Carolina Panthers add pass rush, offensive line help in latest mock draft round-up

The Carolina Panthers have addressed some of their needs at the pass rush and on the offensive line with some new additions. But the Panthers could still benefit from other long term options and have also been vocal about their want to protect Cam Newton in the upcoming season. It’ll be interesting to see which position Carolina goes after first in the NFL Draft in a few weeks.

In Dan Kadar’s latest mock draft for SB Nation, he predicts Marty Hurney will go after big man defensive end Clelin Ferrell with the No. 16 pick.

16. Carolina Panthers: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson

Offseason needs: Edge defender, offensive tackle, safety, guard

The Panthers have acquired edge rusher Bruce Irvin, but at best he’s a situational player at this point in his career. Ferrell can be the type of defensive end the Panthers need. He’s a good all-around player, with decent burst and closing speed.

In my opinion, this would be a huge win for the Panthers to nab Ferrell if he’s still available. He’s versatile in any defensive scheme and is nothing short of a physical beast.

What others are saying

Walter Football agrees with Kadar that Panthers will grab a dynamic pass rusher.

16. Carolina Panthers: Brian Burns, DE/OLB, Florida State

The Panthers are looking for an edge rusher, despite the signing of Bruce Irvin. The former Seahawk, Raider and Falcon should still be an effective player, but he turns 32 during the season. Carolina needs young blood at its new 3-4 outside linebacker position.

Brian Burns needs to bulk up quite a bit, but he has a long frame, so he has the potential to fill out. Some mock drafts had Burns as a top-10 pick, but sources Charlie Campbell has spoken to believe Burns is a second-round prospect (read more in the NFL Hot Press.) That said, there aren’t 32 first-round prospects in this class, so someone like Burns could sneak into the middle or end of the opening frame if a team likes him enough.

However, Charlie Campbell predicts Panthers will add more depth to the offensive line.

16. Carolina Panthers: Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss

The top pass-rushers are off the board, so Carolina addresses its hole at left tackle. Matt Kahlil was a bust signing by former general manager Dave Gettleman and the position needs to be upgraded badly.

Little showed a ton of potential as a freshman starter. He was up and down as a sophomore, but possesses plenty of upside. In 2018, Little was inconsistent. The junior blocked well in some games, but against Alabama, he was bull rushed into the pocket routinely and gave up pressure to the inside. There is no doubt that Little has excellent size with athleticism and agility. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder could end up being a really good left tackle if he works hard and makes the most of his immense potential, but that didn’t happen in college, so he could be a boom-or-bust prospect with a significant lethargy risk once he gets a multi-million dollar contract.

NFL Network analyst Charles Davis predicts that edge rusher Burns will be taken, allowing room for another offensive tackle.

16. Carolina Panthers: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State

The Panthers had to be eyeing Florida State edge rusher Brian Burns, but with Washington snatching him up, they opt to keep strengthening their O-line with this ace pass protector, and perhaps kick current LT Taylor Moton inside to guard.

Chris Traspasso from CBS Sports believes Ron Rivera will want to add more talent for Newton to pass to.

16. Carolina Panthers: D.K. Metcalf, WR. Ole Miss

Metcalf and Cam Newton would be a blast. The huge, explosive wideout would be the perfect type of linear speedster to accentuate Newton’s cannon of an arm.

Vinnie Iyer at Sporting News can also see Panthers adding another receiver to the depth chart.

16. Carolina Panthers: Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina

The Panthers like smaller guys who can run fast, and they add to their track team behind Christian McCaffrey. Deebo might not be D.J. Moore, and Samuel might not be Curtis Samuel, but he is Deebo Samuel, a dynamic playmaker from the Panthers’ new home state.

What do you think, Panthers fans? Which pick do you like the most?