Power ranking the Panthers’ Day 3 picks during the 2021 NFL Draft

Keith Taylor – Carolina Panthers CB

• Round No. 5 – No. 156 overall

Keith Taylor was the second cornerback brought in by the Carolina Panthers following the Jaycee Horn selection at No. 8. He is another that made an impact over Senior Bowl week and there is even the possibility of moving him back to safety thanks to his size and reactions.

Much like Horn, the former Washington star is someone who thrives in press coverage. The Panthers struggled in this area in 2020 and providing both cornerbacks hit the ground running, it could make all the difference for a unit that already has two solid veterans in Donte Jackson and A.J. Bouye.

Deonte Brown – Carolina Panthers OG

• Round No. 6 – No. 193 overall

Carolina’s fanbase was demanding a dominant guard from the draft and they certainly got that with the selection of Deonte Brown. He is an absolute monster of a man and has the production to back it up, which was further enhanced by a supreme 2020 campaign for Alabama on their way to yet another national championship under Nick Saban.

Providing Brown keeps his weight down at the next level, then there is every chance he could become a Day 1 starter at right guard who could solidify a real problem area for the Panthers long term.

Daviyon Nixon – Carolina Panthers DT

• Round No. 5 – No. 158 overall

This was an absolute steal whichever way one looks at it. Daviyon Nixon was a second-round talent that somehow ended up being taken in the fifth, which was absolutely extraordinary when one considers his reputation for taking over games at Iowa.

Adding Nixon to a defensive front that also consists of Derrick Brown, DaQuan Jones, and Morgan Fox on the interior is a mouth-watering proposition. If the player can improve when it comes to stopping the run, then he might end up being the long-term partner for last year’s No. 7 overall selection.