Much, of course, has been made about what’ll be best for the Carolina Panthers atop the 2023 NFL draft—where they’ll be selecting a quarterback with the first overall pick. But what about their second one?
NFL.com analyst Chad Reuter recently dug into that question, identifying the ideal pairings for each team’s top two selections. After hooking the Panthers up with Ohio State University star C.J. Stroud at No. 1, he goes with Iowa State University edge defender Will McDonald IV at No. 39.
Reuter writes:
McDonald was miscast in Iowa State’s defense at 5-technique but possesses the bend and length off the edge required in new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s scheme. Plus, Brian Burns, Yetur Gross-Matos and Marquis Haynes are free agents after the coming season.
That scheme will see the Panthers work from a 3-4 base, one in which the 6-foot-4, 239-pounder would likely be used as an outside linebacker. Evero’s scheme versatility would also allow for plenty of different looks involving the potential second-rounder, with Haynes and Gross-Matos factoring in off the edge as well.
McDonald, in his five seasons at Iowa State, amassed 34.0 sacks over 46 games. And if this is indeed an ideal match, perhaps that production sees an uptick at the next level for the explosive pass rusher.
