Advertisement

Panthers mock draft: After first week of free agency, Carolina addresses several needs

The Carolina Panthers added some quality depth to their roster during the first week of free agency.

Along with re-signing starting center Bradley Bozeman, the Panthers signed or agreed to terms with safety Vonn Bell, running back Miles Sanders, tight end Hayden Hurst, quarterback Andy Dalton, defensive tackle Shy Tuttle, defensive end DeShawn Williams, guard Justin McCray and wideout Adam Thielen.

And while the influx of veteran talent will help coach Frank Reich and his staff in their first year together, the Panthers still have plenty of holes to plug over the next few weeks. That’s why the April’s NFL Draft will be so important.

Armed with the first overall pick — following a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears — the Panthers will need to restock the shelves with quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker and cornerback talent.

Here is The Observer’s latest Monday mock draft:

FIRST ROUND: NO. 1 PICK (via CHI)

C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

The Panthers made a splash trade ahead of free agency, sending wide receiver DJ Moore and a package of four premium picks to the Bears for the top selection in this year’s draft. They made that move for a reason.

Although the Panthers are keeping their options open at the top of the totem pole, they ultimately know who they want, regardless of what is coming out of Bank of America Stadium. With all that said, the Panthers should go with whomever Reich and his offensive staff want at quarterback.

Stroud aligns with Reich’s previous pupils at the position. The 6-foot-3, 214-pound quarterback is a polished passer with impeccable accuracy. While he did have the help of top-flight talent at Ohio State, Stroud’s ball placement, timing and field vision are attributes that are hard ignore on film.

Along with his passing tools, Stroud has untapped potential as a runner. His pocket mobility is above average, and he flashed as a runner during a shootout against Georgia in the College Football Playoff. Stroud admitted at the NFL Scouting Combine that he should have ran the ball more in college. The help of a talented coaching staff could unlock that area of his game in the pros.

Stroud’s aforementioned strengths are hard to teach, and that should make him extremely appealing to a team that has struck out on veteran retreads over the past year.

Trade

The Panthers trade 39th overall pick to the Tennessee Titans for the 41st (2nd round), 148th (5th) and 229th (7th) overall picks.

After trading away the 61st overall pick — from the Christian McCaffrey trade — as part of the deal for the first overall selection, the Panthers might want to regain some lottery tickets. Using the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator, the Panthers received interest from the Tennessee Titans for a quick trade-up opportunity. The Panthers were able to land fifth- and seventh-round picks by going back just two spots.

SECOND ROUND: PICK NO. 41 (via TEN)

Josh Downs, WR, UNC

The Panthers desperately need more wide receiver talent — even with Sunday’s addition of Thielen. Unfortunately, the wide receiver classes in free agency and the draft have left a lot to be desired this offseason. There’s a reason why the Bears were so bullish about Moore being part of the trade package for the top pick.

So, now the Moore-less Panthers need to upgrade the weapons on offense. Downs is an undersized receiver with above-average speed and hands. The 5-foot-9, 171-pound playmaker will likely man the slot for his NFL team, and that’s an OK position to be in with modern NFL offenses.

Downs could be Stroud’s go-to weapon across the middle of the field. Reich could also be creative with Downs, getting him involved in trick plays out of the backfield. Downs would complement the likes of Hurst, Thielen and fellow wideout Terrace Marshall Jr.

THIRD ROUND: PICK NO. 93 (via SF)

Moro Ojomo, DT/DE, Texas

The Panthers brought in Tuttle and Williams to work opposite Derrick Brown along the defensive line. Tuttle is expected to be slotted at nose tackle, while Williams will bookend Brown at defensive end.

Williams projects as a starter, for the moment, because of his familiarity with Ejiro Evero’s defensive system. However, the 30-year-old defensive lineman should be considered a bridge starter as Evero looks to set the tone early in his tenure.

Ojomo could be Williams’ eventual successor, while also providing valuable depth along the line. The 6-foot-3, 292-pound lineman is a perfect fit for a hybrid defensive front.

FOURTH ROUND: PICK NO. 114

Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU

The Panthers decided to pass on tendering former starting nickel corner Myles Hartsfield last week. Although the team has upgraded the secondary with the arrival of Bell, the status of the nickel position still remains up in the air.

Jeremy Chinn has struggled in coverage at safety, but could fair better as a “big” nickel in certain packages. Still, the Panthers need a legitimate nickel corner in down-and-distance situations.

Hodge-Tomlinson is a rangy, undersized nickel corner who can effectively play the pass and the run. LaDainian Tomlinson’s nephew is a feisty cover man who thrived in the middle of the field at TCU.

FOURTH ROUND: PICK NO. 132 (via SF)

Yasir Abdullah, OLB, Louisville

After picking up a couple of extra selections in the second-round trade, the Panthers can afford to take some creative shots on Day 3 of the draft. Abdullah, listed as 6-1 and 237 pounds, is a tweener player with versatility. While he’s likely too small to be a full-time EDGE rusher, he has the talent to be an excellent blitzer from the outside. He also has the range to handle coverage as an off-ball linebacker.

While Frankie Luvu is likely to start somewhere within the second level of the Panthers’ defense, his role could be unique because of his versatility. Abdullah could essentially take a seat behind Luvu as his similarly versatile understudy.

Abdullah has also has the skill set to shine on special teams.

FIFTH ROUND: PICK NO. 145

Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion

The Panthers are paying Hurst to upgrade the tight end room, but the position could still use some more love.

Kuntz is a massive target over the middle. The 6-7, 255-pound tight end could be used as a red-zone sub-package weapon early on in his career.

Although he still has room for growth, Kuntz could become a worthwhile long-term fit around the Panthers’ new franchise quarterback.

FIFTH ROUND: PICK NO. 148 (via TEN)

Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR, West Virginia

The Panthers will probably need to double dip at wide receiver in April. Ford-Wheaton is a size-speed mismatch weapon with plenty of room to grow in the NFL.

At 6-4 and 221 pounds, Ford-Wheaton ran a blazing 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. While he might not be the most polished playmaker available, his attributes are impressive.

Ford-Wheaton caught 15 touchdown passes during his college career, and he could be viewed similarly to Kuntz as a red-zone weapon.

SEVENTH ROUND: PICK NO. 229 (via TEN)

Brandon Hill, S, Pittsburgh

The Panthers have some room for depth at safety under their new coaching staff. While Bell and Xavier Woods will start at the position, Sam Franklin is really the only notable player behind that first-team duo.

Hill can come in and perform immediately on special teams, while providing depth behind the aforementioned trio. Hill had a productive three-year stints at Pitt, and he could end up being a high upside add for Carolina.

At this point in the draft, the Panthers are likely hoping to just control the rights of a player who they would have targeted in undrafted free agency. Hill has a strong pedigree and is worth a flier here.