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Panthers 2021 NFL mock draft: The Double Alabama edition

If the NFL season were to end today, (hey, you never know in 2020) the Carolina Panthers would be picking at No. 10 in next year’s draft. There are a few easy games left on the schedule, so it’s unlikely they’ll still have a top-10 pick by the time the draft comes around.

It’s never too early to start thinking about the next crop of picks, though. Here is our first seven-round mock draft of the year.

Pick No. 10: Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle

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In the first round, the idea was to select the best player available, regardless of position. That made taking Waddle (5-foot-10, 182 pounds) an easy choice. It might seem like a luxury pick given how deep Carolina is at this position already. However, Curtis Samuel still hasn't been given an extension and there's a chance he will walk in free agency. Adding Waddle would not only make up for losing Samuel, it would qualify as an upgrade. Waddle's explosiveness has drawn appropriate comparisons to Tyreek Hill. He is currently averaging 22.3 yards per catch this season.

Pick No. 42: Alabama LB Dylan Moses

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In round two, we hoped to fill one of the team's most significant holes on defense. In taking Moses, the idea was for him to replace Tahir Whitehead as the new starting middle linebacker. Moses (6-foot-3, 240 pounds) is still a bit raw, but his versatility and athleticism make him too good to pass up. His potential as a pass rusher is especially enticing. Under the guidance of Matt Rhule's staff, Moses could develop into a special, multi-dimensional playmaker like Jeremy Chinn has.

Pick No. 74: BYU OT Brady Christensen

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The Panthers are once again likely to be in the market for a left tackle next year. Predictably, the Russell Okung trade has turned out to be a bust. Injuries have kept Okung off the field more than half of the season and his contract is up at the end of the year. Penei Sewell will of course be out of reach. However, Christensen (6-foot-6, 300 pounds) is not a bad consolation prize. In fact, his PFF grade is on pace to break Sewell's 2019 record.

Pick No. 111: Ohio State CB Tyreke Johnson

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Cornerback is another spot that needs to be built up. Donte Jackson and Rasul Douglas have exceeded expectations. However, Troy Pride Jr. has disappointed and the Panthers need to add more depth behind their starters. Ohio State's program produces great DBs. Unlike Pride, Johnson (6-foot-1, 195 pounds) has the length and build to play outside. This would be a gamble pick given Johnson's current level of experience (he's only played three games), but it could pay off.

Pick No. 150: Colorado State TE Trey McBride

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Offensively, Carolina doesn't have a whole lot of needs. The biggest one is the tight end position. Chris Manhertz and Ian Thomas have their qualities, but catching balls well is not one of them. Meanwhile, over the last two seasons, McBride (6-foot-4, 260 pounds) has totaled 67 receptions, 828 yards and eight touchdowns. He was named first-team All-Mountain West last year.

Pick No. 187: Georgia iOL Trey Hill

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The interior of the offensive line could see some serious turnover next offseason. Chris Reed, John Miller, Michael Schofield and Tyler Larsen are all not under contract after 2020. Reloading in the draft might be necessary if more than one of them winds up leaving. If Carolina decides to ditch the veterans and start over, Hill (6-foot-4, 331 pounds) could climb up the depth chart and eventually work his way into a starting role.

Pick No. 216: Penn State CB Tariq Castro-Fields

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One cornerback pick may not be enough to replenish all of the depth and talent this team lost in the offseason last year. Taking a late-round flyer on a prospect like Castro-Fields (six-foot, 194 pounds) is not a terrible idea. Sharing the Penn State connection with Matt Rhule doesn't hurt, either. Castro-Field has totaled three interceptions and 10 tackles for a loss so far in 34 career college games.