5 prospects that might tempt the Panthers to go defense in Round 1

Carolina Panthers could draft Nakobe Dean

Finding a long-term successor for Luke Kuechly has been a constant source of frustration for the Carolina Panthers since the perennial All-Pro stepped away from the gridiron. Tahir Whitehead was a dismal failure and Jermaine Carter’s inconsistent 2021 season could result in the organization looking for another potential starter with the Maryland product out of contract.

With trading down from No. 6 overall a real possibility to acquire additional draft capital, the Panthers could look to the college ranks for a player that can solidify a problem position for the next decade barring injury.

If the Panthers go forward with this train of thought, then Nakobe Dean is someone that warrants serious consideration. The prospect enters the evaluation process after contributing significantly to Georgia‘s convincing national championship triumph, anchoring a defense that was the country’s best with NFL-caliber talent everywhere you look.

Dean has it all. He is a force against the run, can assist in coverage, and has the intelligence to marshall the entire defensive unit for good measure.

This is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker that could be the favorite to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year depending on where he ends up. Replicating Kuechly’s production in Carolina is almost an impossible task – but that doesn’t mean Dean wouldn’t be an incredible fit in a real position of need.