CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Panthers have selected offensive guard Amini Silatolu from Division II Midwestern State with their second round pick in the NFL draft.
He is a potential replacement for long-time starter Travelle Wharton, who was released in a salary cap move and later signed with Cincinnati.
The 6-foot-3, 311-pound Silatolu was a dominant blocker for Midwestern State, located in Wichita Falls, Texas. He posted 97 knockdowns while playing left tackle and is projected to play guard in the NFL.
The Panthers selected linebacker Luke Kuechly Thursday.
Carolina doesn’t have a third-round draft pick after trading it to the Chicago Bears in exchange for tight end Greg Olsen last year. However, coach Ron Rivera said earlier that general manager Marty Hurney was exploring options to move back into the third round.
