Panthers 7-round 2023 mock draft: What would Carolina do from No. 7?

Carolina Panthers select Demarvion Overshown

• Linebacker | Texas

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what the other big need for the Carolina Panthers might be in 2023. Finding a long-term solution at middle linebacker is a necessity for the front office, although there remains some hope that Brandon Smith can emerge from a development project into a valuable contributor as the campaign goes on.

Damien Wilson has been inconsistent at best to start the season, but his production improved dramatically in Week 3 after a slow start. With that being said, it’s unlikely he’ll be the long-term successor to Luke Kuechly, who remains sorely missed three years after his shock retirement due to health issues.

If the Panthers decide to get some with high upside from the college ranks, then Demarvion Overshown is well worth a look at this stage. The Texas linebacker is a leader of men, boasting the sideline-to-sideline capabilities that could make him an instant hit in Carolina.

Overshown’s racked up six sacks, 24 tackles for loss, and 182 tackles over his college career to date. His violent hands are something that set him apart and there is enough explosiveness to generate pressure going up against bigger, more imposing offensive linemen at the next level.

While the prospect is a little undersized with work needed from a tackling standpoint, there is a lot to work with where Overshown is concerned. If he’s still on the board by this point, it could be a tremendous steal.