Panthers 2021 Draft: Post-Senior Bowl 7-round mock draft

Jaylen Twyman – DT (Pittsburgh)

This has been our fourth-round pick for the Carolina Panthers across recent mock drafts and will continue to be until the penny finally drops that Jaylen Twyman should go a lot higher than this. The defensive tackle is a commanding presence on the interior who loves nothing more than wreaking havoc in opposing backfields and his physical attributes look like a good fit alongside No. 7 overall selection Derrick Brown.

Twyman didn’t choose to play in 2020, which has apparently made people forget about just what a supreme disruptor he is. This is a high-value selection in no uncertain terms and one that could bring the organization a substantial amount of rewards if the Pittsburgh star reaches his ceiling.

Olaijah Griffin – CB (USC)

Another area where the Panthers are looking to tweak things is at cornerback. Donte Jackson might just be a No. 1 corner after all after a fantastic end to the campaign. But the former LSU speedster is out of contract in 2022 and another talented presence on the opposite side of the field would be welcome.

Olaijah Griffin has the aggressiveness and talent to succeed in the NFL. He is a willing contributor in the run game and thrives in press coverage, which is something Carolina really struggled with during the 2020 season.

Providing Griffin’s suspect injury history comes through the necessary medical checks – which is all part of the evaluation process – then there will be more than one team looking closely in his direction.