Panthers select Bryce Young's former teammate in Mel Kiper's new mock draft

[ASFN Admin]

Could the Carolina Panthers add a new dimension to their offense by bringing on an old teammate of quarterback Bryce Young?

Well, that's what ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. did in his first two-round mock draft of the offseason.

Kiper Jr. begins Carolina's haul with the consensus frontrunner for the eighth overall pick, University of Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker. No surprise there.

He then uses the Panthers' second-rounder, Pick No. 57, on speedy wide receiver Isaiah Bond:

Adam Thielen is back, but he's turning 35 years old. Landing Bond late in Round 2 would give the Panthers a young trio of pass catchers, joining sophomores Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. Bond has good speed, and he caught five touchdown passes last season after transferring to Texas from Alabama. (He actually caught 13 passes -- including a touchdown -- from Bryce Young at Alabama in 2022.)

Bond played two seasons in Tuscaloosa, including Young's final collegiate campaign in 2023. Over 27 games for the Crimson Tide, he reeled in 65 catches for 888 yards and five scores.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder then notched 540 yards and five touchdowns on 34 receptions as a Longhorn in 2024.

Most recently, Bond showcased his burners at the Texas pro day with a 4.37-second 40-yard dash.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers draft Bryce Young's former teammate in Mel Kiper's new mock

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