The Panthers need to get better and younger on both sides of the line of scrimmage this offseason.
In our latest seven-round 2020 mock draft, our strategy was to select the best lineman available in the first three rounds, then move on to other concerns on the roster. Here’s how it played out.
No. 7: Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs
There are so many significant roster holes for Carolina to fill this offseason that it’s difficult to even know where to begin. That said, it’s tough to pass on a prospect like Wirfs. He has the size (6-foot-5, 322 pounds), build, polish and athleticism to be a difference maker at the next level right away. If the Panthers want to keep their current starting right tackle Taylor Moton, they could slide Wirfs inside and fill their hole at left guard.
No. 38: Alabama EDGE Terrell Lewis
The Panthers took an Alabama EDGE in the fourth round last year in Christian Miller, who didn’t get much playing time as a rookie. The team will need more depth outside, especially if both 2019 starters Mario Addison and Bruce Irvin leave in free agency. Lewis (6-foot-5, 252 pounds) totaled six sacks and 11.5 tackles for a loss last season.
No. 69: LSU iDL Rashard Lawrence
Carolina spent more money at defensive tackle than any team in the league this year and they’ll need to let some of their older interior linemen walk if they’re going to field a more balanced roster. Should Dontari Poe and Gerald McCoy wind up leaving, adding a prospect like Lawrence (6-foot-2, 308 pounds) on Day 2 could help fill the void. He’s posted 6.5 sacks, 16 tackles for a loss and six pass breakups over the last two years.
No. 103: Minnesota S Antoine Winfield Jr.
The Panthers of course can’t use every pick on linemen, especially with such an urgent need in the defensive backfield. Winfield’s father was a three-time Pro Bowler at cornerback for the Vikings in his day and it seems he’s inherited some of those ball skills. Winfield posted an impressive seven interceptions during the 2019 season. Drafting him would give the secondary some desperately needed extra depth at safety.
No. 134: Notre Dame CB Troy Pride Jr.
Safety is only half of the problem on the back end, of course. James Bradberry was inconsistent all year and Donte Jackson was so bad he was eventually benched in favor of Ross Cockrell. Pride (5-foot-11, 194 pounds) played at a high level during Senior Bowl week. His quickness and instincts should serve him well in the NFL.
No. 164: Notre Dame WR Chase Claypool
Wide receiver might not be high on the list of the team’s needs. However, sometimes a draft class is so deep at one position it’s foolish not to at least take a flyer. The 2020 receiver class is one of those cases. Claypool brings the size (6-foot-4, 229 pounds) that the current group is missing. Last year, he caught 66 passes for Notre Dame, totaling 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns.
No. 198: North Carolina OT Charlie Heck
Another player who stood out at the Senior Bowl is Heck, who like most late-round projections is a bit raw. He checks in at an astounding 6-foot-8, 315 pounds. Heck moves surprisingly well for someone that big but he will need to work on his balance. Drafting Heck would at least give the team more options if they get decimated by injuries again up front.
