4 prospects in play if Carolina Panthers trade down from No. 8
By Dean Jones
Zaven Collins – LB (Tulsa)
Although the Carolina Panthers got some solid production from linebacker Jermaine Carter once he was introduced into the lineup, they could still use some additional depth at the second level despite the impending returns of Christian Miller and undrafted free-agent Jordan Mack.
Carter has probably done enough to compete for the job in 2021 after patching up his differences with head coach Matt Rhule. But if the Panthers do end up moving backward from No. 8 overall with a view to gaining more selections, then someone with the skill set of Zaven Collins is sure to enter their thoughts.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner is a dominant physical presence that can do it all. Collins is formidable in run support, is superb in coverage, and has the necessary burst to get in opposing backfields at will.
His time as a quarterback in high school makes him incredibly aware as a linebacker spy – which is something the Panthers sorely missed following Luke Kuechly’s retirement – and he has all the physical attributes that Carolina sought heavily during their recruitment process last year.
If Micah Parsons is the No. 1 linebacker in this year’s class, then Collins isn’t far behind. He has an incredibly high ceiling and is a sure-fire plug and play starter once he gets to the next level.