Carolina Panthers enter Day 2 of NFL draft with glaring needs. How and who to fix them.
The Carolina Panthers addressed one of the team’s biggest needs heading into the draft with the eighth overall pick.
South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn gives the team an immediate starter at the position, and someone who the team thinks can help defend against the dominant wide receivers in the NFC South.
With seven picks remaining in the final six rounds of this year’s draft — the Panthers would love to pick up a couple more and moving back is absolutely on the table — there is still a considerable amount of work to be done. Carolina has now invested all eight picks of the Matt Rhule era on defensive players, which is good for that side of the ball; however, the Panthers are looking to get younger on offense.
The most glaring remaining need is on the offensive line, namely at left tackle. The Panthers have not had an answer at left tackle since Jordan Gross retired after the 2013 season. While the team continued the trend of not investing a first-round pick in an offensive lineman — they last did so in 2008 with tackle Jeff Otah — drafting a tackle with the 39th overall pick would be the second time in three years the Panthers have invested a second-round pick in the position (Greg Little, 2019).
Other needs including safety, tight end and defensive tackle.
General manager Scott Fitterer noted that the talent was high in players expected to be available on Day 2, so it could be a big evening.
Panthers remaining picks
| Round | Pick | Overall |
| 2 | 7 | 39 |
| 3 | 9 | 73 |
| 4 | 8 | 113 |
| 5 | 7 | 151 |
| 6 | 7 | 191 |
| 6 | 9 | 193 |
| 6 | 38 | 222 |
Offensive line
The Panthers cannot walk out of Day 2 of the draft without addressing the offensive line in some way, and there are multiple top players who could help the team. Yes, left tackle is the most obvious hole with no clear starter on the roster, but both guard spots could use some help. If the Panthers want to see what Sam Darnold can do, he has to be better protected than he was in New York. We’re going to list other positions after this, but there’s no denying that line is the gaping area of need.
Alabama tackle Alex Leatherwood coming off the board midway through the first round was a bit of a surprise, but the Las Vegas Raiders saw something they liked. There are still many tackles that could come in and contribute available.
▪ Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State
Jenkins is by most standards the best tackle left on the board, but he played more right tackle at Oklahoma State and could project as a guard in the NFL. His arms are on the shorter side — 33 1/2 inches — for a tackle, however, many considered him a potential first-round talent and he has the versatility to play either tackle position and guard. The 6-foot-6, 317-pound lineman played right guard, left tackle and right tackle with the Cowboys. He opted out of the end of the 2020 season but appeared at the Senior Bowl. There are also some injury concerns related to Jenkins.
This could depend on where the Panthers view him playing at the next level. Right tackle Taylor Moton is currently playing on the franchise tag.
▪ Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame
Eichenberg was a three-year starter at left tackle with the Fighting Irish, and he earned second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-ACC honors in 2020. He was voted the winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given to the top lineman in the conference.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein describes him as a better run blocker than pass protector at this time, but he has significant experience playing left tackle, and learned from two top NFL linemen in college — Quenton Nelson and Ronnie Stanley.
▪ Jackson Carman, Clemson
Could this be the long-awaited first Clemson player drafted by the Panthers? Carman started all 12 games at left tackle during the 2020 season with the Tigers, and 27 total games over the last two years. He did not work our at Clemson’s pro day as he recovered from back surgery on a herniated disc, but he did have a private workout earlier this month.
Carman is another player that may project as a guard in the NFL (32 1/2-inch arms) and there are questions about his consistency. He has said he feels comfortable playing a variety of positions.
Other linemen to watch on Day 2: Alabama G/C Landon Dickerson, Texas T Samuel Cosmi, North Dakota State T Dillon Radunz, Michigan OL Jalen Mayfield
Tight end
Finding a top pass-catching tight end was a priority going into this draft for the Panthers, although further down the list, and at least one prominent player is expected to be picked Friday. Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth projects as an NFL starter.
Freiermuth was named first-team All-Big Ten in 2020 despite only starting four games due to injury. He set a Penn State record the most career touchdowns by a tight end (16). He can help as a run blocker and a pass catcher, but No. 39 could be a bit early for the Panthers to take him. Boston College tight end Hunter Long could also b e an option in the third round.
A major missing piece from the offense last year was a reliable tight end who could help out Teddy Bridgewater. Finding a solid target for Darnold should be a priority.
Safety
This is also not one of the most glaring holes, but there are some talented players on the board in Day 2 who could be versatile additions for Carolina. The Panthers could use some depth at safety, despite investing so heavily in the defensive side of the ball.
▪ Trevon Moehrig, TCU
Moehrig is someone who could have gone on Day 1, but not one safety was selected in the first 32 picks. He can play a variety of coverages and contribute on special teams. His best season was in 2019, when he was voted first-team All-Big 12 after finishing the season with four interceptions, 62 tackles, two forced fumbles and 11 passes defensed.
He had another solid season in 2020, and would be a good weapon in Phil Snow’s defense.
▪ Richie Grant, UCF
Ah yes. Rhule’s Senior Bowl crush, if that’s a thing. The head coach made note of praising Grant for his performance and willingness to help at cornerback while playing for the Panthers in Mobile.
Outside of Rhule’s praise, Grant’s versatility is one of his strengths. He also can help force turnovers and matchup with tight ends in man-coverage. (Looking at you, Kyle Pitts.)
Other names to watch: Clemson WR Amari Rodgers, Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore, Alabama DT Christian Barimore, Iowa DT Daviyon Nixon
This story was originally published April 30, 2021 at 7:00 AM.
