NFL Draft 2018: Carolina Panthers 7-round mock

Round 3 – Pick 88

Jordan Whitehead, S, Pittsburgh

Carolina acquired an extra third round pick in the trade that sent Kelvin Benjamin to the Buffalo Bills. That pick was used to grab Benjamin’s replacement in Gallup. With their own pick they can focus on a secondary that can use some work. The Carolina front is it’s strength and allows their back-end to be a bit sub-par. Adding talent would be essential.

A player that fits the Carolina mold would be Pittsburgh’s Jordan Whitehead. Once thought of as a first round prospect, he did not help his cause in 2017. Once an elite recruit that was used as a weapon on all sides of the ball, he showed signs that warrant pushing him back into the end of day two of the draft.

Whitehead is a 5-foot-11 missile of a hitter. Playing deep was not a strength as he was quick to give up big plays which suppresses his value. He does possess potential to come down into the slot and handle man coverage in that area. His best area would be near the line of scrimmage.  Carolina could start him in the slot until he’s comfortable in a more full time safety role. He is a talented athlete that is likely to test well at the combine. Whitehead also offers the added bonus of showing some trick play potential with three career rushing touchdowns at Pittsburgh.