5 high-value draft picks the Carolina Panthers could steal in 2021
By Dean Jones
Kenny Yeboah – TE (Ole Miss)
Although there are growing calls for the Carolina Panthers to take a good look at Kyle Pitts if he makes to No. 8, head coach Matt Rhule has stated his belief that there could be a steal at the tight end spot later on in the draft that might be more preferable.
Pitts is a once-in-a-generation talent. But it would be a big call for the Panthers to make considering their needs for a prolific left tackle and a franchise-changing quarterback.
Rhule has shown a clear desire to bring in the top prospects he’s coached in college both in free agency and in his first draft process last time around. If this is a direction Carolina chooses to go down once again, then Kenny Yeboah is someone that might enter their conversations as a late-round pick.
Yeboah played under Rhule at Temple before transferring to Ole Miss for the 2020 season, where he enjoyed the best statistical year of his fledgling career by a considerable margin.
In just seven games due to COVID-19, the prospect brought in 27 receptions for 524 receiving yards and six touchdowns, displaying the sort of route-running and pass-catching prowess that won’t have gone unnoticed by NFL evaluators.
The Panthers did sign Dan Arnold to a team-friendly deal in free agency. But if they could get their hands on a physical presence who does the majority of his damage over the middle such as Yeboah, it has the potential to give Carolina a productive tight end tandem they just didn’t have in 2020.