Carolina Panthers: 3 Clemson stars taken in 2021 mock draft sim

Carolina Panthers Draft: Tedarrell Slaton (DT) – Florida (No. 99)

Tedarrell Slaton is one of the most imposing defensive linemen coming out of college in 2021. He is listed at 6-foot-5 and 358 pounds. But in fairness to the player, he does carry it well and plays far more athletically than expected.

Slaton is a commanding presence on the line of scrimmage. This is down in no small part to his exceptional strength at the point of attack. And this makes him a forced to be reckoned with in the run game.

His ability to get in the backfield consistently is something of a problem. But Slaton did improve this area of his game in 2019 with 3.5 tackles for loss and the first two sacks of his college career with the Gators.

Another element that will need improvement at the next level from Slaton’s perspective is his balance. But he is a solid value selection in the fourth round. And this is going to be a position of need for the Carolina Panthers next spring.

They are set to part ways with veteran Pro Bowler Kawann Short unless they can reach an agreement on a restructure. The defensive tackle is set to count $20.83 million against the Panthers’ salary cap. And with agreed finances set to come down due to a lack of revenue, it is not viable for the player to get this sort of commitment on the final year of his deal.