Carolina Panthers 2021 Draft: Projecting the top-32 big board

Teven Jenkins – OT (Oklahoma State)

Don’t let Teven Jenkins and his calm exterior fool you, the offensive tackle is a cold-blooded killer protecting the edge and is a first-round lock in the mid-to-late round. The prospect comes with a lot of plug-and-play qualities and ruthless aggression that more than one NFL team is going to fall in love with.

Javonte Williams – RB (North Carolina)

This might be a little high for some people, but Javonte Williams is going to be the best running back from this draft class and one that warrants first-round consideration. His numbers at North Carolina were extraordinary despite splitting carries, so there is just no telling what they would have looked like had he been given a bell-cow role elsewhere.

Williams is a dual-threat weapon out of the backfield that can break off big yardage at will. There is a reluctance to take running backs in the first round unless they are truly elite, so it might result in someone getting a prominent playmaker early in Round 2.

Zaven Collins – LB (Tulsa)

As stated previously, the Carolina Panthers could do with someone occupying the middle linebacker position with the same ferocity as Luke Kuechly moving forward. That will be hard to find, but if Zaven Collins makes it to No. 39 overall, a discussion needs to be had.

This isn’t the glaring need it once was thanks to the signing of Denzel Perryman. But Collins is athletic, physical, and has enough burst to become a prolific sideline-to-sideline threat in the NFL.

Azeez Ojulari – DE/OLB (Georgia)

Although Azzez Ojulari is something of a gamble in the first round, his unique blend of explosiveness and athleticism makes him an attractive, high upside option. The Georgia edge rusher can line up as an outside linebacker or with his hand in the dirt as a defensive end, and although some development is needed from a technical standpoint, there is a lot to work with.

Greg Newsome II – CB (Northwestern)

As the old saying goes, speed kills. However, this is not something that is restricted to the offensive side of the field.

Greg Newsome is an outstanding cornerback prospect will elite burst that is capable of going down the field with even the quickest receiver. Not only that, he has some intriguing reactions and can also tackle well in space, which makes him a high-value pick in the late first round.