Schuyler Callihan's Carolina Panthers 2023 7-Round Mock Draft 2.0

A full projection of Panthers picks.

Each Monday, I'll be releasing a new Carolina Panthers seven-round mock draft. 

RD 1, Pick 1: QB C.J. Stroud (Ohio State)

The Panthers are going to get the guy they want and it's the best quarterback in the class. I've said for a while now that Stroud is the only sure-bet at the position in this class. There's a lot of concerns with Bryce Young's size and although there is loads of potential with Anthony Richardson and Will Levis, you just don't know what you're going to get. You don't trade up all the way to No. 1 unless its for Stroud, in my opinion.

RD 2, Pick 39: TE Luke Musgrave (Oregon State)

My gut says the Panthers will focus more on adding veteran free agent receivers than signing a tight end, but I've been wrong many times before. Either way, they need to add a true pass-catching threat at tight end. Scouts and GMs fell in love with Luke Musgrave during the Reese's Senior Bowl and is steadily rising up draft boards. He may not be a high volume guy right out of the gate, but he'll add a dimension to this offense that it hasn't had since 2019.

RD 3, Pick 93: LB Noah Sewell (Oregon)

I love this fit. At 6'3", 250 lbs, Sewell would become the biggest linebacker on the Panthers' roster and would slide in nicely at the MIKE. He's a tough, physical backer that plays with a lot of energy and emotion. Sewell is a solid defender against both the run and pass, playing the edge and covering the slot in addition to play the MIKE. And yes, he is the brother of Lions offensive tackle, Penei Sewell.

RD 4, Pick 114: DE Viliami Fehoko (San Jose State)

Carolina needs to add another pass rusher to pair with Brian Burns. In the fourth round, I don't know that you'll find a better option than Fehoko. Over the last three years, he has totaled 142 tackles, 44 tackles for loss, and 22 sacks. He isn't going to blow by opposing linemen with his speed, but will more so rely on his strength and the multiple pass rush moves he has in his arsenal.

RD 4, Pick 132: CB Cory Trice Jr. (Purdue)

I'm not sure C.J. Henderson is going to be in Carolina long-term and with all the injuries the Panthers have had at the cornerback position, it would be a good idea to take one in this year's draft. Trice is one who really sticks out to me in the middle rounds as someone who could develop into a good rotational guy. He offers great size and length at 6'3", 210 pounds and can move around. He's played some safety too, so there is some positional flexibility here.

RD 5, Pick 145: WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (West Virginia)

There's a lot of boom-or-bust here with Ford-Wheaton, but in the fifth round, you're not risking much. He absolutely lit up the combine running a 4.38 40-yard dash and recording a 41" vertical jump at the NFL Combine. He drop issues at WVU, but also had games where he couldn't be stopped. If he irons out those inconsistencies, he could become a really solid NFL receiver. The Raleigh-area native returns to his home state.

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