Old North Banter
Fansided

Panthers Land Athletic Edge in Latest Mock Draft

By Richard Louis

Dec 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Dec 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
facebooktwitterreddit

The regular season is coming to a close this weekend. In the first season under Dave Canales, the Panthers doubled this win total but still are going to miss the playoffs for the seventh straight season.

This roster will look vastly different in multiple areas next season and that will be for the better. This team needs upgrades in certain areas, and they'll have the chance to do so in the upcoming months. Offseason speculation has begun, and mock drafts have started rolling out.

CBS Sports' Josh Edwards released a mock draft as we enter Week 18. In this mock, he has the Panthers taking Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter with the seventh overall pick.

Edwards writes, "Carolina's pass rush has been abysmal, and there are not really any building blocks towards the future. Abdul Carter has been the most effective getting after the quarterback this season."

The Panthers' defense has been a disaster this season. They go into the final week of the season ranked 32nd in total defense (396.3), run defense (176.9), and scoring defense (31). Carolina is also tied for 31st in the league in team sacks (31).

There is rumbling that defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero could be the outs this offseason. This unit needs a lot of work defensively and Carter would help fill in a massive void.

Carter is an athletic force with a quick first step off the line. The Pennsylvania native uses his violent hands to shed blockers and create havoc in the backfield. In his collegiate career, Carter has 167 total tackles, 39 TFLs, and 22 sacks. This season for the Nittany Lions, he has 63 tackles and 11 sacks, as Penn State is in the semifinals of the College Football Playoffs.

The Panthers need more juice upfront, and Carter would immediately step in and improve their pass rush.

More Panthers news and rumors:

feed

Home/Carolina Panthers