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

Carolina Panthers select Mike Morris

• Defensive Line | Michigan Wolverines

Derrick Brown enjoyed a phenomenal season in 2022. Matt Ioannidis was a solid complimentary piece, but whether he’s done enough for another deal before free agency remains to be seen.

Regardless of whether Ioannidis returns or not, the Carolina Panthers must improve the depth of their defensive line interior. That’s the only way to preserve consistency in the event disaster strikes on the injury front.

Mike Morris has the versatility and production that can help. Expecting the Michigan product to start right away might be a stretch, but there’s nothing to suggest he cannot make his presence felt anywhere on the defensive line if given prominent early reps.

While Morris switched to the edge with the Wolverines more often than not last season, his experience on the interior is something that could also assist the Panthers in this scenario. His hand placement is first class and matched by an aggressive instinct that allows him to enter opposing backfields almost at will.

The former three-star recruit out of high school needs to improve balance and initial power coming off the snap. If Morris can accomplish this in the coming months, then a key rotational spot in Carolina or elsewhere won’t be far behind.