Schuyler Callihan's Carolina Panthers 2023 7-Round Mock Draft 4.0

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

RD 1, Pick 1: QB Bryce Young (Alabama)

If I'm Scott Fitterer, the pick is C.J. Stroud. But I get the sense that Carolina is leaning more toward Young at No. 1. I don't hate it, but there is some level of concern about his size. It's not necessarily the height, which is a factor, but more so his frame. Can he withstand the hits? If so, then it will likely turn out to be a solid pick. It's a good thing the Panthers have a top-10 offensive line unit.

Last week: QB C.J. Stroud (Ohio State).

RD 2, Pick 39: WR Josh Downs (North Carolina)

In my last mock, I went with Tennessee's Jalin Hyatt. He's more of a vertical threat whereas Downs is a better all-around receiver that really excels in racking up yards after the catch. He runs crisp routes and is a tough tackle in the open field. He caught 195 passes for 2,364 yards and 19 touchdowns over his last two years at UNC.

Last week: WR Jalin Hyatt (Tennessee).

RD 3, Pick 93: LB DeMarvion Overshown (Texas)

This kid is going to be a flat-out stud. He's a football player, meaning he will play at a high level regardless of what he's asked to do and where he's asked to do it. He has some experience at safety and has also played down in the box as a linebacker. Really good speed that helps him be a factor in the run game. Scott Fitterer stated he wants to get faster and more athletic at linebacker. Well, Scott, here's your guy.

Last week: LB Noah Sewell (Oregon).

RD 4, Pick 114: DL Zachh Pickens (South Carolina)

Pickens can play in multiple defensive alignments but would be a good fit as a defensive end in Carolina's base 3-4 defense. With the team signing DeShawn Williams in free agency, Pickens will be able to be utilized as a rotational/depth piece for the first year or two of his career.

Last week: Same pick.

RD 4, Pick 132: WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (West Virginia)

There's a lot of boom-or-bust here with Ford-Wheaton, but in the fourth 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.

Last week: CB Cory Trice Jr. (Purdue)

RD 5, Pick 145: G Andrew Vorhees (USC)

No, the Panthers aren't pressing to add another o-lineman, but you can never have enough depth. Plus, is Brady Christensen going to be the long-term answer at left guard? Maybe, maybe not. Drafting Vorhees gives you some insurance for Christensen down the road if he doesn't work out AND he wouldn't have to be thrown into the fire right away. He is coming off a torn ACL, so there's good reason to believe he'll slip to the fifth round although he has all the makings of being a starter in the NFL.

Last week: WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (West Virginia).

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