Prime Cuts with Norris

(Too Early) 4 Man Mocks – Norris

4 Man Mocks, Prime Cuts with Norris

By: Norris Thornburg

There’s still four weeks left in the season, but the Panthers’ chances of making a playoff run are pretty much over. So, what do we do when the season is over? Mock drafts. Mock drafts as far as the eyes can see. After all, the only thing we have to look forward to now is the offseason.

This is the first of many mocks that The 4 Man Rush will do over the next few months. Keep in mind that this is far too early to be an accurate mock. Rankings will change, some players will stay for their senior year and players will rise and fall after the Combine.

NFLMockDraftDatabase.com is the site used for this particular mock draft. If I had to guess, Carolina will probably be in the top six by the end of the season. They’re currently projected to pick eighth, so that’s where we will be drafting here. Granted, I’m betting Fitterer will be trading back some to recover some day two picks that were lost to trades this year. With all that said, let’s get started, shall we?

ROUND ONE

PICK 8

*TRADE*
Carolina trades pick 8 and a 2023 3rd rounder to Minnesota for picks 12, 43 and 183.

PICK 12

*TRADE*
Carolina trades picks 12 and 149 to Pittsburgh for picks 15 and 79

PICK 15

IKEM EKWONU NC STATE

OT 6’4 320 lbs

The way to fix one of the biggest issues that Carolina has, is to draft a dominant left tackle in the first round. Ekwonu fits the bill. He’s everything that an NFL team looks for in a left tackle and would be a day one starter. Ekwonu is one of the most powerful linemen in this draft and creates movement upfront in the run game. He has good length and lateral mobility and is really good in pass protection. Ekwonu is extremely competitive and has a high football IQ. This would be the smart pick here.

ROUND TWO

*TRADE* (insert DJ Khaled “Another One” gif here)
Carolina trades pick 43 to Denver for picks 56 and 88

PICK 56

THAYER MUNFORD OHIO STATE

OG 6’6 325 lbs

I know Matt Rhule think Christensen is more of a guard and they also have Deonte Brown waiting in the wings. However, Munford was just too good to pass up here. Like Ekwonu, Munford would be an immediate starter. He was a four star recruit coming out of high school. Munford is powerful, agile and has all the things that NFL teams look for in a guard. Guard is another position that has been a question mark this year. Solidifying one of the guard spots is a must in this draft.

ROUND 3

PICK 79

ALEC LINDSTROM BOSTON COLLEGE

OC 6’3 298 lbs

Matt Paradis has likely played his last game with Carolina, as his contract expires this offseason. He is 32 years old and has struggled some over the last couple years, so it’s not likely that Carolina re-signs him. Enter Alec Lindstrom. He may have to sit behind Elflein for one season, but he’s a future starter at center. Lindstrom has notable strength with a finisher’s mentality. He comes from a football pedigree, as his father was a Hall of Fame lineman at Boston University and his brother plays for the Atlanta Falcons. Lindstrom was the best pick here and will help solidify the offensive line.

PICK 88

CHAD MUMA WYOMING

LB 6’3 242 lbs

It’s no secret that Jermaine Carter has been a mixed bag at middle linebacker this year. Muma would likely come in and be a starter on day one on this defense. He is really good in the run game due to his instincts. Muma doesn’t miss tackles and is really good in the open field. He’s good in coverage and can keep up with running backs. He has good awareness and soft hands. A true three-down linebacker. This kid will be difference maker on any defense. In his senior year at Wyoming, Muma amassed 129 tackles (7.5 for a loss), 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery and 2 defensive touchdowns. He was also a finalist for the Dick Butkus award and named an All-American.

*TRADE*
Arizona trades pick 96 to Carolina for picks 104 and 183

PICK 96

ISAIAH LIKELY COASTAL CAROLINA

TE 6’4 240 lbs

This pick isn’t to take Tommy Tremble out of the equation. It’s to give our quarterback another weapon. Likely is a force at the tight end position. He’s physical, athletic and is a mismatch nightmare for defenders. Likely can stretch the field and make big plays consistently. Has the speed to get away from linebackers and has a good catch radius. He would be a valuable piece in an offense that needs all the help they can get.

ROUND 4

NO PICKS DUE TO TRADE

ROUND 5

PICK 143

CHRISTIAN WATSON NORTH DAKOTA STATE

WR 6’4 208 lbs

Carolina gets a Watson in the offseason, just not the one that fans want. Watson is an explosive deep threat and red zone target, which is something that Carolina needs badly. Consistently hit 22 miles per hour on his routes during his 2019 campaign. Last season, Watson had 39 catches for 739 yards (18.9 yards per catch) and 7 touchdowns. He also ran the ball 13 times for 120 yards and a touchdown. This would be an underrated pick for Carolina in the fifth round.

ROUND 6

PICK 188

QUENTIN LAKE UCLA

S 6’1 205 lbs

This late in the draft, the team is just looking for depth. Lake has the NFL pedigree in his blood. His father is Carnell Lake, former NFL Pro Bowl Safety and member of the 1990’s All-Decade team. Last season, Lake amassed 53 tackles (2 for loss), 6 passes defensed and 3 interceptions. Lake will make contributions on special teams in 2022.

ROUND 7

PICK 246

JUSTIN SHAFFER GEORGIA

OG 6’4 330 lbs

Every team needs backup offensive linemen. So, why not get a guard from one of the best college programs? Shaffer is a strong blocker with violent hands that will open running lanes. He could be a diamond in the rough with proper coaching.

It remains to be seen what Scott Fitterer will do in the upcoming draft, but it’s safe to say he will do some wheeling and dealing. Some people might ask why there was no quarterback selected early. Well, the Panthers need to build this offense from the inside out. You don’t want to put a rookie quarterback behind Carolina’s current offensive line. Not to mention, Kenny Pickett and Matt Coral will likely be gone for Carolina picks. Would you be satisfied with this draft? Let us know!

Norris’ 4 Man Mock Draft

4 Man Mocks, NFL Draft, Prime Cuts with Norris

By: Norris Thornburg

It’s almost here! We are less than a week away from the 2021 NFL Draft! The rumors and speculation will end and fans will see who the long-awaited picks will be. Will Carolina take Fields if he drops? Do they take Patrick Surtain Jr. to solidify the secondary? Will they trade picks? We will find out on Thursday!

It wouldn’t be draft season without a 4 Man Mock Draft write-up. This mock draft is a combination of several mocks I’ve done on a couple different mock draft engines. Anyone that knows me personally would tell you that I’m somewhat addicted to mock drafts, so there’s definitely been a ton of research put into this. Without further ado, let’s dive into the draft.

ROUND ONE

PICK 8

OT Penei Sewell – Oregon

I’m sure many are wondering what happened for Sewell to fall to eight.

1. Jags – Lawrence

2. Jets – Wilson

3. 49ers – Lance (or Jones)

4. Falcons – Pitts

5. Bengals – Chase

6. Dolphins – Smith

7. *Broncos – Fields

*Detroit was always the wild card in this scenario with the seventh pick. No one knew if they were going to take a receiver or a tackle. In this scenario they trade to nine with Denver and the Broncos take Justin Fields.

Sewell has been considered a generational talent at left tackle, even after opting out of the 2020 season. He’s quick off the line, has excellent hand placement on every play and has a very high football IQ. Sewell plays with good balance, has good pass protection and is a mauler in the run game. He’s one of the most competitive players in this draft and would anchor the left side for ten years, which is something Carolina hasn’t had since Jordan Gross retired.

Sewell isn’t the consensus number one tackle in this class, as it has been widely reported by several media outlets that a lot of teams have Slater at the top. I’m not sure Carolina is one of those teams but they could be. However, taking Sewell would give them position flexibility as well. Sewell can move to guard later in his career if needed, which sounds like something Matt Rhule may covet. Sewell’s Relative Athletic Score was 9.08 (out of a possible 10), which is considered ELITE. One thing is for sure….Getting a generational left tackle at eight is something every fan should get behind.

ROUND TWO

PICK 39

CB Eric Stokes – Georgia

There’s no denying that Carolina needs another starting corner in their secondary and Stokes would be a great fit. He has the length that teams covet at corner. Stokes is good in man coverage and he’s even better in zone coverage. He’s a willing tackler that will get the job done, even against the run. Stokes is a very smart player that never gets lost on the field. He wowed scouts at his pro day when he ran a 4.25 40 yard dash, so he has the speed that the team wants. His Relative Athletic Score was 9.99 (out of a possible 10), so he’s definitely the type of athlete Matt Rhule likes. This would be the perfect player to get in the second round that will make an immediate impact.

ROUND THREE

PICK 73

C Josh Meyers – Ohio State

Carolina goes back to the offensive line and drafts the Ohio State center. Matt Paradis has one more year on his contract and will turn 32 years old in October, so Carolina could get his replacement at pick 73. Meyers has good anchor, solid hand placement and has good lateral mobility. Playing Meyers at guard could work if it’s just for a year, which is what they’ll likely do here.

**TRADE**

*Panthers trade pick 113 and a 2023 third rounder to the Cleveland Browns for pick 89.*

ROUND THREE

PICK 89

G Trey Smith – Tennessee

Carolina continues to build the offensive line. Smith is one of best guards in this draft, but has slid a bit due to health concerns. Carolina decided he was worth trading up for so they could solidify the line. Smith is really good in pass sets and he mauls players in the run game. He’s powerful at the point of attack and always has good hand placement. Smith understands all blocking concepts and has a high football IQ. He has position flexibility, as he’s played left tackle at the college level. Smith’s Relative Athletic Score was 9.8, which is ELITE. His measurables and metrics make Smith one of the best players in the draft. Bringing Smith in the play right guard will make Fitterer look like a genius and it will solidify the right guard spot for years to come.

ROUND FIVE

PICK 151

S Caden Sterns – Texas

The Panthers could use a safety that has good upside to start in the near future. Enter Caden Sterns. Sterns has played multiple positions in the secondary and be understands the assignments of each. He’s a hard-hitting safety that won’t be a liability in the run game. Sterns is fairly opportunistic in regards to takeaways and should get his fair share at the next level. His Relative Athletic Score is 9.6,  which is considered elite. His 4.41 40 yard dash time, 2.47 20 yard split, 1.5 10 yard split, 4.13 shuttle and 42 inch vertical had something to do with that. He could be the starting free safety this year and also has high upside on special teams.

ROUND SIX

PICK 193

CB Avery Williams – Boise State

The Panthers came into this draft needing a return specialist and a corner or two. Williams would fill both needs at once. He ran a 4.43 40 yard dash and ran a 2.57 on the 20 yard split. He’s only 5’8, so he will probably only be at corner for sub-packages but he holds tremendous value as a returner. He had nine return touchdowns in his college career (three kickoff, six punt). As a corner, he has sufficient ball skills, does well in zone coverage and understands situational football. Williams anticipates routes and is a willing tackler against the run. His RAS is 7.76, but that’s because his measurements brought his score down significantly. Carolina has met with his during the pre-draft process, so there is interest. Getting a day one contributor on special teams would be a win for Carolina this late in the draft.

ROUND SIX

PICK 222

WR Jacob Harris – University of Central Florida

It’s no secret that Carolina struggled in the red zone last year. Taking a 6’5 receiver with a 40.5″ vertical jump would help take care of that issue. Harris would also come to the Panthers with terrific speed for his size. He ran a 4.39 40 yard dash at his pro day (Carolina brass was in attendance), which raised a lot of eyebrows. So much so, that Carolina held a Zoom call with Harris recently. Harris is also really explosive, as he posted an 11′ 1″ broad jump at his pro day. On his RAS he posted a 9.96, which is considered ELITE. His pro day numbers and measurements were outstanding. He’s a little raw, but the potential to break out is there. Harris would be a solid pick here and would contribute fairly early with his skill set. Edit: It’s worth noting that Harris can play tight end as well.


This would be a significant haul for a Carolina team looking to fill the roster with athletes who will contribute. Some names you’ve seen before and some names you’re seeing for the first time. Getting a left tackle, corner, center, guard, safety, returner and a dynamic receiver/tight end would be best case scenario. Let me know what you think, Panther fans!

What Could Carolina Do in Round One of the Draft?

NFL Draft, Prime Cuts with Norris

By: Norris Thornburg

Prior to a couple of weeks ago, it was almost a foregone conclusion that Carolina would take a quarterback in this year’s draft. Then on a Monday in early April, the Panthers traded for the Jets’ starting quarterback Sam Darnold. Darnold has the potential to be a solid starting quarterback for the Panthers and he’s only 23 years old.

There are also question marks at left tackle, corner, guard, defensive tackle and even safety for the Panthers. Carolina’s had a very good offseason and filled the holes, but they could still upgrade these positions if a player presents themselves in the draft. Let’s have a refresher of these acquisitions:

LT Cam Erving
G/C Pat Elflein
TE Dan Arnold
WR David Moore
LB Denzel Perryman
EDGE Haason Reddick
DL Morgan Fox
LB Frankie Luvu
CB Rashaan Melvin
CB AJ Bouye
RB Darius Clark
QB Sam Darnold
DT DaQuan Jones

That’s a pretty good offseason for a team that had a lot of missing pieces. They’ll look to upgrade left tackle, corner, guard and maybe defensive tackle in this draft. Carolina picks at number 8 in a very important draft and there are a lot of good players from which to choose. So, what are the options Carolina could have in the first round?

LT Penei Sewell

This would be the perfect scenario for Carolina. Sewell has been mocked all over the top eight in the draft, so it’s uncertain whether he will be there for Carolina to pick. If he is, Fitterer needs to run to the podium himself and announce the pick. Sewell is considered a generational talent at left tackle, a position that has been a turnstile since Jordan Gross retired. Sewell has a very high football IQ and plays with outstanding power at the point of attack. He has good hand strength and can move defensive players effortlessly. Sewell would be a home run pick for Carolina.

CB Patrick Surtain Jr

If Sewell isn’t there at eight, the Panthers should look to solidify another position of need. Carolina has struggled in coverage since the departure of James Bradberry, so they need another shut-down corner in the near future. Surtain has football in his blood, as he is the son of three-time Pro Bowler Patrick Surtain Sr. He’s the best corner in the draft and would make Thieves Ave. relevant again. This could be the route they go, as left tackle is really deep this year. Getting Surtain in the first and a dominant left tackle in the second round would be a win.

LT Rashawn Slater

While Surtain would be a stud, Carolina could still elect to snag a left tackle in the first instead. Slater should be there and would be a solid pick for the Panthers. Some scouts are worried about Slater’s arm length (33″) and think he should move inside to guard. However, he will be able to play left tackle at a high level. The standard for arm size for left tackles is 34 inches or longer, but you don’t have to look far to find tackles that have had success with shorter arms. Carolina’s own Jordan Gross measured in at 33 1/4 inches and had a long and dominating career at left tackle. Slater is powerful, agile and smart. In 2019, he held his own against Chase Young, who was the second overall pick in 2020 and also rookie of the year. There isn’t much of a drop off between Sewell and Slater and he should be a Pro Bowl left tackle for a long time. Side note: There are whispers that Carolina may like Slater more than Sewell.

TE Kyle Pitts

Carolina could elect to get the best all-around player in the draft at pick eight. There’s no denying that Pitts would make this offense even more dynamic and give Sam Darnold another weapon. Rhule and Fitterer really like Pitts (I mean, who doesn’t?) and could draft him and get a left tackle later in this deep draft. While Pitts is listed as a tight end, he can line up as a receiver too. He has elite hands and has mastered the ability to grab any pass thrown his way, even if the ball is poorly thrown. Pitts can get yards after the catch similar to DJ Moore, he has a high football IQ and is just an all-around good guy. Like Sewell, Pitts is considered a generational talent and would be one of the faces of the franchise for years. Which is why it’s very doubtful that Pitts is there at eight. But if he is….

QB Justin Fields

One of the main takeaways from free agency is that Fitterer filled the roster with solid pieces at every position of need. Carolina can go into this draft with the ability to take the best player available, regardless of position. That could very well be Ohio State phenom Justin Fields. Fields could go anywhere between pick 3 and pick 15, depending on who you ask. There’s no doubt Fields would be the quarterback of the future, even with the Sam Darnold trade. There is some intrigue for Carolina, as there should be. Getting Fields could get Carolina the quarterback of the future, and they could still build the offensive line on day two.

WR Jaylen Waddle

Even with the loss of Curtis Samuel, wide receiver isn’t really a need for the Panthers. With that being said, Carolina could elect to take Jaylen Waddle, who is probably the most balanced and talented receiver in this draft. Waddle can play any receiver position on the field. He has the ability to gain separation quickly and has soft hands to catch anything thrown his way. The only reason Waddle may fall to pick eight is because of his injury last season, which shouldn’t be an issue any longer. Getting another weapon for Darnold could elevate this offense to another level, as long as they’re able to solidify the offensive line with some of the next six picks. Side note: Robby Anderson is going into his last year under contract and DJ Moore only has two more years, provided the Panthers pick up his 5th year option. Taking a wide receiver is a very real possibility, depending on who’s there at eight.

Trade-back

With new general manager Scott Fitterer at the helm, the team will be in every deal and will have every option available to them. Trading back in the draft and gaining more draft capital is something that is absolutely on the table for Carolina. If player they love isn’t there at eight, Fitterer could elect to trade back a few picks and gain extra picks, depending on what is offered. If Carolina was offered an additional second or third round pick to move back 5-8 spots, it would probably be hard for Fitterer to say no. Especially given the fact he came from Seattle, who traded back quite a bit.

In recent years, it’s been fairly easy to pinpoint who Carolina was going to take in the draft. This year it’s a little harder, as there’s a new general manager and there’s a lot of good players in the first round. Also, there’s been little information about players that have met with the Panthers virtually. The Carolina staff did benefit from coaching in the Senior Bowl, so that helped the scouting process immensely. No matter what the Panthers decide to do in this draft, they’re going to get a great player in the first round. With any luck, they’ll knock this draft out of the park, just like they did last year. It certainly helps to have all of these options at their disposal.

2021 College Prospect Visit List

College Prospect Visits, NFL Draft, Prime Cuts with Norris


It’s Scott Fitterer season! The Panthers have a new general manager and he has already injected some excitement into the fan base. He’s making a lot of cap room right now by releasing veterans with high cap hits. It seems as though the Panthers have a general manager that knows what he’s doing. Gone are the days of conservative spending. Fitterer is a self-proclaimed aggressive general manager and he’s ready to build a winner. Free agency starts on March 18th, but the draft is where you build your team.

Here is a list of college prospects with whom we’ve met. With help from the  @4ourmanrush crew, we find any and all reported college prospect visits by our Carolina Panthers. We will add more as we get more info. At the bottom of the page, I will post the local visits and the 30 private visits. Teams are allowed 30 private visits.Local visit means that we have met with a player that either goes to school locally or they were born locally. Local visits are not counted against the 30 private visits.

Due to COVID-19, all private visits have been canceled. Teams can only time, test and interview draftable players at their pro-days and the All-Star game. Teams will not be allowed to have more than 3 representatives at any pro-day. Carolina (and Miami) had the upper hand this year since they were able to coach the Shrine Bowl. Teams will be allowed to have video conferences with players of interest. Teams will meet with most of the draftable players since Zoom calls don’t require travel and don’t take long. I will update the list with the specific players as the information comes in, so check back often! Enjoy!! #KeepPounding #4MR #WhatARush

**If the name is blue, it means there’s a Draft Network or 4 Man Rush draft profiles linked to the player, if available. Click on the link to learn about the players**

QUARTERBACKS

• Mac Jones – Alabama

6’3  214 lb

• Jamie Newman – Georgia

6’4  230 lbs

• Kellen Mond – Texas A&M

6’3  217 lbs

• Trevor Lawrence – Clemson

6’6  220 lbs

• Justin Fields – Ohio St.

6’3  230 lbs

RUNNING BACKS

• Jaret Patterson – Buffalo

5’9  195 lbs

• Larry Rountree III – Missouri

5’10  210 lbs

• Kylin Hill – Mississippi St

5’11  210 lbs

• Chris Evans – Michigan

5’11  216 lbs

• Elijah Mitchell – Louisiana

5’11  218 lbs

Trey Sermon – Ohio St.

6’0  213 lbs

WIDE RECEIVERS

• Austin Watkins Jr. – UAB

6’2  207 lbs

• Racey McMath – LSU

6’3  224 lbs

• Shi Smith – South Carolina

5’10  186 lbs

• Marquez Stevenson – Houston

5’10  182 lbs

• Josh Palmer – Tennessee

6’2  209 lbs

• Cornell Powell – Clemson

6’0  210 lbs

• Amari Rodgers – Clemson

5’10  210 lbs

• Kadarius Toney – Florida

5’11  189 lbs

• Trevon Grimes – Florida

6’4  217 lbs

• Michael Strachan – Charleston

6’5  225 lbs

• Frank Darby – Arizona St.

6’0  194 lbs

TIGHT ENDS

• Tre McKitty – Georgia

6’4  247 lbs

• Kylen Granson – SMU

6’3  236 lbs

• Noah Gray – Duke

6’3  240 lbs

• Quintin Morris – Bowling Green

6’4  251 lbs

• Kyle Pitts – Florida

6’5  239 lbs

• Jacob Harris – University of Central Florida

6’0  219 lbs

OFFENSIVE TACKLES

• Alex Leatherwood – Alabama

6’5  312 lbs

• Dan Moore Jr. – Texas A&M

6’5  309 lbs

• Alaric Jackson – Iowa

6’5  318 lbs

• Jaylon Moore – Western Michigan

6’5  315 lbs

GUARDS

• Ben Cleveland – Georgia

6’6  354 lbs

• Trey Smith – Tennessee

6’6  330 lbs

• Deonte Brown – Alabama

6’3  364 lbs

• David Moore – Grambling St

6’3  320 lbs

• Robert Jones – Middle Tennessee St

6’5  295 lbs

• Jack Anderson – Texas Tech

6’5  309 lbs

CENTERS

• Drake Jackson – Kentucky

6’2  290 lbs

• Quinn Meinerz – Wisconsin-Whitewater

6’3  320 lbs

DEFENSIVE ENDS

• Wyatt Hubert – Kansas State

6’3  270 lbs

• Janarius Robinson – Florida State

6’5  266 lbs

• Quincy Roche – Miami (FL)

6’3  243 lbs

• William Bradley-King – Baylor

6’4  248 lbs

• Malik Herring – Georgia

6’5  245 lbs

• Carlos Basham Jr. – Wake Forest

6’3  281 lbs

• Cameron Sample – Tulane

6’3  280 lbs

• Chauncey Golston – Iowa

6’5  235 lbs

• Payton Turner – Houston

6’5  270 lbs

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

• Marvin Wilson – Florida State

6’3  319 lbs

• Marlon Tuipulotu – USC

6’3  305 lbs

LINEBACKERS

• KJ Britt – Auburn

6’0  243 lbs

• Jabril Cox – LSU

6’3  233 lbs

• Monty Rice – Georgia

6’0  238 lbs

• Paddy Fisher – Northwestern

6’3  239 lbs

• Charles Snowden – Virginia

6’6  232 lbs

• Grant Stuard – Houston

6’1  225 lbs

• Jordan Smith – UAB

6’6  255 lbs

• Riley Cole – South Alabama

6’3  225 lbs

CORNERS

• DJ Daniel – Georgia

5’11  183 lbs

• Mark Webb – Georgia

6’1  200 lbs

• Robert Rochell – Central Arkansas

6’0  195 lbs

• Aaron Robinson – Central Florida

5’11  190 lbs

• Bryan Mills – NC Central

6’2  170 lbs

• Ifeatu Melifonwu – Syracuse

6’2  212 lbs

• Deommodore Lenoir – Oregon

5’11  202 lbs

• Darren Hall – San Diego St.

5’11  189 lbs

• Avery Williams – Boise St.

5’9  195 lbs

• Asante Samuel Jr. – Florida St.

5’10  184 lbs

• Patrick Surtain Jr. – Alabama

6’2  202 lbs

SAFETIES

• Richie Grant – Central Florida

6’0  194 lbs

• Hamsah Nasirildeen – Florida St

6’3  213 lbs

• Shawn Davis – Florida

5’10  199 lbs

• JaCoby Stevens – LSU

6’1  216 lbs

• Joshua Bledsoe – Missouri

5’11  201 lbs

• Tyree Gillespie – Missouri

6’0  210 lbs

• Trevon Moehrig – TCU

6’1  208 lbs

KICKERS

• Evan McPherson – Florida

5’11  185 lbs

PUNTERS

 

4 Man Fix: Building a Winner For 2021

NFL Draft, Prime Cuts with Norris


By: 4MR Norris Thornburg

The disappointing 2020 season has ended and there’s a new General Manager in town. Free agency starts in a little over a month and fans are getting more excited about the aggressive approach of GM Scott Fitterer. Fitterer stated that he will be in the mix for all trade offers and free agent signings to build this roster into a winner. Needless to say, this Carolina Panthers roster will look a lot different in 2021. 

Even though COVID took fans out of the stands and lowered the overall league salary cap, there are still a few things that Carolina can do to improve the team. Some of these moves aren’t going to be flashy, but they need to be done to help push this team over the hump. Carolina being 5-11 and losing eight of those games by a score or less, isn’t going to cut it anymore for owner David Tepper. So what can Carolina do to improve their situation? 

RE-SIGN TAYLOR MOTON

Taylor Moton was the most consistent player on the offensive line this year. He’s slated to be a free agent when the new league year starts on March 17th, but Carolina can’t let him walk. According to Spotrac, Moton’s market value is $14.7 million per year. That sounds like a lot, but Fitterer can backload the contract or use incentives to make this a cap-friendly deal. If Carolina can’t get a deal done, they can Franchise Tag him but it won’t save any money, as the tag value is estimated at $14.5 million for offensive linemen. Either way, Moton can’t be allowed to walk. 

MAKE NECESSARY CUTS

This step is probably stating the obvious, but needs to be said. There are some players that could be cap casualties based on the lack of space the team currently has. According to Spotrac, the Panthers are projected to have $17,863,434 in salary cap space for this offseason. That’s not nearly enough to make any moves to improve the team. Especially if Moton gets tagged for $14.5 million. Here are some players that Carolina could cut to make room:

STEPHEN WEATHERLY

To say Weatherly was a disappointment would be an understatement. After signing a two-year contract for $12.5 million, Weatherly only played in nine games and had 17 tackles on the season. Weatherly should be the first player cut, as that would create $5.9 million in cap space. 

JUSTON BURRIS

Burris didn’t play bad, but the emergence of rookie Sam Franklin, who played really well as an undrafted rookie free agent, could make Burris expendable. Cutting Burris would save the Panthers around $3.8 million in cap space. 

KAWANN SHORT

This one may sting a little to Panthers fans. Short is a fan favorite and an all-around nice guy. The issue is, he’s only played five games in the last two seasons. The emergence of Zach Kerr opposite Derrick Brown makes this cut a little easier. As does the fact that cutting him saves the Panthers a whopping $13.2 million in cap space as a post-June 1st cut. If Carolina designates Short as a post-June 1st cut, they could still sign players and go over the cap and then they’ll get that $13 million on June 2nd. 

With these three cuts, the Panthers would save a total of $22.9 million and it would bring their total cap space to a little over $40.7 million. That is more than enough to sign key free agents at positions of need. The only drawback to these cuts are, it would create almost $9.4 million in dead money. The Panthers already have $9.1 million in dead money, so that would bring the total to $18.5 million. All of which should fall off in the 2022 offseason. Which is fine, because the league should have increased revenue in 2021 and the salary cap should go back to normal. So this could mean a large cap number next offseason. 

SIGN KEY FREE AGENTS

Every successful team has a smattering of key free agents that help the overall success. Now that the team has $40 million in cap space (in this scenario), they can sign a couple key players in positions of need. If Carolina tags Moton, they would still have around $26 million in space. If they sign him long-term, they could make the contract back heavy to help with space this year. Here are some players that the aggressive GM Scott Fitterer could target: 

JONNU SMITH

It’s no secret that the Panthers lack a true difference-maker at the tight end position. Smith is likely the top free agent at his position this year. He had 41 catches for 448 yards and 9 total touchdowns (1 rushing) in 2020. He’s basically a receiver playing tight end and a true red zone threat. Smith is also a very capable blocker. If Carolina signed him, fans should be ecstatic. 

HUNTER HENRY

Another tight end who would be a significant improvement. Henry had 60 catches for 613 yards and 4 touchdowns in 14 games. His injury history could make teams a little weary, but he’s still a stud at tight end. Henry might not make it to free agency though, as the Chargers want to keep as many weapons as possible for Justin Herbert. 

GERALD EVERETT

Everett is an athletic tight end with plenty of upside. If the Panthers miss on Smith and Henry, Everett would be a nice consolation prize. In 2020, he had 41 catches for 417 yards and a touchdown. He’s not a red zone threat like the first two players mentioned, but he’d still be an instant upgrade to Thomas. 

JAQUISKI TARTT

Yes, the team just released Burris to make cap room (in this scenario), but Tartt is a difference-maker on the back end. If Carolina wants more experience at strong safety, Tartt could be a target. He has good coverage skills in the middle of the field and is an aggressive tackler. 

CHIDOBE AWUZIE

The Panthers are in desperate need of an outside corner and there are a couple worth a look in free agency. Awuzie is young, has good speed and coverage skills. The injury bug bit him last year, so his contract may be fairly cap-friendly. 

PATRICK PETERSON

An obvious fan-favorite to land in Carolina, Peterson has done fairly well over the years. He was invited to eight straight Pro Bowls in his first eight seasons. He’s on the wrong side of 30 and has lost a step, but he’s still a premier corner in this league. He would bring a much needed veteran leadership to the defensive back room and fill a position likely vacated if Carolina doesn’t re-sign Rasul Douglas. 

JASON VERRETT

Verrett is also a name to watch if Carolina decides to fill the corner spot in free agency. The former first round pick has had a solid career and had a really good 2020 campaign. He will be 30 in June, but he hasn’t shown that he’s lost a step. Interesting note: Carolina held Verrett’s only private workout prior to the 2014 draft. 

WILLIAM JACKSON III

This would be an under-the-radar signing for the Panthers and would fill a need. In Cincinnati, Jackson had a decent season. He earned a 71.4 grade on Pro Football Focus and graded out well in coverage. The Panthers could also get him on a fairly team-friendly deal. 

IDENTIFY AND SECURE YOUR QUARTERBACK

Quarterback is the most important position on the team and it looks as though Carolina is in the market to find a new one. If this is the case, Carolina should identify their guy and try to get him. Deshaun Watson is definitely a target for Carolina, but the compensation would likely exceed what they’re willing to spend. 

Carolina made a move to get Matthew Stafford but Detroit decided to take the offer given by LA. Scott Fitterer said he is going to be in on every player and it seems as though he will be aggressive in doing so. That said, here are some options that the Panthers have at quarterback:

DESHAUN WATSON

While the compensation might be too much as stated above, Carolina is prepared to throw draft picks at Houston like they’re Oprah. There’s no doubt that Watson would turn Carolina’s offense into a winner if they win the bidding war for him. Watson led the league in passing despite having no weapons on a terrible team. He is a franchise quarterback and those don’t become available often. So if that’s who they want, they’ll find a way. Of course, it also comes down to where Watson wants to go due to his no-trade clause. 

RUSSELL WILSON

This week, Wilson and his camp basically announced that they’re tired of the team not placing enough emphasis on the offensive line. Now, it looks like they’re heading for a full-fledged divorce. A trade for Wilson seems even more unlikely than a Watson trade. Even though Carolina has a familiar face in Fitterer, who helped draft Wilson in Seattle, it doesn’t seem likely that Carolina would be in the mix. Although, they will inquire about him. 

SAM DARNOLD

Some people might like this, but others won’t. Darnold is a young quarterback with plenty of talent who went to a dumpster fire of an organization and was surrounded by little help. The former first round pick (3rd overall) is still only 23 years old and a change of scenery might do him good. Obviously he still needs to progress more, but the arm talent is there. If the Panthers gave up their second round pick and a future fifth, they’d get a potential franchise quarterback on a rookie contract. That would give Carolina more cap space to build a team around him. The team could also still get a superstar corner or left tackle at pick eight. Interesting note: A lot of scouts had a higher grade on Darnold than they do Zach Wilson. 

DAK PRESCOTT

Prescott is the only free agent on this list, and it’s because he’s the only available quarterback that’s worth signing. A lot of people don’t like Dak simply because he plays for the Cowboys, but there’s no denying his talent. Even with awful offensive line play last season, he was on pace for a record-breaking year before his injury. There’s not a throw he can’t make and he goes through progressions quickly. At age 27, he’s still young enough to be a franchise quarterback for another team. The only thing Carolina will have to give up is cap space. Dak turned down $35 million per year and bet on himself but then had a severe injury that likely cost him a few million dollars per year. If Fitterer backloaded the contract, it would be a little more team friendly for 2021. 

JUSTIN FIELDS 

Carolina could ultimately decide to trade up in the draft and take Ohio State product Justin Fields. Fields has a big arm, good pocket awareness, good field vision and good athleticism. He also has a high football IQ and is accurate on just about any pass. It would probably cost Carolina pick eight, as well as, either a 2022 first or a couple second rounders to move from eight to three. If they decide to go that route, fans should be very excited. Too many people are overthinking Fields’ struggles against Alabama. Don’t do that. The guy is a stud. 

TREY LANCE

Lance is the fourth best quarterback in the draft with potentially the highest ceiling. He’s a little raw and there isn’t any recent film because North Dakota State opted out of the 2020-21 season. Lance is a little raw but he has really good traits. In 2019, he set an NCAA record for most completions without an interception (287), so he has really good accuracy. Lance has good awareness, good arm strength and never panics when the pocket collapses. Carolina could may be able to get Lance at pick eight, but it’s more likely they’ll have to move up to pick four. 

TEDDY BRIDGEWATER

Carolina could elect to let Bridgewater start in 2021 and build the trenches in the draft. Bridgewater is a good starting quarterback and could use a little more protection. Plus, the draft class next year has a few good quarterbacks, so you can build the line in the draft this year and get a quarterback in the draft next year. It would work well for your rookie quarterback to have a solid offensive line. 

WHAT TO DO WITH TEDDY

First and foremost, we here at 4 Man Rush really like Teddy Bridgewater the person and player. Yes the team struggled at times and even Teddy would admit that he could be better, but he made some really good plays last year too. That said, if the Panthers are ready to move on from Teddy, they need to do right by him and trade him to a team that needs a starting quarterback. 

Taking a look around the league, there are several teams that may need a new starter. Two teams in particular that may be looking are two teams he’s very familiar with: Minnesota and New Orleans. Rumors are swirling that Kirk Cousins is being targeted in a trade by San Francisco, so Minnesota could be in the market. Teddy is beloved in Minnesota and would welcome him back with open arms. New Orleans is also a logical choice after Drew Brees’ retirement. Bridgewater won five games in Drew’s absence in 2019 and the Saints would like him back as well. 

Minnesota has two third round picks and four fourth round picks. New Orleans only has four picks in the entire draft this year. One of which is a third round compensatory pick they will receive for losing Teddy last offseason. Carolina would likely take a third round pick for Teddy if they’re truly ready to move on. According to Spotrac, the team would incur $10 million of dead cap, but would save $12.9 million in cap space this year. They would also incur $5 million dollars in dead cap space in 2022 but would save $21 million in cap space next year. The dead cap would fall off the following year. 

GET A LEFT TACKLE 

There’s two things that need to happen along the offensive line: Retain Taylor Moton, which is mentioned above, and find an answer at left tackle. Whether that be through a trade, or the draft. There aren’t really any young, quality left tackles in free agency this year. Cam Robinson is a free agent but he struggled this year. Here are a couple of options at left tackle:

PENEI SEWELL

If Carolina decides to either keep Teddy or trade for Darnold, they may elect to trade up a bit for Sewell. Wouldn’t be a bad idea since Sewell is an absolute beast and has no weaknesses in his game. Sewell would provide consistent left tackle play for 10 years with Carolina. 

RASHAWN SLATER

Carolina could also decide to trade back and gain some picks while adding a solid left tackle prospect. Some scouts are pegging Slater as a center or guard, but he should be successful at the tackle position. Adding a player with such position flexibility is right up Matt Rhule’s alley. 

LIAM EICHENBERG 

Carolina could go with a second round tackle and still have a solid starter in Eichenberg. This is one of the more underrated offensive linemen in the draft and is a plug-and-play starter at left tackle. If Carolina goes quarterback in the first, Eichenberg fits the bill as a franchise left tackle. 

ORLANDO BROWN

Brown moved from right tackle to left tackle after an injury to starter Ronnie Staley. Brown excelled at the position and even earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2020. Its hard to say what kind of compensation the Ravens want for Brown, but the Panthers will definitely call to check. It’ll likely be a first rounder or two second rounders. The team would have to extend his contract, but it wouldn’t go into effect until next year when Carolina has a lot more cap space. 

If Carolina can do these things, they will be well on their way to being a contender. They are getting a head start compared to the rest of the division. The Falcons’ Ryan is getting older, Drew Brees of the Saints retired and Tom Brady is on his last leg in Tampa. Keep in mind that some of these players will be re-signed by their teams. However, other good players will be cut by their teams to make cap space more than ever before. Either way, the future looks bright in Carolina. 

A Look Ahead: Buccaneers

Game Breakdowns, Prime Cuts with Norris

Panthers 
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Buccaneers 
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Well, that’s not the way fans wanted to start the Matt Rhule Era. There were some things to like about the team (mainly on offense), but there were also some things to work on. The Carolina defense looked lost at times, but you’ll have that when there is so much inexperience. Tampa, who also went through some changes in the offseason, started off with a loss too. It was an odd week one to say the least, as most stadiums didn’t have fans in the stands to help swing momentum. Here’s a look ahead to the Bucs:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Head Coach

Bruce Arians

Offensive Coordinator

Byron Leftwich

Defensive Coordinator

Todd Bowles

Key Acquisitions

QB Tom Brady

RB Leonard Fournette

TE Rob Gronkowski

Key Losses

QB Jameis Winston

RB Peyton Barber

WR Breshad Perriman

Key Draft Picks

OT Tristan Wirf

S Antoine Winfield Jr. 

The Bucs’ offense looks a little different this year. They signed Tom Brady and Leonard Fournette and traded for Rob Gronkowski. Tampa didn’t get off to the best start, but neither did Carolina. The Bucs drafted one of the best offensive tackles in the 2020 draft, and one of the best safeties as well. 

Carolina Panthers

Head Coach

Matt Rhule 

Offensive Coordinator

Joe Brady

Defensive Coordinator

Phil Snow

Key Acquisitions

QB Teddy Bridgewater

WR Robby Anderson

LT Russell Okung

G John Miller

G Michael Schofield

LB Tahir Whitehead

CB Rasul Douglas

S Juston Burris

CB Eli Apple

KR Pharaoh Cooper

Key Losses

QB Cam Newton

DT/NT Dontari Poe 

LG Greg Van Roten 

K Graham Gano 

TE Greg Olsen

LB Luke Kuechly

DT Gerald McCoy

CB James Bradberry 

S Eric Reid

G Trai Turner

Key Draft Picks

DT Derrick Brown

DE Yatur Gross-Matos 

S/LB/N Jeremy Chinn

CB Troy Pride Jr. 

There has been more turnover on this team than any other team in the league. From coaches, to scouts, to players….This is an entirely different team. Carolina used all of their 2020 draft picks on defensive players, which is where most of their issues lied. 

Things to Watch

Carolina Panthers

Teddy Bridgewater played well for the Panthers, as he amassed 270 yards and a touchdown, with a quarterback rating of 98.9. Bridgewater will have his hands full on Sunday against the Tampa front seven, who was able to rush Drew Brees some on Sunday. Teddy does a good job of eluding pressure and stepping into the pocket. If he continues that, he should be able to take advantage of the Bucs and their lackluster secondary. Let’s hope the offensive line can hold off the Tampa pass rush. 

Christian McCaffrey started the game off slow on Sunday, but managed to get 134 total yards and 2 touchdowns against the Raiders. There’s no doubt that McCaffrey is still the best running back in the league. Last year, Tampa’s defense held McCaffrey to 110 total yards and 2 touchdowns in two games. That’s amazing when you consider he had a record breaking season. With Tampa’s front seven in-tact, the Bucs could give CMC some fits. Look for Joe Brady to get McCaffrey involved heavily in the passing game. McCaffrey should see some screens, intermediate sideline routes and possibly a deep throw or two so that he can take advantage of Tampa’s secondary. 

The Panthers have one of the fastest wide receiver trios in the league and that was put on display Sunday. Robby Anderson has a 75 yard touchdown from Bridgewater in the fourth quarter to take the lead and then capped it off with a successful two-point conversion. Fans shouldn’t worry about the offense, as they will likely get even better as the season progresses. People don’t realize how much the preseason reps are needed for an offense to sync. Especially in a year where a team has a new coaching staff, new quarterback and three new offensive linemen. Moore, Samuel and Anderson should get ample opportunities to gain separation and get a lot of yards. They must capitalize on a weak Tampa Secondary. Also, look for Carolina to get Ian Thomas involved more, as Tampa had issues shutting down Jared Cook last Sunday. 

Looks like the Carolina defense picked up where they left off from last year…..and that’s not a good thing. Josh Jacobs ran for 93 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Panthers, while Derek Carr added 239 yards and a touchdown through the air. Carolina also had no sacks or hurries on Carr, which is unheard of for a Panthers’ defense. To be fair, this is basically a new defense with a few rookies. Even though the stats aren’t there, Derrick Brown had a good game. Jeremy Chinn flew around the field and had 7 solo tackles in his NFL debut. Troy Pride Jr. played pretty well Sunday, too. He had good coverage skills but he needs to turn his head and look for the ball better. He was in perfect position to intercept that touchdown pass had he just turned his head. Pride definitely outplayed his draft position. 

Not all is bad about the defense, though. Jacobs didn’t break off any big runs and he only averaged 3.7 yards per carry. Teams last year averaged 5.7 yards per carry against Carolina. There was a lot to like about this young defense, but also a lot to work on. Kawann Short struggled against times, but he’s coming off a two game season and shoulder surgery with no preseason to get conditioned. He will get back to his form. Look for Phil Snow to incorporate a few defensive wrinkles to create pressure on Brady. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Tom Brady struggled throughout the first half against the Saints, but started to get into a rhythm as the game wore on. Brady has some weapons to work with, but his offensive line looks a little shaky. 

Tampa has two very good running backs in Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones. Jones will get the start, but Fournette will likely get a few carries this week now that he’s getting acclimated to the offense. They should have some success against the Panthers’ defense. 

The Bucs have a really good receiving group in Godwin, Evans and Scotty Miller. They also have 3 solid tight ends in Gronkowski, Howard and Brate. Look for Brady to try and expose rookie Troy Pride Jr. and also veteran Tahir Whitehead, who struggled in coverage. 

The Tampa defense has a strong and fast front seven who can stop the run and rush the passer. Their secondary struggled last week at times and will need to get to Bridgewater if they want to have a chance. 

Keys to a Carolina Victory

• Get McCaffrey involved heavily in the pass game. Try and establish the run game with CMC and Mike Davis. Tampa only allowed 82 yards rushing last week, but Carolina still needs to let McCaffrey run. He’s a volume runner. Eventually he will break one or two runs off. 

• Protect Teddy. Bridgewater does well under pressure and steps into the pocket, but the offensive line needs to do their best to keep Teddy clean so he can expose the Tampa secondary. 

• Protect the ball. No turnovers!

• Contain Scotty Miller. Brady loves the small slot receivers and will likely feed the ball to Miller. 

• Maintain gap discipline on defense. Also, set the edge. Can’t let Tampa break off runs on the outside or through holes. 

• Utilize the receivers’ speed. Carolina has three wide outs that can take the top off the defense and gain separation. Go after the Tampa secondary. 

• Win the time of possession battle. The offense needs to sustain long scoring drives to keep the defense fresh and take the pressure off of them. 

• Get pressure and hurry Brady. It should be easier this week against the Tampa offensive line. 

Key Matchups

• McCaffrey VS Buccaneers defensive line

• Bridgewater VS Buccaneers defensive line

• Pride Jr. and Douglas VS Evans and Godwin

• Carolina’s pass rush VS Brady

• Carolina offensive line VS Tampa’s defensive line

Injury Report

Carolina

DT Kawann Short OUT

DE Yetur Gross-Matos OUT

G Dennis Daley OUT

Tampa Bay

WR Chris Godwin DOUBTFUL

TE Anthony Auclair OUT

Prediction

You can never discount Tom Brady, even at 43 years old. Once he gets into rhythm, he’s hard to beat. However, there’s a possibility he may be without his top receiver, as Chris Godwin is in concussion protocol and will need to clear it if he wants to play. Carolina will come out with a solid game plan and pull out a 35-29 victory in Tampa. McCaffrey will get 160 total yards and 2 touchdowns. DJ Moore will have 110 yards and a touchdown. Robby Anderson will also have a touchdown. Carolina’s defense will get their first sack of the year and end the game with 4 sacks. Troy Pride Jr. will get his first career interception.