Carolina Panthers 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft: Preaching patience

Carolina Panthers select Derick Hall

• Defensive End/Outside Linebacker | Auburn Tigers

Allowing Haason Reddick to leave in free agency for the Philadelphia Eagles was one of the biggest fumbles of the Matt Rhule era. This negated any consistent pass-rush opposite Brian Burns after Yetur Gross-Matos failed to capitalize on his starting chance en route to just 2.5 sacks in 2022.

Marquis Haynes is a solid rotational piece and hopes remain relatively high where Amare Barno is concerned after flashing as a rookie. However, it would be a huge error if the Carolina Panthers didn’t acquire one or two new faces to bolster this key positional group.

Again, signing productive defensive ends in free agency isn’t cheap. So the Panthers would be wise to explore the college ranks for a potential difference-maker to pair with Burns long term.

There is a lot to like about the credentials Derick Hall brings to the table. The former teammate of Carolina’s defensive tackle Derrick Brown is a forceful presence against the run, setting the edge with frequency and conviction – traits that the Panthers lacked in key moments during the previous campaign.

With 41 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 11.5 tackles for loss over his final season in college, Hall has momentum on his side. The player also has an NFL-ready physique and boasts a violent work ethic on the defensive front that’s hard not to love.