Ranking the Panthers’ top-5 DT options in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Will Burns
Alim McNeill – NC State
Alim McNeill is definitely an intriguing prospect for the Carolina Panthers. He made a substantial impression at NC State and even played high school football in North Carolina, making him a homegrown product that would be a popular selection.
The interior lineman has nice athleticism for a defensive tackle, which stems from having experience playing as a linebacker and running back in high school. McNeill is considered more of a pure run stopper than a pass rusher, so that also gives incentive for the Panthers to use a pick on him to try and help fix this issue after they decided to release Kawann Short and Zach Kerr ahead of time.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 317 pounds, he has good size to succeed in the NFL. McNeill uses a nice combination of power and athleticism to shed blocks and fill running lanes. His most likely fit in the NFL will be a first and second-down run stopper.
McNeill leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to getting after the quarterback. But he has enough skill to work with.
His arms are also short for a defensive tackle, but McNeill can make up for that with his athleticism. Currently, he is a projected third-round pick, but he could go as early as the second if a team takes a shine to him.
If McNeill is on the board come rounds three and four, the Panthers should not hesitate to grab a hometown native.