Carolina Panthers 2021 NFL Draft: 7 round non-QB mock draft

Daviyon Nixon – DT (Iowa)

The Carolina Panthers made the right pick with Derrick Brown at No. 7 overall despite the temptation to go with linebacker Isaiah Simmons in 2020. The defensive tackle overcame some early growing pains to become a real force on the interior and the sky is the limit for the former Auburn standout if he continues to develop in the coming years.

Brown could do with a longer-term partner alongside him, even though Zach Kerr and fellow rookie Bravvion Roy have shown promise this season. Daviyon Nixon is a versatile and athletic lineman who fits the bill in no uncertain terms and he is worth an extremely close look in the mid-rounds.

Kolby Harvell-Peel – S (Oklahoma State)

Both Tre Boston and Juston Burris will be nervously looking over their shoulders when it’s time for the Panthers to decide who to keep around next spring. Neither safety has covered themselves in glory in 2020 and it might be time to go with a more youthful approach that is more in keeping with the current direction of the organization.

Kolby Harvell-Peel makes a ton of sense for Carolina in this spot. He is a hard-hitting prospect that has a substantial amount of upside once he gets to the next level.

There are some things Harvell-Peel needs to work on – most notably in coverage situations – but his athleticism and big-play ability is something the Panthers coveted heavily in the draft last year and it would be a surprise if they went away from this next time around.