The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama (Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET) is the true beginning of the NFL draft season and a time when more accurate mock drafts are starting to take shape.
So, we came up with a new mock where we were limited to only players taking part in the Senior Bowl. Here is how the Panthers made out.
7. Javon Kinlaw: DT, South Carolina
While Derrick Brown seems to be the consensus favorite among defensive tackles, he is not in Mobile and is therefore ineligible for this particular exercise. Fortunately, Kinlaw is available and there is no question he’ll make an instant impact for whichever team drafts him. He was so dominant early this week that he sat out after only a couple days of practice, having already proved himself. Kinlaw is easily the top player in Mobile and is working his way up to a potential top-10 selection.
38. Jalen Hurts: QB, Oklahoma
The Panthers might be in the market for a new quarterback with a different coaching staff coming in. Hurts’ arm certainly needs some work and he still has to make some adjustments in his mechanics. However, his upside and mobility will certainly be tempting for this team. Hurts was voted one of the South Squad’s practice players of the week by his peers.
69. Matthew Peart: OT, Connecticut
The Panthers need help along their offensive line and Peart’s skill-set would enable them to make some interesting changes. He has the size of a pro right tackle, coming in at over 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds. If Carolina winds end up drafting Peart perhaps Matt Rhule’s staff will consider kicking Taylor Moton inside to left guard, filling one of the team’s holes up front.
103. K’Von Wallace: S, Clemson
The Panthers need an influx of youth in the secondary, so taking Wallace in the fourth round would not be the worst pick in the world. He has been putting in good work this week in coverage. Wallace has had to match up against great receivers but he’s held his own. Unfortunately, Wallace won’t play in the Senior Bowl due to a hamstring injury from the national title game, per Tom Pelissero at NFL Network.
134. Denzel Mims: WR, Baylor
Mims made plays all year for Matt Rhule’s Baylor team and has been one of the shining stars in an outstanding receiver group in Mobile. How long he stays as a fifth-round value remains to be seen, but Mims joining D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel would give new offensive coordinator Joe Brady plenty of dynamic tools to work with.
164. Troy Pride Jr.: CB, Notre Dame
Pride (5-foot-11, 194 pounds) boosted his stock this week, proving he can be a solid nickel corner even against excellent competition. The Panthers will be looking to reload at the position, especially if they decide not to bring back pending free agent Javien Elliott. Pride posted four interceptions and 18 pass breakups during his time at Notre Dame.
198. Dane Jackson, CB, Pittsburgh
The Panthers double up at the cornerback position here by picking Jackson, another DB having himself a good week. He’s starting to answer some questions that scouts may have had about his abilities going in. Jackson has had some strong reps in one-on-one action and should have plenty of chances to prove himself during the game.
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