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As much as the Texans may not be motivated to trade away their franchise quarterback, the Panthers will be one of the more aggressive teams in the pursuit for Deshaun Watson's services. Based on this mock, the Panthers draft a high-upside prospect that could sit behind Teddy Bridgewater for a year (or two, if necessary).

While Lance is making the jump from only 17 games -- including only one in 2020 -- against FCS-level competition, the dual-threat quarterback accounted for 48 touchdowns -- 30 passing and 18 rushing -- and threw only one interception in collegiate career.

Carolina is closer to competing than its 5-11 record suggested, and a real game-breaker under center would go a long way toward getting the Panthers there. Teddy Bridgewater was more of a game manager last season, especially down the stretch, throwing only four more touchdowns than interceptions. Fields can make off-schedule throws or tuck it and run, but he has shown poise when he hangs in the pocket too. Accuracy pops on his deep balls.

David Newton on his fit with the Panthers: Even if Bridgewater isn't traded and remains on the roster, Carolina likely would throw Fields into the starting lineup and grow with him as it did with Cam Newton in 2011. You trade up like this only if you believe that player will be your franchise quarterback and can make an immediate impact. Bridgewater's deal runs through 2022, but there is a potential out after this season.

Predicting the Panthers' pick here depends on whether you think they'll win the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes. Put another way: Just how far is owner David Tepper willing to go to get a franchise quarterback? For the purposes of this exercise, we'll assume Watson goes elsewhere and the Panthers take a bit of a gamble on a developmental quarterback, albeit one with a diverse skillset and a high ceiling. Lance shined in a year-plus against FCS competition in an offense that also produced Carson Wentz, which is not the selling point it once was. Lance will have a season to get adjusted to the NFL and learn coordinator Joe Brady's offense behind Teddy Bridgewater, and then head coach Matt Rhule and company hope their evaluations were on point. -- Joseph Person

Those who are compelled to give Lance's tenure with the Bison an “incomplete” will point to his 18 games, and strength of competition that topped out at Illinois State or Butler. That's one way to look at it, but when you isolate Lance as a player, it's clear that he has what it takes to succeed in the NFL -- especially an NFL in which quarterbacks are asked more than ever to use their mobility to create outside of structure and make second-reaction throws. Lance finds it almost impossible to make turnover throws -- he totaled 28 touchdowns and no interceptions in his collegiate career -- and that's not because he's risk-averse.

In 2019, Lance also completed 17 of 44 passes of 20 or more air yards for 10 touchdowns. Oh, he also ran 169 times for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns. You'd think Panthers head coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Joe Brady would love to take a player with Lance's attributes and fill in the blanks, and odds are, it wouldn't take too long.

The Panthers trade up to select their potential quarterback of the future. Lance has a lot of upside but will need time to develop, and he gets it in Year 1 behind Teddy Bridgewater.

The only team to take a tight end this high since 2007 is, yup, your Detroit Lions. The Panthers need a quarterback desperately, and if they strike out on the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes, they will be looking for one here. But with the top four guys already gone, they'll find better value by taking the best tight end prospect since T.J. Hockenson. No team had fewer passing yards when targeting a tight end in 2020 than the Panthers (195).

A quarterback isn't out of the question here. The Panthers missed out on Matthew Stafford and are currently trying to pry Watson away from the Texans. Parsons or a corner would make a lot of sense here as well. Farley is a physical press corner with elite athleticism and size (6-foot-2, 207 pounds) who didn't play this season due to COVID.