The 2020 NFL draft is now just two and a half weeks away. It will come as a welcome distraction for sports fans who have been denied the joy that live competition brings over the last several weeks.
We have gone through a number of different mock draft scenarios so far and to be perfectly honest we’re running out of ideas, so this might be our last mock of 2020. The strategy here was to hit as many roster holes as possible with some prospects who haven’t been connected to the Panthers much. Here’s how our latest seven-round mock draft played out.
No. 7: Louisville OT Mekhi Becton
Yes, Russell Okung will be starting at left tackle for Carolina this year. However, first-round draft picks should be all about the future. Once Okung is gone, the team will be back to square one with no proven starter on the blind side. Becton (6-foot-7, 368 pounds) is arguably this year’s top offensive tackle prospect. He wins with a potent blend of power, smoothness and reach and also has experience at right tackle, offering plus versatility.
No. 38: TCU DT Ross Blacklock
With Dontari Poe, Gerald McCoy and Vernon Butler all gone, Carolina desperately needs to reload the interior of the defensive line. Blacklock (6-foot-4, 305 pounds) totaled 5.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for a loss over the last two seasons. He has drawn comparisons to McCoy, so that should be an obvious appeal for the Panthers.
No. 69: Utah CB Jaylon Johnson
Cornerback is the one spot that the team needs to upgrade more than any other this offseason. The best selling point for Johnson (six-foot, 195 pounds) is his ball skills – he totaled seven interceptions and 21 pass breakups during his college career. The Panthers need their corner pick to start Week 1 and Johnson should be up for that challenge. He comes from a Utah program that excels at producing pro-ready defensive backs.
No. 113: Michigan St. EDGE Kenny Willekes
Right now, Brian Burns looks pretty lonely at the top of the team’s depth chart at the EDGE position. With veterans Mario Addison and Bruce Irvin both gone, they’ll need to add an impact pass rusher at some point. Willekes (6-foot-4, 260 pounds) got better every year at Michigan State. He posted 23.5 sacks and 49 tackles for a loss in 40 college games.
No. 148: Wyoming LB Logan Wilson
The retirement of Luke Kuechly will hang heavy over this team no matter what they do. Signing Tahir Whitehead will help some, but adding more linebacker depth in the middle rounds is a good idea. Wilson (6-foot-2, 250 pounds) offers a lot of experience and versatility with the ability to play safety, as well. At Wyoming, he managed 10 interceptions, 14 pass breakups, seven sacks, 34.5 tackles for a loss and five forced fumbles.
No. 152: Texas WR Devin Duvernay
By now it should be obvious the Panthers are serious about fielding an elite wide receiver corps. Picking Duvernay (5-foot-11, 210 pounds) here would keep up the multiple speed threat theme they have going. At the combine, he ran a 4.3-second 40-yard dash. As a senior, Duvernay caught 106 passes, totaling 1,386 yards and nine touchdowns.
No. 184: Missouri OL Yasir Durant
With Trai Turner and Greg Van Roten both out of the picture, guard has become a serious need for the Panthers offense. Like Becton, Durant is a massive physical specimen, weighing in at 6-foot-7, 330 pounds. He also has experience playing both guard and tackle. There’s some documented interest here too, as the team met with Durant at the combine.
No. 221: North Carolina S Myles Dorn
Let’s close out this mock with a local prospect to add depth to the back end of the defense. With Eric Reid released, the Panthers need to find someone who can backup Tre Boston and Juston Burris. Dorn (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) is a bit raw but he could develop into a respectable starter some day. He posted two interceptions each of the last three years for the Tar Heels.
