Carolina Panthers 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft: Strike it lucky edition
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers select Zach Harrison
- Defensive End | Ohio State Buckeyes
Brian Burns has enjoyed a standout campaign en route to double-digit sacks and a second-straight Pro Bowl honor. These accomplishments are made even more impressive considering the lack of pass-rushing presence opposite the former Florida State star.
The Carolina Panthers haven’t gotten nearly enough from Yetur Gross-Matos after his promotion to a starting role. Marquis Haynes Sr. continues to shine on a rotational basis, but the reluctance to throw him in as the starter indicates this is probably where he’s best suited moving forward.
Finding someone capable of wreaking havoc alongside Burns is paramount. Zach Harrison‘s numbers might not jump off the page from his time at Ohio State, but it shouldn’t put teams off from making him a top-100 selection this spring.
Harrison is a former five-star high school recruit that possesses ridiculous athleticism for a man his size. He is sure to test extremely well at the NFL Scouting Combine and already boasts an NFL-ready frame that could further smooth his adjustment to the next level.
The defensive end is fast, physical, and can shed blocks easily. His frame also takes up double teams extremely well, which frees up space for others on the front seven to do damage.
Despite this upside, the Panthers would be banking on his physical attributes rather than college production. There is some rawness to his technique and run stopping also needs brushing up over the initial stages of Harrison’s development.