Extremely early Carolina Panthers 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft

Carolina Panthers select Arik Gilbert

• Tight End/Wide Receiver | Georgia

All eyes will be on Arik Gilbert this season after the tight end turned wide receiver will finally see the field after transfering from LSU to Georgia last year. This has the potential to be a real game-changer for the player and the Bulldogs, which is thanks in no small part to the outstanding physical attributes he brings to the table.

Whether or not Gilbert can prove he is better suited to the wideout role than a tight end remains to be seen. But either position could be a need for the Carolina Panthers next spring.

Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble are getting an audition for more involvement under Ben McAdoo next season. And hopes haven’t been extinguished for a wide receiver room that failed to meet expectations outside of D.J. Moore in 2021.

Gilbert is not blessed with elite speed, but his 6-foot-5 frame makes him a supreme force across the middle or in red-zone situations. He is also making up for some lost time having missed the entire 2021 campaign due to personal reasons.

The Panthers and others across the league will be watching Gilbert’s progress extremely closely. If he reaches or perhaps even exceeds the level expected, then the playmaker will be one of the hottest name’s around during the draft evaluation process.