NFL Draft 2018: Carolina Panthers 7-round mock

Round 2 – Pick 55

James Daniels, C/G, Iowa

Carolina has invested in their offensive line. Guard Trai Turner is one of the top paid guards in the league. Fellow guard Andrew Norwell is a candidate to get the franchise tag. If he does not then he will hit the open market and demand a simliar salary to his teammate. Norwell’s days in Carolina look numbered, opening a hole at the left guard spot.

James Daniels of Iowa is listed as a center but would fit in perfectly for Carolina at guard. The athletic former Hawkeye may not make it to this point. However, positional value could push an elite talent down the draft board.

Daniels is a smooth athlete at the center position who wins with angles over power. He brings excellent feet and balance attacking linebackers at the second level. Playing at guard in a dynamic Carolina offense would enable him to show off his athleticism in pulls and traps. He has the added benefit of also being the team’s back-up center down the road.

There will be questions surrounding the corner and wide receiver position. Both of those positional groups are deep and talent can be found in later rounds. Especially at wide receiver where the Panthers invested a second round pick a year ago on Curtis Samuel.