3 Teams That Should Trade Up for Panthers' No. 8 Pick in Draft

The 2021 NFL Draft is looking like it will be another exciting one as trade rumors circulate about the possibility of teams trading into the top-10.

The Carolina Panthers currently hold the No. 8 pick, but they may not last. With Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Darnold under contract, the Panthers don't need to draft a quarterback like other teams that are desperate for one. In fact, it's entirely possible that Carolina could acquire more draft capital by moving the 8th overall pick to a team that wants it bad enough.

With that being said, here's a look at three teams that would make perfect trade partners with the Panthers.

1. Washington Football Team

As it stands, the Washington Football Team holds the No. 19 pick in Round 1. With Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starting quarterback, WFT should start thinking about future options considering the 38-year-old probably doesn't have too many more seasons left in him. Chances are that a quarterback who'll be ready to play in 2021 or 2022 may not be available at No. 19, so the WFT needs to be proactive. Moving from No. 19 to No. 8 will likely cost them a few future draft picks, but it'll be a beneficial move for each side if it gets done.

2. New England Patriots

The New England Patriots organization made it clear at the start of the offseason that they wanted to be as competitive as soon as the fall. The Patriots are also reportedly looking for a quarterback, so if there's someone they love enough available at No. 8, it makes sense for them to move up. With only a handful of NFL-ready signal-callers available in the draft, the Patriots can't afford to be idle and let someone steal their guy. Even if it means trading a big package to the Panthers to move up from No. 15, that could be a price Bill Belichick is willing to pay.

3. Chicago Bears

Another team looking for a quarterback happens to be the Chicago Bears. The only issue is that the Bears don't draft until No. 20 and all the good options could be gone by then. With that being said, the Bears should trade up to No. 8 if they can put together an offer that'll blow the Panthers away. While nothing's guaranteed, there's a good chance that one of Justin Fields, Mac Jones or Trey Lance could be available at No. 8 and someone of their potential could turn the Bears fortunes around in the near future.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk free for up to $1,000!