Panthers 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft: Swinging big edition

Carolina Panthers draft Warren McClendon

• Offensive Line | Georgia Bulldogs

With the last pick, the Carolina Panthers go with offensive tackle Warren McClendon from Georgia. At pick No. 200, the prospect brings value as a depth piece who can develop at his own pace behind Taylor Moton and Ikem Ekwonu.

The Bulldogs won back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. Even though several players made a bigger impact on those teams, McClendon has a championship pedigree under his belt.

McClendon is very unpolished as he needs coaching to improve footwork and sticking to blocks. But when he does get his hands on a defender, the lineman does a solid job opening running lanes and protecting the quarterback.

He is physical downfield as a run blocker. This is something the Panthers will need despite some additional creativity on offense under Frank Reich and Thomas Brown.

This mock draft, filled with picks at skill positions or with high athletic ability, ends with a selection of an offensive lineman who will provide depth in an area that will need it once Cameron Erving’s contract expires this spring. In a sport so physically grueling, every team needs multiple options on the offensive line depth chart.