Panthers 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft: Worst-case scenario edition

Carolina Panthers draft Luke Musgrave

• Tight End | Oregon State Beavers

Outside of quarterback, the Carolina Panthers’ biggest need on the offensive side of the ball is tight end. They feature a unit of Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble that underwhelmed significantly in 2022, leaving the franchise without a true No. 1 threat at the position that has yet to succeed its predecessor, Greg Olsen.

In this mock draft, that changes for the better with the selection of the raw, yet talented, Luke Musgrave. At the Senior Bowl earlier this month, the Oregon State product showed why he was a projected top prospect at his position.

When you consider a player of Musgrave’s size – 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds — you may not expect him to move as easily and smoothly as he does. He offers an awesome combination of size and athleticism that made teams and football media giddy when watching the prospect move in the open field versus opposing linebackers and running backs.

While Musgrave is inexperienced and needs to improve his functional strength at the point of attack, the talent is obvious to see. I could see him becoming a great security blanket in the near future for whoever becomes the Panthers starting quarterback, even if those in power might have to go down a different path under center without a first-rounder to call upon.