So you thought the Giants were below-average-to-bad? I raise you, one Carolina Panthers squad.
QB – Sad time in Carolina, as the Cam Newton era comes to end. As long as he goes to a team outside of the NFC South/NFC East, I will be rooting for him all the way. In his spot comes Teddy Bridgewater, who signed a three-year deal, which is more like a two-year deal, given the Panthers can cut him after the 2021 season with only $5M dead cap. Back-ups are XFL stand-out P.J. Walker, who led the Houston Roughnecks to a 5-0 record, while leading the league in passing yards and passing TDs. #3 on the depth chart is Will Grier, who looked bad last year; he’ll be lucky to still be on the roster in 12 months-time. I don’t think the Panthers will use their 7th overall pick on a QB; it appears they are trying to position themselves for the Trevor Lawrence/Justin Fields sweepstakes in next year’s draft.
RB – Christian McCaffery is entering year 4 of his rookie deal and the obvious lead back. Behind him are Reggie Bonnafon (undrafted, 2018), Jordan Scarlett (5th round, 2019), and former Seahawk Mike Davis. Not a huge need, but the Panthers could take a flier on a late round RB to upgrade the depth behind CMC.
WR – The Panthers are in a reasonable position here, with recent addition Robby Anderson, 2018 first rounder D.J. Moore, and 2017 second round pick Curtis Samuel the starters. Behind them are return specialists Pharoh Cooper and Brendan Zylstra. The Panthers could do with more depth here, so look for them to add a receiver in a later round.
TE – Probably the weakest of the offensive skill positions, following the departure of Greg Olsen, the TE group is led by Ian Thomas (4th round, 2018). Behind him are veterans Seth DeValve and Chris Manhertz. Look for GM Marty Hurney to find a TE in round 6 or 7.
OL – Current starters left-to-right are: Russel Okong, Tyler Larsen, Matt Paradis, John Miller, and Taylor Moton, with 2019 rookies Greg Little and Dennis Daley providing depth. Having traded 5-time pro bowl guard Trai Turner in exchange for Okung, the plan appears to be for 2019 second round pick Greg Little to sit behind Okung before taking over full time in 2021. After signing Matt Paradis as a free agent last year, the Panthers would’ve been disappointed by his output in 2019. Carolina can save just under $5M by cutting him next year, so spending a mid-to-late round pick on a centre is a strong possibility. The right tackle spot is set with Taylor Moton (2017 second rounder), free agent signing John Miller will be right guard, while Dennis Daley will battle veteran Tyler Larsen for starting honors at left guard. After trading up last year to grab Greg Little, I don’t think the Panthers use their #7 overall pick on an OT, but it would certainly be prudent to investment more in the OL on draft day.
DT – After losing Dontari Poe, Gerald McCoy, and Vernon Butler in free agency, this room is near empty, with only Kawaan Short holding the fort. That’s probably why you’ll see a lot of mock drafts with Auburn DT Derrick Brown going to Carolina at #7 overall. Personally, I don’t think DTs are worth top 10 picks unless you’re getting someone the caliber of Aaron Donald, so I’m hoping the Panthers go in another direction.
Edge – This group is lead by 2019 first round pick Bryan Burns. Supporting him are former international pathway player Efe Obada, free agency signing Stephen Weatherly (Vikings), 2018 fourth round pick Marquis Haynes, and 2019 fourth rounder Christian Miller. Clearly, with the losses of Mario Addison and Bruce Irvin, this position needs an upgrade. Look for the Panthers to go edge on day 2.
Linebackers – Following Luke Kuechly’s retirement, recently re-signed Shaq Thompson becomes the lead man here. At this point Thompson will be starting alongside former Lion and Raider Tahir Whitehead, with two 2018 draft picks providing depth - Andre Smith (7th round) and Jermaine Carter (5th round). This is another group that could do with a significant upgrade, which brings Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons into play at #7 overall.
Cornerbacks – If you haven’t realized already, you surely will now – this defense is trash! Following the departure of James Bradberry to the Giants, 2018 second rounder Donte Jackson is really the only recognizable name, unless you’ve heard of Corn Elder, Dominique Hatfield or Natrell Jamerson (kudus to you if so). Clearly, SIGNIFICANT upgrades needed here. Unfortunately Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah will likely be off the board by the time Carolina is on the clock, and it doesn’t seem like any other CBs are worthy of a top 10 pick, so look for the Panthers to grab a CB in the second round.
Safety – The safety group is led by recently re-signed Tre Boston and T.J. Green, a former 2nd round pick by the Colts in 2016. Also from the class of 2016, free agent signing Justin Borris (4th round, Jets) provides depth. Another weak position group that needs resources allocated in the draft.
Summary – Boy, going over that defense was brutal. I knew it was bad, but wow. Similar to the Giants, the Panthers are mostly set at the offensive skills positions, while the OL could do with an upgrade. This defense, left unattended, could single handedly deliver the Panthers their first #1 overall pick since 2011, when they selected Cam Newton. So, given the plight of the Panthers D, I think they have no choice but to use the # 7 overall pick on the highest rated defender still on their board. If available, I think it would be Okudah, but it’s more likely to be either Simmons on Brown. Then they need to load up on other areas of D in rounds 2, 3, 4 and 5, and hope they can find some gems in the later rounds to add depth at OL, WR and TE. This front office has a lot of work to do.
