Panthers 2021 NFL Draft: Building through the trenches in latest mock
By Dean Jones
Creed Humphrey – OG (Oklahoma)
The Carolina Panthers have some problems to solve on their offensive line. One could make a case for up to four of their five starters being replaced during the offseason and this is not counting the contract situation surrounding right tackle Taylor Moton.
Someone like Creed Humphrey makes a ton of sense here. The versatile lineman can play at center or at the guard spot, with his background in wrestling a huge factor in his ability to potentially becoming a plug and play starter once he gets to the NFL.
Humphrey’s communication and intelligence on the field are outstanding. This represents a real area of need for the Panthers and the Oklahoma standout is a high-value pick in the second round.
Jackson Carman – OT (Clemson)
It doesn’t appear as if the injury-plagued Russell Okung’s stay in Carolina will last more than one season. His $13 million in base salary is coming off the books this offseason and would obviously be better spent elsewhere considering how little the veteran Pro Bowler has been on the field.
Jackson Carman has the potential to be his long-term replacement at left tackle. He has done well protecting Trevor Lawrence’s blindside at Clemson over the last couple of years, possessing the hand placement and footwork that should make an easy transition to the pros.
Carman is a mountain of a man with the aggression to match. Chase Young gave him endless problems in 2019 – which is a potential problem – but there is a lot to like about the film he’s generated during his time with the Tigers.