2020 NFL Draft: 5 first-round targets for the Carolina Panthers

2. Javon Kinlaw, IDL, South Carolina 

This is where the high-risk, high-reward factors come into play. Derrick Brown may be the safest pick for the Carolina Panthers, but he also does not have the highest ceiling. Some truly believe that South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw could ultimately become the better player.

Kinlaw has freakish physical traits that set him apart from Brown. However, when you watch him play, you don’t always see the dominance that he is capable of. He can play all over the line and win any matchup that he finds himself in. He’s big, at 6-foot-5 and 324 pounds, but also has the athletic ability to beat agile offensive lineman. He can beat his man with strength, speed, or quickness, but you just do not see it on a consistent basis.

Kinlaw’s technique gets sloppy at times and he could be slow off the snap, but his motor is always running. This is all correctable and coachable, which is why I could see this scenario happening for the Carolina Panthers.

Kinlaw is a big-bodied lineman that has the meanest bull rush I’ve ever seen. He has insane hands at the point of attack that will just maul opposing lineman. His lateral quickness is at the same level as Brown which is saying a lot. When Kinlaw is at his best, he’ll be drawing double teams, which would open things up for Brian Burns on the edge. The biggest and most frequent question is if he could put everything together and play at a high level consistently.