Panthers 2021 Draft: OL takes focus in latest 7-round mock
By Dean Jones
Landon Dickerson – OG (Alabama)
Another Alabama prospect, anyone?
The Carolina Panthers are set to make some big changes on their offensive line before competitive action begins in 2021. This was an underperforming area of the field outside of stud right tackle Taylor Moton and getting better protection for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater or a possible replacement is going to be crucial.
Landon Dickerson fits the bill in no uncertain terms. He is strong as an ox and possesses surprising mobility for a man his size. The lineman has the scope to be a plug and play starter once he gets to the NFL and enters the league brimming on confidence following an outstanding campaign for the Crimson Tide in 2020.
Daniel Faalele – OT (Minnesota)
It’s not just the offensive line interior that needs some work. The Panthers are on the lookout for a better solution at left tackle with veteran Russell Okung’s $13 million in base salary coming off the books, and it is unlikely that the left tackle will be brought back given how unreliable he’s been from a health perspective this season.
Someone like Daniel Faalele represents solid value here. He is a huge body at 6-foot-8 and 400-pounds but comes with fluid movement and agility that almost seems incomprehensible for a player this big.
He is still a relative puppy when it comes to playing the position having converted from rugby two years ago. This makes Faalele’s ceiling enormously high and would be another exciting addition to Carolina if they chose to go in this particular direction.