7-round mock draft for Carolina Panthers: 2 playmakers, pass rusher added with top picks
The rebuilding Carolina Panthers will look to infuse some youth into their depth chart during the NFL Draft on April 25-27 in Detroit.
Following the Brian Burns trade with the New York Giants, the Panthers have seven picks heading into draft weekend. They are likely to address several needs including wide receiver, edge rusher, center and tight end during the selection process.
Here is our first Panthers-only mock draft:
Second round — 33rd overall pick: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
The Panthers upgraded their wide receiver depth chart earlier this month when they traded for Diontae Johnson. But the group had quite a few holes heading into free agency, and while recently reacquired David Moore knows the system, he isn’t the type of long-term contributor worthy of checking the trajectory box.
McConkey is an all-around strong athlete and technician at the position. The 6-foot, 186-pound receiver is a particularly special route runner, and his 4.39-second 40-yard dash time implies he has the speed to separate at the next level. He has the ability to play the Z position and work in the slot, and he could be a long-term successor for Adam Thielen.
While his college numbers aren’t spectacular (199 catches for 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns), his handle for the game and football intelligence give him a pretty high floor.
Trade with Houston Texans
Panthers acquire: 42nd (second round), 59th (second round) and 188th (sixth round) overall picks
Texans acquire: 39th (second round) and 65th (third round) overall picks
The Panthers use their creativity with a trade-down opportunity that allows them to jump back into the deep end of the second round on Day 2. With three second-round picks, the Panthers can essentially make up for a lack of a first-round selection, while also plotting out their Day 3 plan in advance. Plus, they add a missing sixth-round pick to the fold.
Second round — 42nd overall pick (via HOU from MIN): Marshawn Kneeland, OLB, Western Michigan
After trading Burns and letting Yetur Gross-Matos walk, the group looks middling, at best, entering the draft. While GM Dan Morgan was able to sign upside pass rusher D.J. Wonnum to a two-year deal, the former South Carolina standout goes from being the No. 3 edge in Minnesota to the No. 2 guy in Carolina.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Panthers agreed to terms on a contract with former Pro Bowl pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney. But the Panthers should still try to fortify the position beyond their two starting pass rushers with Gamecocks ties.
Kneeland had an outstanding performance at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. His 4.75-second 40-yard dash and 7.02-second 3-cone drill times imply that he has excellent speed and flexibility on the edge. The 6-foot-3, 263-pound pass rusher produced 13 sacks and 28 tackles for loss during his college career. And while those numbers aren’t going to “wow” anyone, his ability to stop the run and move in space should appeal to the Panthers.
Second round — 59th overall pick (via HOU): Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
While Morgan has been quick to compliment Tommy Tremble, the Panthers could use a dynamic weapon at tight end. After getting a boost back into the second round through the projected trade with Houston, the Panthers add to their playmaking department with Sanders.
Sanders produced 99 catches for 1,295 yards and 7 touchdowns over the past two seasons. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound pass-catcher ran an impressive 4.69-second 40-yard dash at the combine, and he has the overall athletic profile to grow into a big role in the modern NFL. Sanders could develop into a key outlet for second-year quarterback Bryce Young.
Fourth round — 101st overall: Jarrian Jones, CB, Florida State
The departures of Donte Jackson and C.J. Henderson left a couple of voids in the depth chart. While the team signed Dane Jackson in free agency, the Panthers need to reinforce the position with youth in the draft. Dane Jackson, Jaycee Horn and Troy Hill give the Panthers a solid trio at the top of the depth chart, but a rookie addition would add a backstop that is very much needed with Horn’s regular injury woes.
Jones split his college career between Mississippi State and Florida State. During his five-year college tenure, Jones produced 96 tackles (5.5 for loss), 5 interceptions and 12 pass breakups. The 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back could get adjusted to the NFL with his former teammate, Jammie Robinson, already in the defensive backfield.
Fifth round — 141st overall (via NYG): Cedric Gray, ILB, UNC
Who doesn’t enjoy a good local connection? Gray, a Charlotte native, would give the Panthers a much-needed third inside linebacker behind Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell. Gray was a captain at North Carolina, and his sure-tackling ability could make him an asset on special teams.
The 6-foot-1, 234-pound linebacker can come in and learn before potentially taking over for Thompson.
Fifth round — 142nd overall (via TEN): MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Southern California
Chuba Hubbard enters the offseason as the Panthers’ top back. He is in the final year of his rookie deal and has never surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark. Meanwhile, Miles Sanders is coming off the worst season of his career and needs to a major bounce-back campaign in 2024. So, the backfield situation isn’t particularly whimsical at the moment.
But head coach Dave Canales wants to run the ball this season, and adding to the backfield is a smart idea for a solid rotation. Canales is very familiar with the Trojans’ program, and Lloyd, despite his notable injury history (including ACL surgery in 2020), could be a worthwhile addition behind Hubbard and Sanders. The 5-foot-9, 220-pound running back split his career between Southern California and South Carolina and produced 1,621 rushing yards, 452 receiving yards and 21 total touchdowns in three seasons. His 4.46-second 40-yard dash time and 36-inch vertical jumps at the combine were good numbers for him.
Sixth-round — 188th overall (via HOU): Jacob Monk, C, Duke
The Panthers will move Austin Corbett to center this offseason. While that move makes sense, the Panthers should get some insurance in the draft.
Monk could be the safeguard the Panthers are looking for. The 6-foot-3, 308-pound center ran a 5.09-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, and he has played all three positions on the line. With his athleticism and explosiveness, Monk could be long-term answer within the middle of the line.
Seventh round — 240th overall pick (via PIT): Justin Rodgers, DL, Auburn
The Panthers have a strong starting defensive line with Derrick Brown, Shy Tuttle and the newly signed A’Shawn Robinson at the forefront. But the depth chart could use some extra work.
Rogers, like Brown, was a strong run stopper at Auburn. The 6-foot-3, 346-pound nose tackle should be able to come in on early downs and provide a road block for opposing rush attacks.
Total draft haul:
Second round (33rd overall pick): Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
Second round (42nd overall pick via HOU from MIN): Marshawn Kneeland, OLB, Western Michigan
Second round (59th overall pick via HOU): Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
Fourth round (101st overall): Jarrian Jones, CB, Florida State
Fifth round (141st overall via NYG): Cedric Gray, ILB, UNC
Fifth round (142nd overall via TEN): MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Southern California
Sixth-round (188th overall via HOU): Jacob Monk, C, Duke
Seventh round (240th overall pick via PIT): Justin Rogers, DL, Auburn
This story was originally published March 27, 2024 at 5:30 AM.
