Every year there are good pro prospects that come out in the NFL draft. There are only a handful that are ready to come in from Week 1 and start dominating at the next level, though. Here are three players that would be worth it for Carolina to move up in the first round of the draft to get.
Clelin Ferrell: EDGE, Clemson
While a good amount of 2019 mock drafts have Ferrell falling to the Panthers at No. 16, there is absolutely no guarantee he does that given how valuable he will be as a pass rusher. The effort and ability Ferrell would bring to whatever team that picks him makes him worth moving up for. Flipping one of the Panthers’ third-round selections (their No. 100 pick is a compensatory pick for Andrew Norwell), into the top 12 to ensure they secure Ferrell would not be a bad idea at all.
Ed Oliver: DT, Houston
Oliver is as scheme-versatile as they come for defensive linemen and the athletic comparisons to Aaron Donald are obviously there for good reason. Carolina’s depth at the position is also fairly thin at the moment with Kyle Love a free agent and Dontari Poe not living up to his contract. Trading up into the top 10 to get Oliver might be worth it to make sure a division rival does not get their hands on him. If he falls to No. 14, the Falcons will likely take him and he’d become a problem twice a year for the Panthers to face.
Brian Burns: EDGE, Florida State
Perhaps the Panthers view Burns higher than Ferrell. Who knows? Given the interest they have shown in him during the predraft process, it’s certainly possible. Adding a real difference-maker on the edge should be the team’s top priority in this draft. Nick Bosa is the best of this class, but it’s unrealistic to hope to get him. The Panthers don’t have the draft capital for a move up into the top-five picks. However, Burns might slip just low enough to be worth a move up.
