The Carolina Panthers got one of the players they have been eyeing throughout this process on Thursday night when they selected DJ Moore 24th overall; the Maryland wide receiver has a huge upside and flashed high level route running at Maryland, something that he will need to show on a more consistent basis at the NFL level. With this, they likely fill any need at receiver and now need to address the remaining needs with their three picks on the second day, starting with the 55th overall pick. So who might the Panthers target with that pick given the players who are left on the board?
Running Back
Nick Chubb (Georgia)/Derrius Guice (LSU)/Kerryon Johnson (Auburn)/Ronald Jones (USC)
With the release of Jonathan Stewart, the Panthers are quite thin when it comes to quality running backs; while Cameron Artis-Payne is likely due a larger role in his contract year, it would still be unsurprising to see the Panthers add another running back to the rotation. Chubb and Guice are the most natural replacements for Stewart as both are powerful runners who could be effective in short yardage situations, the area where it is least clear who will replace Stewart – both can also offer something as pass catchers and pass blockers with the ability to break longer runs on occasion. Johnson flashes power potential but relies much more heavily on his vision; he would be an interesting addition to the Panthers’ running back room. Ronald Jones is the hardest to tie down, as he runs with a surprising amount of power but is built much more narrowly than the other running backs in question and has had some struggles as a pass catcher. All of these players could be seen as Stewart replacements at 55 and, should one fall that far, would very much be worth considering at 85.
Others Receiving Votes: Bo Scarbrough, Royce Freeman, Nyheim Hines
Photo Credit: Daryl Wilson/AP Photo
Tight End
Mark Andrews (Oklahoma)/Dallas Goedert (South Dakota State)
By resigning Greg Olsen yesterday, the Panthers all but removed tight end from first round consideration, but with a complete lack of depth behind Olsen, the Panthers would likely be tempted by either of these players should they fall to 55. Andrews is by far the more polished route runner of the two and has enough athleticism to be able to present a matchup problem for defenses. While he wasn’t used extensively as a blocker at Oklahoma, he appeared to use his hands well in locating defenders and with work could become a plus player in this area as well. Goedert’s value, by comparison, is much more about who he might become than who he is right now. He shows immense power as a blocker, though will need significant technique work, and has the size, speed and hands to be a dominant pass catching option should he be able to develop his route running from what it was in college. This is very much a choice between high floor and high ceiling and one that the Panthers could find themselves making at 55.
Others Receiving Votes: Mike Gesicki
Offensive Linemen
Connor Williams (Texas)/Will Hernandez (UTEP)
The Panthers still have something of a hole at guard, and while there is a chance that Moton or Sirles could be seen as the guy by the organization, they could well look to add another offensive linemen, given that Ryan Kalil is due to retire after this season and Daryl Williams is entering the final year of his contract. Williams offers the ability to play either guard or tackle and while he might not be the elite athlete that some other top tier tackles have been, he is a good technician, especially with his hand usage, and a natural replacement for Norwell in a zone blocking scheme. Hernandez is much more of a power blocker, with the ability to push people downhill in the run game and enough pass protection ability to be a plus player at the NFL level; Williams might be more of a natural fit with the Panthers’ offense, but the Panthers would likely be happy to get either at 55.
Others Receiving Votes: Braden Smith, James Daniels, Austin Corbett
Photo Credit: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Defensive End
Duke Ejiofor (Wake Forest)/Kemoko Turay (Rutgers)/Arden Key (LSU);
Despite the play for Julius Peppers last season, the Panthers need to add somebody to start opposite Mario Addison. Peppers is likely going to play the same rotation role he played last season, and while Horton could start this season, he is going to be in his contract year in 2018. Daeshon Hall is a complete unknown at this point and Cox didn’t show enough last season to be seen as a legitimate starter in the NFL. All three of the players the Panthers may be considering could become starting defensive ends at the NFL level, but are very, very different. Ejiofor is an excellent technician who uses his hands well to slip blocks and be a regular feature in the backfield in both the running and passing games. Turay will have to make the move from a 3-4 OLB to a 4-3 DE in the Panthers’ system but played with good play height and hand usage in college, he will need to add some strength against the run but could be a quiet option at 55. Key has potential for days, with the quick twitch speed to be a dominant edge rusher, but has a number of off the field concerns including wild weight fluctuations last season and was asked to play a weird collection of roles in LSU’s defense last season. Key’s ceiling is huge, but the floor is pretty much as low as it gets.
Others Receiving Votes: Josh Sweat, Harold Landry, Hercules Ma’atafa
Cornerback
Josh Jackson (Iowa)/Isaac Oliver (Colorado)
I personally don’t think cornerback is as big a need for the Panthers as some, but that some might include the Panthers’ front office and if that is the case, either of these two would be natural fits for a Panthers’ defense that loves ball-hawking zone corners. Jackson is probably the better of the two, with great ball skills and slightly better athleticism, but Oliver’s larger frame could be useful in a division that has a lot of large receivers and strong running games.
Others Receiving Votes: Quenton Meeks, Carlton Davis, Donte Jackson
Safety
Justin Reid (Stanford)/Jessie Bates (Wake Forest)
Reid’s tape is infuriating as he mixes great reads with mental blunders, and any team that drafts him will have to believe that those blunders can be coached out of his game, as he is a great athlete with good ball skills and the ability to cover tight ends, running backs or slot receivers; Bates has a well-rounded skillset and truly has the abilities to come in and be a contributor Week 1 against the Cowboys. The Panthers definitely have a need at free safety and while Hurney has made it clear that they don’t want to reach on a safety, should Reid or Bates fall to 55, I think that would then be good enough value for the Panthers to be interested.
Others Receiving Votes: DeShon Elliott, Ronnie Harrison, Kyzir White
