Panthers 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft: Changing places edition

Carolina Panthers draft Demarvion Overshown

• Linebacker | Texas

There are some questions about what the Carolina Panthers are going to do at linebacker in 2023. One could make a case for everyone apart from Frankie Luvu being on the chopping block, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see big changes at the second level once again.

One thing the Panthers need is a formidable presence on the interior. Rookie linebacker Brandon Smith made some plays before his season was cut short by injury, which complicates his assessment in pursuit of more involvement next time around.

In this scenario, Carolina moves up slightly to select Demarvion Overshown, the supremely forceful Texas linebacker who’s come on leaps and bounds in 2022.

While the Longhorns didn’t hit the heights many envisaged before the season, this shouldn’t apply to Overshown. His 96 tackles, four sacks, and 10 tackles for loss represented another step in a positive direction for the player, who was a four-star recruit coming out of high school that can fill any spot across the linebacking corps.

Overshown has the explosiveness to be a threat rushing the passer. This natural speed also makes him an asset against the run, although his lack of size might be an issue against more imposing runners or offensive lines initially.