to director of college scouting in 2011, the Seahawks have traded down from a first-round spot eight times on draft day. So, being that the consensus top-four quarterbacks have been swiped clean within the prior seven selections of this scenario, we're moving down and accumulating more capital to fill out the roster. Our partner, the San Francisco 49ers, had no qualms in parting with their second-rounder to leap over the likes of Denver, Dallas and New York in sniping their shutdown cornerback of the future, Caleb Farley. With the No. 12 pick, we pick Gregory Rousseau, who possesses some of the most salivating upside in this class. The 20-year-old has the entire checklist marked up—having showcased his tools (speed, refined hand technique and strength) and production to back it up (15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for a loss in 2019) all while standing at an eye-opening 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds. Although Rousseau opted not to play in 2020, he gave us enough reason to believe he can carry over and continue to expand upon his dominant pressure at the pro level, whether it's coming off the edge or even from the interior. Hell, he already has a ringing endorsement from his mentor Calais Campbell, who serves a solid comparison for Rousseau given their versatility and size. Carolina may be wise to listen to Campbell, as they should be looking to amp up their pass-rushing arsenal given their struggles in closing up opposing pockets this past season. He'll fit nicely in what's shaping up to be a potent rotation alongside Derrick Brown, Yetur Gross-Matos and Brian Burns, who Rousseau told Draft Wire's Justin Melo is one of his favorite players to watch. While Rousseau would be the third first-round DL drafted by this franchise in as many years, you simply cannot have enough ammunition when it comes to your pass rush. Fitterer would know—as, in another notable trend, the Seahawks have used at least one of their first two picks on a defensive lineman in eight of the last nine drafts.

Round 2 (No. 40 overall): Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia

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Seattle sure loved their lengthy DBs during Fitterer's stint (See Boom, Legion of). So here's one to help Carolina rebuild their secondary. Campbell measures in at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds with a lanky frame and obvious athleticism to complement it. Even though he'll have to learn how to limit the types of big plays he sometimes allowed at Georgia, his impact on the Bulldogs' defense and wide set of physical tools is undeniable. While we could have perhaps stayed at No. 8 to take Farley or even sit back for Patrick Surtain II, Panthers czar Matt Rhule may not value cornerbacks that highly—evidenced by their propensity for playing zone defense and the franchise's decision not to pony up for James Bradberry last spring. Instead, we'll gladly settle for the smooth, agile and potentially dynamic Campbell, whose skills should translate right away into those zone looks.

Round 2 (No. 44 overall): Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame

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Pick acquired via trade with 49ers The left tackle position in Carolina has been one of the most uncertain spots in all of football. Since 2014, each of the following men have accumulated at least one start on the blindside: Byron Bell, David Foucault, Michael Oher, Mike Remmers, Matt Kalil, Chris Clark, Marshall Newhouse, Daryl Williams, Taylor Moton, Greg Little, Dennis Daley, Russell Okung, Trent Scott and Michael Schofield. How about we sure that spot up with one of the surest players in college football? Eichenberg, another promising offensive line prospect being churned out of Notre Dame, was as reliable as they come in his time at South Bend. The 2020 Consensus All-American allowed just three sacks in his three years as a starter, holding it down at left tackle with a 6-foot-6, 305-pound frame. While he doesn't necessarily stand out for his athleticism, his ability to generate power and his awareness headline a handful of positive attributes that'll help Eichenberg thrive in the NFL.

Round 3 (No. 72 overall): Jamie Newman, QB, Georgia

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After seeing the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance all gone before we hit on the clock in the first round, we have to take a shot, right? Let's try with Newman, who fits the mold of what many teams are now hoping to roster under center in today's NFL. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, he's a tank of a dual threat, having flashed his potency both through the air and on the ground at Wake Forest before transferring to Georgia. Newman's physical gifts make him one of the most intriguing prospects at the position. He can impress with his deep ball, can run past and through defenders and has also shown some good ball placement despite knocks on his accuracy. His less-than-ideal mechanics, inconsistent play and on-field absence in 2020, however, have him now well below the upper echelon of his peers despite the first-round hype he had previously garnered. That's why he's here for the taking. Given Carolina's situation, Newman could be a rewarding project they can sit behind Teddy Bridgewater for a bit then roll out at some point in 2021. This is certainly a gamble, but you have to keep trying until you find your franchise quarterback. Here's to hoping this third-round roll of the dice is closer to the one the Seahawks made on Russell Wilson in 2012 than to the one the Panthers made on Will Grier in 2019.

Round 3 (No. 92 overall): Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami (FL)

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Trade: Panthers trade the No. 109 and No. 149 overall picks to the Packers for the No. 92 overall pick Fitterer and the Seahawks were certainly no strangers to trading up either. Here, we'll use our fourth and fifth-round picks to get back into the end of the third. With that move comes the selection of Jordan, a budding tight end who can do it all. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder is a legitimate receiving threat, lining up and succeeding in a multitude of looks in his three years in Miami. Jordan is perhaps most dangerous with the ball in his hands, having led all of the nation's tight ends in yards after the catch (353) this season. (Kyle Pitts, the draft's undisputed top player at the position, was the next closest to Jordan's YAC output at a distant 260 yards.) While Jordan can improve on technique, he is an engaging and effective blocker. As current starter Ian Thomas is still looking to break out for the Panthers, adding in an athlete of Jordan's size and caliber to the mix certainly wouldn't hurt.

Round 6 (No. 188 overall) Deonte Brown, G, Alabama

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The left tackle position isn't the only spot on Carolina's offensive front that can use an upgrade. Brown (6-foot-4 and 340 pounds) could help fortify their weak interior right away. He's a prototypical mauler in the run game, having regularly used his strength and stout frame to bully defenders in his four years at Alabama. Brown started at left guard for the national champions in each of their 13 games.

Round 6 - No. 215 overall: Palaie Gaoteote IV, LB, USC

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Gaoteote (6-foot-2, 249 pounds) is a solid athlete at linebacker, standing out most when his speed and quickness came into play. At the very least the former five-star recruit is a useful body that can serve on special teams from the start and perhaps develop into a player on defense with his range and tackling ability. [vertical-gallery id=632869]