The 2020 NFL draft is one week away. That means we are mercifully coming to the end of the season of speculation.
Throughout most of the offseason, the same three names have been connected to the Carolina Panthers in a lot of national media mock drafts: Auburn DT Derrick Brown, Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons and South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw. They are all fine prospects who would fill significant holes for a floundering defense. However, there’s no guarantee they will be available at No. 7.
Every year, the draft is filled with twists and turns like any one-score game and very few people outside the actual draft rooms themselves get it right when it comes to predicting what’s going to happen. Let’s take a look at a few names who the team might consider selecting in the first round who aren’t named Brown, Kinlaw or Simmons.
Here are five potential surprise picks for the Panthers this year.
Baylor WR Denzel Mims
We know coach Matt Rhule really likes his guys and the Panthers have already signed several former Temple players. Mims (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) is the best 2020 prospect who played for Rhule last year at Baylor. He’s also one of the top wide receivers in a deep class of them. In 2019, he posted 66 catches, 1,020 yards and 12 touchdowns. Picking Mims at No. 7 would be a reach, but if they’re moving down into the teens to add more picks, Mims could be right in their range.
Florida CB CJ Henderson
Another player who might be targeted if the Panthers trade down from No. 7 is Henderson. Over the last couple of weeks, his stock has been rising and many analysts now believe Carolina is targeting him in the top 10. It’s possible it’s all a smoke screen. Henderson (6-foot-1, 202 pounds) is a strong prospect, but like Donte Jackson he bites too often on underneath routes and can be exploited. However, he also has a lot of potential and could grow into a special defender at the next level.
Oregon QB Justin Herbert
Rhule would not rule out picking a quarterback early when he spoke with the media last week. If they are targeting a new potential franchise QB, Herbert (6-foot-6, 237 pounds) is the third best option in this class behind Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa. Marty Hurney also went out of his way to watch Herbert throw at his pro day. Like the team’s last QB1, Herbert has a lot of arm talent to spare and can get things done with his legs, as well. He scored 13 rushing touchdowns at Oregon on top of 95 with his arm.
Alabama OT Jedrick Wills
There are four top consensus offensive tackles in this draft class and it will be tough to go wrong picking any of them. Wills (6-foot-5, 320 pounds) might have the highest ceiling among the four, though. If the Panthers are planning to move on from right tackle Taylor Moton, Wills would be the best replacement they’re going to get in this class. He’s a true mauler in the run game and also has a connection with quarterbacks coach Jake Peetz.
Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy
Another Alabama prospect who has spent time working with Peetz is Jeudy, who is considered by most analysts to be the second-best receiver in this class behind Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb. Jeudy (6-foot-1, 192 pounds) met with the Panthers at the combine, where he posted a 4.45 second 40-yard dash and a 35 inch vertical. Over the last two years, he caught 24 touchdowns in a loaded offense.
