We go around the Internet to see what popular media outlets think the Panthers will do in the NFL Draft.
We’ve done this exercise a couple of times now, and we’ll probably get one more in the week or so leading up to the draft after teams have completed their meetings with prospects and reporters hear scuttlebutt about what teams are trying to do. All of the significant pro days wrapped up last week, which has people rethinking some of their rankings and adjusting their draft boards. We have some different picks for the Panthers than we did last time, so let’s dive right in.
ESPN (Field Yates):
8: Jalon Walker, Edge/LB, Georgia
57: Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
Yates has the Panthers taking a couple of Jalens with different spellings. Walker has been one of if not the most commonly mocked players to the Panthers throughout the predraft process. He’s got prototypical linebacker size but the ability to rush the passer. He brings a bunch of versatility to the defense with his athleticism and skill set.
Noel is a small-ish but very athletic wide receiver. He would fill a Panthers young receiving corps that features Xavier Legette and Jalen (there’s that name again) Coker on the outside. He also brings kick and punt return experience.
NFL (Chad Reuter)
8: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
57: Kevin Winston Jr., Safety, Penn State
74: Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State
111: Bilhal Kone, CB, Michigan
114: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
140: Junior Tafuna, DT, Utah
146: Jalen Travis, OT, Iowa State
163: Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
Reuter runs through five rounds of his mock draft and has the Panthers hitting a lot of needs. Tight end isn’t a position of need, but Warren is a tremendous prospect that would help Bryce Young and the offense. The defense gets help through the middle rounds while more offensive depth gets added late.
PFF
8: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Despite all the holes on defense, Mason Cameron has the Panthers going with a first round wide receiver for the second straight draft. McMillan is the consensus best receiver in the draft and provides a big body target down the field.
The Athletic
8: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
57: Kevin Winston Jr., Safety, Penn State
74: Kyle Kennard, Edge, South Carolina
A couple of repeat picks in the The Athletic’s mock draft. The Panthers go for their wide receiver in McMillan while getting badly needed defensive help in rounds two and three.
CBS Sports
8: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
57: Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State
74: Xavier Watts, Safety, Notre Dame
Ryan Wilson has the common idea of mocking the Panthers a pass rusher in round one, but he goes off the beaten path and has the Panthers taking Marshall’s Mike Green. Green led FBS with 17 sacks but does have some off field issues that need to be taken into account.
Williams is a big body that can stuff the run, while Watts could potentially provide a coverage safety that Panthers haven’t had in who knows how long.
Yahoo Sports
8: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
Another different edge rusher for the Panthers to try. Stewart looks the part of an elite pass rusher with his size and athletic traits. However, he never produced at all at the college level and would be a risky bet to suddenly start producing in the NFL.
Tankathon
8: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
57: J.T. Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State
74: Demetrius Knight Jr, LB, South Carolina
111: CJ West, DL, Indiana
114: Lathan Ransom, Safety, Ohio State
The site more known for its NBA Draft Lottery simulator has the Panthers bolstering their weapons cache for Bryce Young before going all in on the defensive side of the ball. The mock draft checks all the areas of need should the players all hit.