2021 NFL Mock Draft: Trevor Lawrence goes to Jacksonville

The Panthers have handed the keys to their offense to Teddy Bridgewater for at least this season. Despite signing him to a three-year contract, the partnership between the Panthers and Bridgewater does not seem likely to be a long-term one unless he plays at a level significantly higher than he operated at during his time with the New Orleans Saints.

Bridgewater went 5-0 in relief of an injured Drew Brees but the ceiling of a Carolina offense lacking definitive answers at the skill positions will be limited with the former Minnesota Viking under center because of his apparent unwillingness to push the ball downfield.

Lance does not suffer from that same flaw, with the combination of his dual-threat skill set and his remarkable poise putting him on the fringe of the conversation for the number one pick that includes Lawrence and Fields.

The same questions about level of competition that faced Carson Wentz when he came out of North Dakota State in 2016 will almost certainly be put to Lance.

However, the extent to which he dominated that competition last season should help assuage those concerns. Lance threw 28 interceptions and zero interceptions in his first season as a starter with the Bison, adding 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. It may be Bridgewater’s team for now, but Lance could rapidly become the face of the Panthers franchise.