After an off-season of turmoil, the Carolina Panthers 2o23 NFL Draft is finally finished. Scott Fitterer traded the sun and the moon to move up to number one, and now the Panthers know who their signal caller is for 2023 and beyond. With that in mind, how did the Panthers 2023 NFL draft review grade out?
In the entire draft, the Panthers added:
- First round, first overall, Bryce Young QB
- Second round, 39th overall, Jonathan Mingo WR
- Third round, 80th overall, D.J. Johnson EDGE
- Fourth round, 114th overall, Chandler Zavala G
- Fifth round, 145th overall, Jammie Robinson S
Carolina Panthers 2023 NFL Draft Review Grade: 3/10
Carolina Panthers 2023 NFL Draft Review: Hope For the Future
The Best Player: Jonathon Mingo
The parallels between Mingo and D.K. Metcalf or A.J. Brown are easy. All three are freak athletes that attended Ole Miss, and probably could have performed better in college if the quarterback play was better. Surprisingly, Mingo actually ran faster and jumped higher than A.J. Brown did at the combine, for what it’s worth. His athleticism is not just college good, it’s almost off the charts for NFL athletes as well. If he can develop chemistry with Bryce Young, the Carolina Panthers offense could take off.
The Head-Scratcher: Bryce Young
Fans should still be excited. But here is a quick run down of every quarterback drafted in the first round at Bryce Young’s size:
Kyler Murray… Maybe.
Bryce Young ‘weighed in’ at 204 lbs, which was a cool thing Young did to bulk up to make the media quiet. He is still a magician, and his comp in the draft profile is Mahomes hit with a shrink ray. There’s just not a precedent of a quarterback like this succeeding, and it’s a lot of risk to send two first rounders and D.J. Moore away for Mario after he takes a hit. He was third on the pre-draft quarterback rankings for a reason.
The Surprise: Jonathon Mingo
Mingo is a great prospect. However, at the time Mingo was on the board, there were receiver prospects galore. Rashee Rice, Jalin Hyatt, even Cedric Tillman were available late into the third. If Young and Mingo are the connection this front office envisions, this will be a pleasant surprise. Both he and his quarterback could have some solid fantasy production in 2023 and beyond.
The Steal: Chandler Zavala
A guard was never going to go top-20 in the draft. But Zavala is a solid, stout offensive lineman who bolsters an already tough unit. Zavala was never going to be a flashy pick, but he could be a sturdy starter for years to come. If fans are looking for a draft profile on Zavala, just throw on a Dodge Ram commercial. Tough. Rugged. Durable. Made for the open road.
Most Likely to Turn Heads in Training Camp: Jammie Robinson
Not many big dudes are going to shine in training camp. There have been exactly zero times a media member has called ESPN to talk about how exciting a center is. But a safety who has a nose for the ball and can read the quarterback effectively, that makes headlines. Robinson brings a thumping hit to the center of the defense, and can make plays on the ball when the quarterback makes a mistake. Could be a pre-season fan favorite before drifting back to special teams responsibilities for the regular season.
The Rest
D.J. Johnson had a productive career at Oregon, but was not anticipated to be drafted this high. He bends like cardboard and lacks the flexibility to take the edge, despite playing in a position called EDGE. NFL.com noted he regularly misses tackles, and that will drive coaches crazy. He’s a rotation player at best, with minimal upside to grow.
Main Image: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
