Carolina Panthers 4-round 2023 NFL mock draft: Bye week edition

Carolina Panthers select Daiyan Henley

• Linebacker | Washington State

Linebacker is a key need this coming offseason for the Carolina Panthers. Veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson could see himself on the open market as a potential cap casualty to allow the front office more financial flexibility given they are around $8.3 million in the red currently.

This leaves Frankie Luvu and rookie Brandon Smith as the Panthers’ top two players at linebacker. Not an ideal situation to be in if you’re general manager Scott Fitterer heading into the 2023 season.

If the Panthers choose to stick with Luvu and Smith, they’ll need depth and a potential sub-package player to add to that group. Why not go in the direction of Daiyen Henley?

Henley was one of the top defensive playmakers for the Washington State Cougars this season. A former wide receiver and defensive back, his athleticism is easy to see as he offers a great first step into gaps and alleys while displaying fluid hips and quickness in coverage.

The Wazzu linebacker is a raw prospect due to his inexperience at the position. However, Henley is an explosive tackler and that should help with his lack of mass early on as he continues to grow and develop at the next level.

In some ways, Henley is very similar to Smith when he came out of Penn State last year. His traits are worth taking a chance on in the mid-rounds of the NFL Draft while adding more talent and depth to a position that needs it in Carolina.