What should the Carolina Panthers do with their selections in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft following their blockbuster trade on Friday?
Talk about a blockbuster trade.
On Friday, the Carolina Panthers made their move. They traded up with the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft in exchange for star wide receiver D.J. Moore, No. 9 overall, No. 61 overall, a 2024 first-round pick, and a 2025 second-rounder.
It is a massive haul in the Panthers’ efforts to find the franchise’s future at quarterback. With the move, it is all but sure that the team is likely taking what they believe is their future starter for the next 10-15 years at the sport’s most important position.
One of the biggest stories from this deal is Moore being sent off to the Bears and the team sacrificing their top offensive playmaker. The former 2018 first-round selection from Maryland was a fan favorite and would’ve been a vital part of the soon-to-be rookie quarterback’s development.
The Bears in return will be getting a true No. 1 receiver for their young franchise signal-caller, Justin Fields.
What is next for the Panthers? They hold all the cards to the NFL Draft for the first time since 2011. Is there a Cam Newton or Joe Burrow in this class? No, but this team has options with who they want to take at No. 1.
This is a unique situation that this organization is in, and using the NFL Mock Draft Database simulator, I provide my predictive scenario of what I think could happen when Roger Goodell announces that the Panthers are officially on the clock.
Without further ado, here is my most recent mock draft of the offseason.
Carolina Panthers select C.J. Stroud
- Quarterback | Ohio State Buckeyes
The Carolina Panthers sit at No. 1 overall with two choices. Draft one of either C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, and Anthony Richardson, or trade back one spot with the Houston Texans to acquire extra draft capital.
In this scenario, I stick with the current favorite to be the first player drafted.
One thing Frank Reich values in his quarterbacks is accuracy, and Stroud is arguably the most accurate player at his position in this year’s draft. He throws passes with great ball placement and trajectory, putting the right amount of velocity and pace to whichever level of the field he throws to.
Ohio State’s star signal-caller is also an incredibly smart player who understands what he sees both pre-snap and post-snap. Stroud can move defenders with his eyes and has shown the escapability and mobility that make you feel like you’re watching Joe Burrow start for the Buckeyes in an alternate reality.
The biggest concern with Stroud potentially becoming the newest signal-caller in Carolina is the lack of adequate starting talent at the skill positions for the time being. With D.J. Moore gone, free agency and the draft will be critical for Scott Fitterer to surround his chosen rookie with plenty of capable starters.
Even so, the thought of finally getting a young franchise quarterback must excite the fans and the Panthers organization. There is not a lot wrong they can do here, especially if they draft Stroud.
Carolina Panthers select Luke Musgrave
- Tight End | Oregon State Beavers
Following the Carolina Panthers trade for the No. 1 pick that sent D.J. Moore to the Chicago Bears, it is important that the front office finds enough skilled talent this offseason to surround their future franchise quarterback. C.J. Stroud, in this scenario.
I believe that if you are drafting a quarterback high in the first round, you better get a security blanket to go with him either through the open market or the player selection process. Here, the Panthers decide to make Luke Musgrave that stable pass-catching presence.
There is already a lot to like with the tight end. At the Senior Bowl, Musgrave impressed teams with the amount of fluidity and burst he displayed at 6-foot-6 and 253 pounds. He’s shown the ability to high-point balls at the catch point while getting chunk yards after the catch.
No-doubt that Musgrave has the potential to be a star at the tight-end position. He will need playing time and continued growth from a strength and football IQ standpoint while developing more separation skills to beat defenders in man and zone coverage, but the talent is there.
While Musgrave may not make a big-time impact in his rookie campaign, years two and three could see him take the next step of being Carolina’s true successor to Greg Olsen.
Carolina Panthers select Cedric Tillman
- Wide Receiver | Tennessee Volunteers
No matter who the Carolina Panthers sign or draft this offseason, I believe D.J. Moore’s absence will have a decent-sized effect on this offense. He was not just the No. 1 receiver, but also their top playmaker overall in the post-Christian McCaffrey era. It will be hard to replicate his skill set and impact.
Even so, the team must find replacements. In this mock draft scenario, I wait until the back end of Round No. 3 to select former Tennessee receiver, Cedric Tillman.
When watching Tillman’s film, there’s plenty to like. He possesses ample ball skills, good body control in terms of making grabs on the boundary and making adjustments at the catch point, and a physical temperament that wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson would likely appreciate.
I was impressed with how well Tillman could move. While there will likely be an adjustment period as it pertains to college-to-pro transition from Tennessee’s offense, the former three-star high school recruit can make an early impact as a rotational No. 3 receiver with the ceiling to be a potential starting receiver in the “Z” role.
This was the role that Terrace Marshall Jr. was likely to bestow before Moore’s trade. Something that will pile additional pressure on the LSU product entering Year 3 of his professional career.
Carolina Panthers select Zach Evans
- Running Back | Ole Miss Rebels
It is unclear how D’Onta Foreman’s market will play out over the next several days, leaving to the possibility that the former Texas Longhorn could test free agency and leave another hole at an offensive skill position.
While there are plenty of options to choose from in free agency, there are certainly many in this year’s NFL Draft with one of the best running back classes in several years. This is headlined by Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs with a lot of other names to choose from on Day 2 and 3 of the draft.
With this mock draft scenario, Carolina begins Day 3 with the selection of the incredibly gifted Zach Evans, a former five-star high school recruit who has spent time at TCU and Ole Miss.
Despite losing the starting job to an uber-talented freshman, Quinshon Judkins, there is a lot to like about Evans. He’s a big play waiting to happen, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He offers a second and third gear to run away from defenses and displays good vision and patience to find open creases behind the line of scrimmage.
Evans is a runner who could be a “diamond in the rough” type of pick for any team that selects him. As a potential fit in Frank Reich’s rushing attack, this could be a nice successor should Foreman leave the Carolina Panthers.
Carolina Panthers select K.J. Henry
- Defensive End/Outside Linebacker | Clemson Tigers
I’m not entirely sure what the Carolina Panthers will do at 3-4 outside linebacker and at the five-technique role in Ejiro Evero’s defense. From the looks of it, they might have their starting duo secured with Brian Burns and Frankie Luvu.
I do believe that Evero could use a versatile chess piece along the front seven that can play as either a stand-up rusher or with his hand in the dirt as a five-tech or 3-4 defensive end. That player could be K.J. Henry.
In the young history of the Panthers, the franchise has never selected a player from the Clemson Tigers program. Your guess is as good as mine as to why that isn’t the case, but that could change this year.
Henry was a critical part of Clemson’s defense this year. While the box score may not indicate him as a productive pass rusher, the former top-10 overall high school recruit showed the ability to get to the quarterback consistently. He offers great length, heavy and active hands, a fantastic motor, and the ability to get off blocks at a high clip.
Do I think Henry is going to be an All-Pro pass rusher? I don’t. Though, I see him being a very reliable chess piece in a rotational role early in his career.
I think Carolina and Evero would appreciate what the former Tiger brings to the table.
Carolina Panthers select Dorian Williams
- Linebacker | Tulane Green Wave
Great news! Veteran linebacker and long-time team captain Shaq Thompson will return with the Carolina Panthers this season after getting his contract reworked, keeping him around for another two seasons.
The bad news? Following Damien Wilson’s release, Carolina is in need of depth at the defensive second level. General manager Scott Fitterer mentioned almost two weeks ago the need for speed at linebacker to fit in Ejiro Evero’s scheme.
Depth is important for every position. For Carolina, having that plus another young linebacker to develop would allow for future continuity at the position. A prospect that comes to mind is Dorian Williams out of Tulane.
Williams showcases sufficient length and is a good tackler. He plays with an edge and has a non-stop motor. These things will likely him get playing time on special teams and in a rotational role at the weak-side position as he develops into a starter.
While the former three-star high school recruit will need to add more mass to his frame and work on improving overall play strength, Williams would fit Evero’s defense like a glove thanks to his speed and burst attacking downhill.