Carolina Panthers 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft after Sam Darnold trade

Carolina Panthers 2021 NFL mock draft: Round 5, 151st overall

Another pick, another move to improve the trenches for the Carolina Panthers. Chauncey Golston is not the most explosive edge rusher around but he is a rock-solid player who could come in and provide immediate value for his NFL team. Golston is a long and strong edge defender who shines as a run defender and can provide pass rush ability if he is put in a position to succeed.

In Golston, the Panthers find a player who they can line up on the edge on early downs and kick inside to rush the passer on obvious passing downs. His long-term upside is relatively limited but Golston is a good player who feels like a strong bet to be a solid contributor at the next level.

Carolina Panthers 2021 NFL mock draft: Round 6, 222nd overall

With their final pick of this 2021 NFL mock draft, the Panthers made another interesting addition to their defensive mix. Off-ball linebacker stands out as a relatively major need for this team and they could certainly look to address the position earlier than this. That being said, it is never a good idea to reach for need. Value at the position was difficult to find until this pick.

Garret Wallow is a converted safety prospect who shows strong athleticism and range at the linebacker position. He is a tremendous weapon in the blitz game and has a ton of upside in coverage. Wallow currently lacks ideal instincts in coverage but it is easy to see how a player with his natural athleticism could thrive in that area.

At worst, Wallow should be a nice special teams contributor at the next level. But he certainly has the ability to grow into an impact defensive player as well.