Which way would the Carolina Panthers go with their 2023 NFL Draft selections if they got their hands on the No.1 overall selection?
It’s been one of the more dramatic weeks for any Carolina Panthers fan. And that’s saying something after a rollercoaster three years under Matt Rhule that mercifully came to a conclusion following their Week 5 hammering against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium.
Team owner David Tepper had seen enough. Most supporters had given up long before the billionaire opted to pull the plug on Rhule, who looked out of his depth in the NFL and is clearly more suited to the college ranks.
What comes next for the Panthers is unclear. Interim head coach Steve Wilks is tasked with galvanizing this talented roster, with speculation mounting about a potential fire sale if things continue trending downward before the trade deadline.
That won’t matter to Wilks, who’ll be focused on enhancing his resume and potentially entering consideration for the job long-term. If not, Carolina now has the No. 1 overall selection, which could be their chance to start fresh and form a sustained improvement plan under a new head coach.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at what the Panthers might do from No. 1 overall in our latest seven-round 2023 NFL mock draft.
Carolina Panthers select C.J. Stroud
- Quarterback | Ohio State
Baker Mayfield’s trade from the Cleveland Browns hasn’t worked out. The quarterback seems lost within Ben McAdoo’s scheme and a high ankle sprain is likely to keep him on the sidelines at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 6 to begin the Steve Wilks era.
With Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker also out of contract, the Carolina Panthers must do something to address the quarterback position. They did draft Matt Corral in 2022, but a new coach might have a completely different view of the Ole Miss product and with the first pick, the franchise won’t get a better opportunity to select a blue-chip prospect from the college ranks.
That seems harsh on Corral, but the NFL is a ruthless business and C.J. Stroud has all the intangibles needed to end the stigma surrounding Ohio State signal-callers at the next level.
Stroud has the poise, decision-making, and accuracy that catches the eye consistently. He is among the leading contenders for this year’s Heisman Trophy and might be the answer to Carolina’s prayers.
Through six games, the prospect has completed 70.6 percent of his passes for 1,737 yards, 24 touchdowns, three interceptions, and an outstanding passer efficiency rating of 207.6. Stroud isn’t classed as a dual-threat quarterback, but his elusiveness thanks to outstanding footwork in the pocket looks NFL-ready in no uncertain terms.
After Matt Rhule couldn’t come up with the right solution under center, this seems like a no-brainer. It also gives Carolina a potential franchise player on a rookie contract to build around.
Carolina Panthers select Nolan Smith
- Defensive End/Outside Linebacker | Georgia
Now that the Carolina Panthers have their quarterback of the future, getting themselves someone that can wreak havoc on opposing signal-callers should be among their top priorities. Yetur Gross-Matos hasn’t performed to the required standard after the team let Haason Reddick walk in free agency, with speculation continuing about star defensive end Brian Burns moving on for a king’s ransom before the trade deadline.
The Panthers dealing Burns – who’s their best pass-rusher by a considerable margin – would be a grave error in judgment. Even if general manager Scott Fitterer needs to recoup capital following a flurry of trade activity since replacing Marty Hurney.
If Burns departs, the hole will be gaping. One not even someone like Nolan Smith could fill.
However, pairing the Georgia standout with Burns has the look of an exceptional edge tandem that can steer the Panthers to bigger and better things moving forward.
Smith has the explosiveness to operate either as a 3-4 outside linebacker or with his hand in the dirt as a 4-3 defensive end. Although given his size and ability to assist in coverage, he’d be better suited to the second level, one suspects.
With Shaq Thompson’s contract coming into question, this looks like an ideal – and cheaper – replacement. Smith works off blockers extremely well and is always on hand to make a play when the Bulldogs need him most, traits that Carolina could use in a big way.
Carolina Panthers select Owen Pappoe
- Linebacker | Auburn
Finding a long-term solution at middle linebacker has been a constant problem for the Carolina Panthers since Luke Kuechly hung up his cleats after the 2019 season. Damien Wilson’s erratic production so far means the chances of him being extended are slim at best, so those in power must find someone capable of manning the second level via the draft if fourth-rounder Brandon Smith doesn’t progress as anticipated.
If a prospect such as Owen Pappoe is still available at this juncture, Carolina should seriously consider bringing him into the fold. The Auburn prospect’s physical attributes are absolutely off the charts and matched by athleticism that allows him to be around the football consistently.
His production matches these attributes. Pappoe has 206 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and six sacks throughout his career with the Tigers, also boasting a knack for impacting games in coverage that won’t go unnoticed by NFL scouts.
One could argue that Pappoe hasn’t reached the heights expected considering his athletic traits. He is also a little undersized for the next level which could put teams off from taking him high.
With that being said, there is a lot to go off where Pappoe is concerned. And if the Panthers do end up taking him, then it would also be wise for the organization to get Pappoe and Kuechly in the same room early and often during the player’s transition.
Carolina Panthers select Jermaine Burton
- Wide Receiver | Alabama
There are some obvious concerns about the long-term situation at wide receiver. D.J. Moore has the talent, but Robbie Anderson could be traded or cut before the 2023 NFL Draft and it remains to be seen if the likes of Terrace Marshall Jr., Shi Smith, or Laviska Shenault Jr. can step up into prominent starting positions.
What’s important for the Carolina Panthers is giving C.J. Stroud everything he needs to be successful in this scenario. Rookie quarterbacks who start right out of the gate go through some growing pains, so the more weapons he can call upon, the better.
Jermaine Burton is a prospect of interest that could end up being a steal at this stage of the draft. His transfer from Georgia to Alabama’s gone pretty smoothly with 16 receptions for 217 receiving yards and three touchdowns to date, which isn’t bad considering he’s getting much more attention from opposing defenses than the wideout ever received on the Bulldogs.
Burton was seen as a deep specialist before the 2022 season. However, the receiver’s route-running is coming on leaps and bounds and the prospect’s also impressed getting off press coverage.
Next year’s wide receiver class isn’t looking too promising compared to recent seasons. This means Burton could go much higher than this when it’s all said and done, leaving the Panthers looking at alternative options given their needs elsewhere.
Carolina Panthers select Jahleel Billingsley
- Tight End | Texas
We’ve mocked Jahleel Billingsley to the Carolina Panthers a lot. Mainly due to the high value attached and the clear need for better options moving forward.
The tight end saw his draft stock plummet after receiving a six-game suspension for something that occurred during his time at Alabama. But that is now over, Billingsley is set to take the field this weekend to give Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers yet another weapon in an explosive offense.
It will be interesting to see how the prospect integrates into the system and how many targets he’ll command. The emergence of sophomore Ja’Tavion Sanders could jeopardize his chances of instant involvement, but Billingsley has far too much talent to be completely ignored.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian declared his delight about getting Billingsley into the fold. Something that could see the Longhorns get even more creative in terms of their scheme.
"“Yeah, it’s great to have Jahleel back. It’s just another addition for us. We’re at our best offensively when we can do a lot of really good things because that makes us harder to defend. We’ve got a multitude of personnel groupings, formations, motion shifts, things of that nature. I think Jahleel can just add to that, and it should not take away from JT (Sanders) at all. JT is a fantastic player and has earned the opportunities that he’s getting in our offense.”"
Billingsley was tabbed as a potential second-round pick before this unfortunate turn of events. His road to redemption starts now and if the Panthers had any sense, they would be casting a very close eye on developments.
Carolina Panthers select DeMarcco Hellams
- Safety | Alabama
While the safety tandem of Jeremy Chinn and Xavier Woods impressed over the early stages of the campaign, the Carolina Panthers have no reliable depth behind the starting duo. Sean Chandler’s days are likely numbered after his former college coach Matt Rhule was dismissed, with Myles Hartsfield and Sam Franklin nothing more than rotational pieces at best that can easily be replaced.
The Panthers aren’t blessed with much draft capital and have more pressing needs. So the onus will be on general manager Scott Fitterer to do what he does best – finding late-round gems that can immediately assist.
DeMarcco Hellams has the physicality that could interest Carolina. He loves coming down into the box and making an impact against the run, with the Alabama prospect also capable of making his presence felt by rushing the passer on blitz packages.
Hellams has the size and frame that already looks NFL-ready. His football IQ is something in keeping with a defensive back operating in Nick Saban’s system and there is a lot to like about his man coverage skills for good measure.
There is some work for Hellams to do in zone packages. Technical improvements will also be needed for the next level if the player doesn’t want to become a liability from an infringement standpoint.
Carolina Panthers select Zacch Pickens
- Defensive Line | South Carolina
Adding to the defensive line is something the Carolina Panthers should contemplate. Derrick Brown looks like the stud he was drafted to be, but Matt Ioannidis is out of contract and the likes of Bravvion Roy, Daviyon Nixon, and Phil Hoskins might be on the outside looking in depending on how new coaches see their progress.
The Panthers have looked towards South Carolina’s program for draft prospects in recent years. If this is a trend that continues despite the absence of Matt Rhule from the decision-making process, then Zacch Pickens is a player to monitor.
Pickens is an outstanding mover for a man his size and has the bulk to cope with bigger, more imposing offensive linemen at the next level. This makes him a solid anchor in the run game, but the player also boasts surprising quickness to close down in short spaces that enhance his overall impact on any given down.
As is normally the case with prospects lower down the pecking order, Pickens has some flaws. Hand placement proves to be his undoing on occasions and the defensive lineman must also refine his pass-rushing moves to stand a better chance of maximizing some obvious skills.
Despite these concerns, Pickens represents a low-risk, high-reward pickup by the Panthers. One that could bear fruit in the long run.