Recapping Panthers’ 2023 NFL Draft: Fitterer, Reich talk roster-building, free agency

The Panthers finished the NFL Draft early.

After making just two picks during Saturday’s Day 3 selection process, GM Scott Fitterer and head coach Frank Reich left the war room in the middle of the fifth round to speak to the media and declare that they wouldn’t be jumping back into the later rounds of the draft.

With 20 spots to fill in free agency, Fitterer and Reich quickly answered questions about their roster, the draft class and more, before scurrying back downstairs to launch back into attack mode.

Here are some takeaways from the Panthers’ post-draft press conference:

Reich excited about the skill positions on offense

Fitterer said upgrading the team’s weapons was an emphasis this offseason. The idea was to surround the quarterback position with weapons to make for an easier operation.

The Panthers signed wideouts Adam Thielen, DJ Chark and Damiere Byrd in free agency. They also added running back Miles Sanders and tight end Hayden Hurst on the open market.

Ole Miss wideout Jonathan Mingo, the team’s second-round pick, was the latest addition to the playmaking department.

Reich acknowledged the offense’s desire to spread the ball, and explained why the team needed a handful of weapons to surround the quarterback. The staff wants to use multiple formations and skill groups in order to confuse and outsmart the opposing defense.

“You can never have enough playmakers,” Reich said. “That’s a big deal. I’m really excited about our skill room.”

Reich emphasized that the Panthers think first overall pick, quarterback Bryce Young, is a unique talent. The head coach continued to compare Young to a point guard as a distributor of the football. And with a handful of weapons, Young should have plenty of options in the pass game.

Reich also added that it was important that he and Young had a great relationship.

Corbett to miss regular-season action

Panthers right guard Austin Corbett (ACL) is expected to miss regular-season time, according to Reich. The head coach wanted to add competition at the position, especially with left guard Brady Christensen (ankle) also coming off a major injury.

The Panthers selected N.C. State guard Chandler Zavala in the fourth round to scratch that itch for depth. Zavala sent Fitterer a text message on Friday night to check in with the team, as the lineman really wanted to be reunited with Wolfpack teammate Ikem Ekwonu in Carolina.

Fitterer recalled going back to tape from 2021, and watching Ekwonu and Zavala work together on the left side of the line for N.C. State and “just road-grading” defenders. The general manager also said that executives and scouts from other teams complimented the Zavala pick after it was made.

While Cade Mays is expected to fill in at right guard for Corbett, Zavala could compete with Christensen for the left guard spot this summer.

‘Burns is going to be here’

Fitterer was asked about pass rusher Brian Burns’ potential contract extension. While Burns recently underwent ankle surgery, the Panthers GM said the procedure won’t impact contract negotiations.

“Burns is going to be here,” Fitterer said. “He’s one of our leaders, and we’ll work through it with his agent.”

Along with the negotiation for Burns’ new deal, the Panthers also need to figure out what they’ll do with defensive tackle Derrick Brown and cornerback CJ Henderson.

Both defenders have fifth-year options that need to be decided on by Tuesday. Fitterer expects to make the decision by Monday.

Fitterer said he would speak to both players before the Panthers announced any decisions.

According to CBS Sports, Henderson’s 2024 option would cost roughly $11.5 million. Brown’s option would be worth around $11.7 million.

Of the two players, Brown seems like the more logical fit for the option. The Panthers declined to trade Brown to the Chicago Bears during their discussions over the first overall pick in March.

Quick hits

Fitterer said the Panthers have plentyof options for the swing tackle position — including veteran free agency, undrafted free agency, the XFL and eventually the waiver wire after training camp. Last year’s swing tackle, Cam Erving, is still available in free agency.

▪ Reich said that he was confident that the team has a player who can be a starter at edge rusher opposite Burns. The team will open up the second edge position to competition, and will evaluate the group that features Marquis Haynes, Yetur Gross-Matos and Amare Barno. Fitterer also said the Panthers are open to looking at pass rushers in free agency.

▪ Fitterer said offensive line coach James Campen had probably the best reaction to a pick all weekend when the Panthers selected Zavala on Saturday.

“I’d love to play poker with him — he can’t hide his emotion,” Fitterer said with a laugh. “He was really excited today to get Zavala. He loves those guys — he loves that group, takes a lot of pride in them. The personalities, and how they mesh in there — to add someone like Zavala, he was really excited.”

▪ The Panthers drafted some older players this weekend because of the COVID extension year.

Fitterer acknowledged that some of their picks were older than some of their current players. For instance, Johnson, the team’s third-round pick, will turn 25 in October.

Fitterer said the positive aspect to older players is that their bodies could be fully developed heading into their rookie campaign.

▪ Safety Jammie Robinson, the team’s fifth-round pick, has the versatility to play safety and nickel corner. However, Reich said he doesn’t want to put the defensive back into a box with a label.

The head coach thinks Robinson will carve out a role on defense and on special teams because of his personality and traits.