4 prospects rising up the Panthers draft board after 2023 Senior Bowl
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers should monitor Payne Durham
- Tight End | Purdue Boilermakers
To say the Carolina Panthers need more pass-catching consistency from the tight end position would be understating things slightly. Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble just haven’t done enough, although their blocking is coming on encouragingly if nothing else.
This is something the Panthers will look to rectify either via free agency or the 2023 NFL Draft. While someone like Mike Gesicki would provide an instant upgrade, going down the draft avenue is another option given how deep the class appears in 2023.
One player that did his chances the world of good during the Senior Bowl should be surging up draft boards around the league. Payne Durham isn’t the flashiest prospect ever, but he does everything well and caught the eye with a polished overall display.
Durham’s ability to get open quickly became a tremendous red-zone asset throughout his stint at Purdue. There is a savviness about his approach that’s hard not to love and his length/frame already appears NFL-ready.
Again, this isn’t an explosive difference-maker by any stretch of the imagination. This does not detract from his well-rounded capabilities that might interest the Panthers.
Considering Durham – a one-time lacrosse star – is still learning on the fly, there’s every chance he can get better once NFL coaches begin working with him.