Pass Rush Help On the Way for Carolina?

Five pass rushers the Panthers should consider drafting.

With all the attention focused on the number one pick and surrounding that young quarterback with as much help as possible, the Panthers can't neglect the other side of the ball. Despite being a top-10 unit, the defense has some holes that need to be filled i.e. edge, inside linebacker, and corner.

But the one need Carolina should address with the 39th overall pick is edge rusher. Brian Burns is a dominant pass rusher as is but just think of the type of production he would have with a respectable rusher on the opposite side. Actually, you don't even have to imagine it. Just look at what he and Haason Reddick did in one year together. The two combined for 36 QB hits, 25 tackles for loss, and 20 sacks. 

The good thing is, there are several players that could help the Panthers at that position in the second round. Who are they? Here are five names that could be the pick along with a snippet of their scouting report, courtesy of the NFL Draft Bible on Sports Illustrated/FanNation.

Keion White (Georgia Tech) - 6'4", 267 lbs

2022 stats: 54 tackles, 14 TFL, 7.5 sacks.

NFL Draft Bible scouting report: "White offers flashes of greatness with his combination of speed, upper body strength, and arm length, but the college football veteran lacks technical development and consistency across the board. White primarily aligns as a 4 or 5-tech. He also took a handful of snaps at 2 and 3-tech in 2022, but that’s not a role he’ll play significant snaps at when he reaches the NFL. White is experienced rushing from two and three-point stances."

Will McDonald IV (Iowa State) - 6'4", 236 lbs

2022 stats: 36 tackles, 75 TFL, 5 sacks.

NFL Draft Bible scouting report: "A linear pass rusher who offers initial explosion and suitable bend. Long, flowing physique. Plays as a 4-5 technique mainly in a three-point stance. Significant bend at the junction point. Ankle and hip flexibility to flatten his rush path. Useful hands that can swipe and work through linemen's grasps, forcing them to recover. Initial get-off helps him split double teams and reach the backfield. Laterally adept, with the speed and agility to set the edge on perimeter runs if he’s free. Effort and motor to chase backs across the field."

BJ Ojulari (LSU) - 6'3", 244 lbs

2022 stats: 58 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks

NFL Draft Bible scouting report: "A standout since his freshman season with the LSU football program, B.J. Ojulari boasts impressive burst and bend that should appeal to most NFL teams; that said, he has underwhelming play strength and plays with a high pad level that gives his chest up routinely. An extremely athletic 3-4 outside linebacker, Ojulari boasts an excellent first step and twitchy, sudden change of direction ability. As a pass rusher, he can win with pure burst and stellar bend. That said, he has flashed a variety of hand moves and creative counters. A true inside-outside threat thanks to his movement skills, Ojulari is long for his height and can win power rushes when he plays with proper pad level and gets into blockers’ frames."

Felix Anudike-Uzomah (Kansas State) - 6'3", 252 lbs

2022 stats: 46 tackles, 11 TFL, 8.5 sacks

NFL Draft Bible scouting report: A productive and refined pass rusher, Felix Anudike-Uzomah can see the field early on passing downs thanks to his advanced hand usage, excellent understanding of leverage, and well-rounded athletic profile; that said, the Kansas State rusher has inconsistent power and will be a liability in run defense early.

Andre Carter II (Army) - 6'7", 265 lbs

2022 stats: 41 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks

NFL Draft Bible scouting report: "An uber-athletic, undersized linebacker whose heart and intensity compensate for some of his physical limitations—a natural-born leader. Known for his ferocious work ethic, Carter is an explosive playmaker who makes a living on the edge. He attacks quickly and violently with sudden movement, which helps him manufacture turnovers (created four forced fumbles, with one fumble recovery and an interception in 2021). He arrived to West Point as a tall, skinny kid and is set to depart as a much more mature player both physically and mentally, becoming bigger, stronger, faster each season. In fact, he has gained over 30 pounds of bulk since his arrival. In addition, his mental acumen has been a vastly improved aspect of his game."

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