Somebody might want to tell the Panthers 2021 rookie class to look to rent in Charlotte, not buy.
When rookies are drafted they automatically receive four-year contracts. During those first four seasons teams have every incentive to keep the player on the roster and develop them into long-term contributors. Rookies enter the league with high upside and low cap hits while front offices don’t want to carry the stigma of drafting prospects who turn into busts.
But let’s look beyond those four-year rookie contracts and evaluate the Panthers ability to draft players then keep them on the roster for five or more seasons.