What are some realistic expectations for every Carolina Panthers draft pick during their upcoming rookie campaigns in 2023?
The NFL Draft is officially over, and the Carolina Panthers have completed one of the most highly anticipated classes in the franchise's history.
As most of us suspected for weeks, the Panthers selected Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft. It is a significant step forward for an organization spiraling into limbo for the last few years.
The rest of Carolina's draft class was quite interesting. On Day 2, they selected Ole Miss wide receiver Jonathan Mingo as a potential future weapon for Young at No. 39 overall. Later, the Panthers traded up with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round to select raw Oregon pass rusher D.J. Johnson after a run on the position.
Day 3 featured the selections of North Carolina State offensive lineman Chandler Zavala and Florida State defensive back Jammie Robinson; two players who may see playing time much faster than some may expect.
In a first draft truly calling the shots, he came away with a solid group of rookies along with steady selection of priority undrafted free agents.
Now, it's time to look at some of the expectations for these rookies heading into the 2023 campaign. Excitement is high in the air for these prospects. However, some of the targets should be managed to avoid disappointment.
Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers QB
It's amazing to see the Carolina Panthers with a rookie quarterback that is giving hope and optimism to fans across the fanbase.
Bryce Young certainly has all of the talent to be a successful quarterback in the NFL. Sure, there are the size concerns that will continue to be highlighted throughout his career. However, the skill set shows me he can overcome those doubts.
Expectations for the first overall NFL Draft pick will be sky-high for many. It is important for fans and media alike to keep some of these expectations tempered and cooled.
While Young is an exciting player, there is always a steep transition for any draft prospect coming into the NFL. And the former Heisman Trophy winner is no different.
Young has the pocket instincts and awareness along with elite football intelligence to make his transition smoother. Yet, I don't expect him to light the world on fire in his rookie campaign.
The Panthers are expected to have a heavy run game early on as they get Young into a rhythm, and yes, there will likely be turnovers as he sees what can work compared to what he was able to do at Alabama. Afterward, once the former five-star high school recruit has gotten himself paced with the speed of the game, to play at a steady level throughout his first year.
I think Young will still be in contention for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, it is unlikely he makes himself a top-10 quarterback from the jump.
By his third year, he should be among that range of quarterbacks, which should bold well for the Panthers.
Jonathan Mingo - Carolina Panthers WR
The Carolina Panthers were targeting a wide receiver in this year's draft all along, and likely early, too. They were able to get the one they have had their eyes on since the Senior Bowl in the form of Ole Miss product Jonathan Mingo.
As a former four-star high school recruit, Mingo offers a dense, 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame that allows him to flash the ability to box out defenders at the catch point like a power forward. He offers a great catch radius, good speed, acceleration, and the explosiveness to stack corners and create separation from both the outside and the slot.
Overall, there is plenty to like about about the Panthers new receiver.
Even so, most skill position players coming from a vertical tempo offense with face a long transition, especially when it comes to route trees and overall route running ability. Mingo struggles in these areas despite flashes showing the capability to potentially run every route in the book.
With D.J. Chark, Adam Thielen, and Terrace Marshall Jr. expected to be the top three wideouts for Carolina, the expectations for Mingo in Year 1 should be to compete for snaps as the No. 4 receiver in certain zero personnel packages. The second-team All-SEC wideout will likely begin his playing time working as a big slot while developing release packages and sharpening routes.
However, by Year 3, Mingo should be a likely starter. Whether that is the slot, "X", or "Z" receiver remains to be seen.
He certainly has the potential to play any of the three spots. How wide receivers' coach Shawn Jefferson works with Mingo and how the latter responds to his development will be crucial to his success in this league.
D.J. Johnson - Carolina Panthers DE/OLB
Many fans expected the Carolina Panthers to take more talented pass rushers available on the board when Scott Fitterer made the move to trade up as the run on the position began in the third round.
Despite the better talent on the board in the eyes of fans and media alike, Carolina chose one of their favorite players and one of the last pass rushers they had left on their board, one they felt would not be around at 93. That player was Oregon's D.J. Johnson.
Johnson is a pass rusher some viewed as a late Day 3 selection. However, Fitterer said late Friday night that he believes his best football is ahead of him. Head coach Frank Reich also said that Johnson was one of the four types of pass rushers they were hoping to acquire this weekend.
" We're looking for four guys. So you got one through four. You can have different types of guys. Obviously, (Brian) Burns is number one. He's the speed guy. We really see DJ (Johnson) as kind of a power guy. Then as Scott (Fitterer) said, continue to develop him into a more complete player."Frank Reich via Panthers.com
The former four-star high school recruit certainly has plenty of growing to do as a player and is also an older prospect at 24 years old, potentially limiting his overall ceiling. However, Johnson is a powerful and athletic pass rusher who the Panthers are hoping can develop into a capable edge-setting outside rush linebacker.
Expectations in Year 1 should be for him to be involved in the rotation, though he may spend some time in street clothes on some weeks. By Year 3, he could be a valuable asset to the Panthers' run defense opposite Brian Burns. I don't expect All-Pros in his future, though I hope to be wrong in this case.
Chandler Zavala - Carolina Panthers OL
Carolina Panthers fans went into Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft hoping for better value and draft picks. Supporters got what they asked for with North Carolina State offensive lineman Chandler Zavala.
The team was in need of interior offensive line depth, especially with Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen's statuses for Week 1 still up in the air. That means adding backups or potential starters in place of the injured right and left guards were important for Carolina. Zavala helps with that tremendously.
There is a little bit of concern with Zavala. He will need to improve his footwork and hand placement and also needs to take better angles to cut off pursuit angles in the run game while.
Thankfully, he has offensive line coach James Campen assisting with his early development - one of the most respected guys around.
Justin McCray and Cade Mays are the more experienced players on the interior with significantly more playing time in the pros than Zavala, but I don't expect the former Fairmont State transfer to start in place of the injured Christensen or Corbett at the moment.
However, if the latter were to be healthy in time for training camp, there could be competition for the starting left guard spot.
In his rookie season, Zavala offers the talent to compete for playing time. If Christensen does not work at left guard in 2023, Ikem Ekwonu's former college teammate could be a part of a steady offensive line heading into his sophomore year in the NFL.
Jammie Robinson - Carolina Panthers S
Out of the entire draft class that the Carolina Panthers put together, the selection of Florida State defensive back Jammie Robinson might be my favorite outside of Bryce Young.
Robinson is a smaller prospect at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds. However, he is a versatile defensive weapon in the secondary that has snaps as a nickelback, free safety, strong safety, and weakside linebacker in sub-packages. This bodes well for his future prospects in Carolina.
Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has gotten the best out of his players and turned the Denver Broncos into one of the better defensive units in football. With a versatile defensive back like Robinson, it will give more options for him in terms of looks, packages, and disguised fronts.
The two-time first-team All-ACC selection has shown to lay a punch against the run and blowup receivers in the passing game. He will need to play with much better control due to his overaggressive nature. Though Robinson will be a part of a defensive coaching staff with lots of future high-level talent.
Robinson should be expected to be in the running for the nickel or "STAR" starting role on Evero's defense thanks to his coverage instincts and tackling ability in run support. Though, Jaycee Horn and Jeremy Chinn will likely play this role with the latter as the big nickel in three safety looks.
Out of all of Carolina's draft selections outside of Young, Robinson could be the one to see significant playing time in his rookie season. By Year 3 of his rookie contract, he could be one of the Panthers' key playmakers on the defensive side of the ball.