5 draft prospects Ejiro Evero might want for the Panthers defense in 2023
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers could draft Gervon Dexter Sr.
- Defensive Line | Florida Gators
As Shaq Thompson stated on his Twitter account this week, moving to a 3-4 base defense is an exciting prospect for the Carolina Panthers – providing they have the defensive line to pull it off. Something that Ejiro Evero will look to mold with current roster figures and new additions before OTAs.
Much will depend on whether the Panthers place Brian Burns as a 3-4 defensive end or standing up on the outside. One suspects it might be the latter, which leaves only Derrick Brown as a legitimate threat on the front three if Matt Ioannidis isn’t retained.
This makes strengthing the defensive anchor all the more important. And looking at the skill set Gervon Dexter brings to the table, he’s well worth a look.
There is much debate among analysts about where Dexter will be drafted. Mock drafts have him anywhere from the late first to the third round depending on which ones you read, which obviously means a waiting game for the Panthers considering their desire for a new quarterback.
Dexter stands at 6-foot-6 and 303 pounds, making him the perfect size to become a 3-4 defensive end. His presence against the run is formidable and this is matched by heavy hands that can overwhelm opposing offensive linemen at any given turn.
The Florida product doesn’t have elite explosiveness and needs to bolster his pass-rushing repertoire. But slotting Dexter next to Brown could be worth its weight in gold within Evero’s dynamic scheme.