CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - The Panthers traded up to take Oklahoma defensive end Frank Alexander in the fourth round of the NFL draft.
The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Alexander is expected to push defensive end Greg Hardy for playing time. The Panthers finished 28th in the league on defense last season and Alexander gives them another pass rusher off the corner. Alexander was a two-year starter at Oklahoma and has good speed, something coach Ron Rivera wanted.
The Panthers traded their fifth round pick this year and third round pick in 2013 to Miami to move up.
The Panthers unsuccessfully attempted to trade up in the third round on Friday.
They previously selected linebacker Luke Kuechly from Boston College in the first round and guard Amini Silatolu from Division II Midwestern State in the second.