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Carolina Panthers Potential Cade Mays Replacement Scored Well At NFL Combine

Duke offensive linemen impressed at the combine, and could be a solid starter long term
Preston Palm|
Sep 30, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Nana Osafo-Mensah (31) against Duke Blue Devils offensive lineman Brian Parker II (53) during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Sep 30, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Nana Osafo-Mensah (31) against Duke Blue Devils offensive lineman Brian Parker II (53) during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

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Carolina Panthers

      The NFL Scouting Combine concluded on Sunday, and a ton of prospects made themselves some extra money through excelling in their workouts and interviews with different teams. 

The Carolina Panthers could potentially look for offensive line help in the NFL draft. With Cade Mays’ potential departure looming over the Panthers, the center position could be one of dire need, and an ideal prospect made his name known at the combine. 

Normally, when talking about a center from Duke University, it’s a seven footer whos dominating on the court, but not in this case. Brian Parker II is one of the more fascinating prospects because he’s actually switching to play center for the NFL, but in his two years starting at Duke, was a right tackle. 

At the NFL combine, Parker II performed very well. He ran a 5.14, which is quite impressive for an offensive lineman weighing over 300 pounds. 

Parker II also cleared the 9-foot mark, a notable achievement for an offensive lineman. Among the 41 offensive linemen who participated in the broad jump, Parker II ranked among the top 18. 

Another great test result for Parker II was the bench press, tying for third best with 29 reps. The test results show he’s an NFL athlete, but there are valid concerns when a player is switching positions heading into his NFL career. 

The Panthers should still prioritize bringing Cade Mays back, but having a cost-friendly backup plan isn’t the worst idea for Carolina. 

Why the Panthers should be cautious in Drafting Parker II

NFL.com’s prospect grade gave Parker II a 6.22, suggesting that he’ll eventually be an average NFL starter. 

Eventually is the keyword there, and keeping in mind that Parker II is new to the position he’s going to play, the Panthers could draft him as a project, but still would need to find a center who can be reliable for the here and now. 

This is a day two, maybe day three pick, so don’t be worried about a pick like this affecting the Panthers’ drafting a linebacker or edge rusher like they need to. 

Bringing in a young talent with a ton of potential and clear NFL attributes would be a great investment for GM Dan Morgan and the Panthers, but Carolina is trying to win now and keep winning the division now, so it’s not what’s going to help Carolina win in 2026. 

If there's one thing for sure, though, Parker II's upside is undeniable, and it's hard to pass on high upside.

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Preston Palm
PRESTON PALM

Preston is an experienced sports writer focusing on NFL, College Football, NBA, and MMA topics. He is a passionate Charlotte and Oklahoma sports fan and graduated from the University of Science and Arts Oklahoma in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications degree with a focus in journalism.