If everything goes according to the latest NFL.com mock draft, the Carolina Panthers could land Derrick Brown some much-needed defensive line help early in the second round.
The Panthers, in the recent mock draft, opted to add a defensive tackle out of Florida State at pick No. 33. Then, at pick No. 39, Carolina adds a real viable tight end option to beef up a position of great need in Bryce Young's second season.
Here is a look at how the picks break down in the mock draft:
At pick No. 33, Chad Reuter, an NFL.com draft analyst, has the Panthers selecting Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske.
The 24-year-old plays the run well and rushes the passer equally as effectively. And at 6-foot-4, he presents quick-twitch athleticism and could be a day-one starter in Charlotte.
Where scouts said he struggles is with bigger offensive linemen, whom he will play at the NFL level. If he can parlay his speed against them, however, the Panthers could be in good shape with Brown and Fiske up front defensively.
At pick No. 39, the mock draft has the Panthers selecting tight end Ben Sinnott out of Kansas State.
Sinnott visited with the Panthers last week.
He is a 6-foot-4 touchdown threat who would immediately upgrade a lacking tight-end position group.
During his time at Kansas, Sinnott caught 80 passes for 1,123 yards and 10 touchdowns during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
He was a two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection and was named a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award.
If the Panthers walk away with quality defensive line play and a pass-catching tight end in the second round, I am sure Dan Morgan and the rest of the front office would view it as a win.
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