2021 NFL Mock Draft: First-round projections after national championship
Patrick Surtain II. 8. player. 87. Scouting Report. Alabama. Pick Analysis. CB
During Alabama’s national title run and dominant 2020 season, it became clearer and clearer that Patrick Surtain II was the best defensive back in college football.
Surtain II was tasked with guarding each opposing team’s best receiver and he thrived down the stretch, getting Alabama’s defense back on track after a nightmarish start to the season. He posted career-highs in tackles for loss and pass deflections in 2020 and finished off an impressive three-year stretch with the Tide.
The former five-star cornerback started for three years with Alabama which isn’t easy to do with such a loaded roster and proved to be a lockdown defender.
The Panthers need a cornerback and this seems like a perfect match. Surtain II has day one starting ability and he has the size at 6-2 and 200 pounds. The only concern about Surtain’s game is his speed, but I don’t think that’s going to be an issue.
Matt Rhule will get a good one here.