CAROLINA PANTHERS
Round 1 (No. 6 overall) Ikem “Ickey” Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State: Generally viewed as this draft’s top tackle prospect; good luck finding anyone who thinks there’s a better run blocker coming out than Ekwonu. The All-American coming down Tobacco Road has some refinement to do in pass protection, but this 6-4 310-pounder has the sweet feet and athleticism (4.9 40 time) to fulfill his vast expectations.
Round 3 (94, from Chiefs through Patriots) – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss :Corral has sizable arm strength and athleticism and might be the kind of guy you want to invest in for a year – or at least part of a season – before unleashing him. That seems like the scenario here with Sam Darnold entering the final year of his rookie contract. Lots of weapons here at Corral’s disposal if he can get onto the field. His arrival likely rules Charlotte out as a future home for Baker Mayfield.
Round 4 (120, from Saints through Commanders) – Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State
Round 6 (189, from Commanders) – Amaré Barno, DE/LB, Virginia Tech
Round 6 (199, from Raiders) – Cade Mays, OT, Tennessee
Round 7 (242, from Patriots through Dolphins) – Kalon Barnes, CB, Baylor
Grade: C
Getting Ekwonu at No. 6 could prove larcenous, particularly for a team that desperately needed a left tackle. GM Scott Fitterer and coach Matt Rhule also maneuvered back into Round 3 for Corral. But they probably wish they hadn’t spent their original second-rounder on Darnold nor their third on CB C.J. Henderson. And though this franchise has desperately pursued solutions under center, Corral is another significant gamble ... one from which Rhule may not recover.