Options At Pick 69:
Tyler Biadasz, iOL (Wisconsin); 6-4, 314 lbs
The Panthers need help on the interior of their offensive line, having addressed tackle in the trade for Russell Okung – and while they do currently have potential starters at guard in Daley and Miller, dropping a third name into the hat should help to generate some meaningful competition in camp. Biadasz could well come out of camp as a starter at guard, but if not, he offers versatile depth in terms of his ability to play both center and guard, and could be developed to replace either Miller when he hits free agency in a year or Matt Paradis in either 2021 or 2022, depending on how things play out with contract.
While not the most splashy athlete, Biadasz shows good foot speed and balance to go with pretty good power; he also has the movement skills to get out in space on screens. Wouldn’t be the sexiest pick, but would be a useful foundation piece on the offensive line going forward.
Logan Wilson, LB (Wyoming); 6-2, 241 lbs
Wilson has risen up draft boards dramatically over the past couple of weeks and could be seen as a legitimate option at this point in the draft. For the Panthers, they have a long-term need in the middle of their defense after the retirement of Luke Kuechly, and while Tahir Whitehead looks to be the short-term solution, they could do with somebody to develop behind him, and while Wilson is not a developmental project as such, coming out of a school like Wyoming, he could probably do with some time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NFL game.
As an athlete, Wilson is good but not great, with pretty good straight line speed and strength to go with good movement skills. In coverage, he shows good footwork in man coverage, though as this was not a huge part of what he was asked to do in college this is an area where he could stand to improve further. In zone, however, he is excellent, with really nice range, a good understanding of leverage, tight footwork and great instincts and ball skills, allowing him to sniff out screens and bounce on passes underneath. As a run defender, he does a good job of keeping tackles at bay, and is an excellent technical tackler, with his instincts once again allowing him to make plays that most linebackers just can’t.
Bryan Edwards, WR (South Carolina); 6’3 212 lbs
For me, Bryan Edwards is the best receiver left on the board in day two, let alone the third round, but given that he missed much of the offseason testing due to a foot injury and didn’t exactly have the best QB at South Carolina last year, he looks likely to fall where below where his value should be. For the Panthers, he not only gives them another weapon for their “spread’em and shred’em” offense but also looks to be the perfect compliment for the receivers already on the roster with his ability to create consistent underneath separation against man coverage, as well as his ability to contribute at the catch point in the red zone.
While he is not the most eye-popping athlete, he has the deep speed to offer something of a deep threat, and shows really good quickness and change of direction for a player of his size along with really good hands. He gets consistently excellent release against press and runs smooth and subtle routes to create underneath separation through the manipulation of leverage and goes a great job of creating separation at the catch point as well with late changes of direction and speed. In terms of the added extras, he has the ability to create receptions in the air with his height and jumping ability, and has enough strength and quickness to be something of a factor after the catch as well.
I didn’t mention him in the second round outlook, but if we’re talking wide receiver, I’d be remiss in not mentioning Denzel Mims, who Matt Rhule is eminently familiar with from Baylor. He just might garner a look from the coaching staff at the 38th pick.
Jeremy Chinn, S (Southern Illinois); 6-3, 221 lbs
This is probably about as low as Chinn might be expected to fall, but if he is still on the board at this point, he would be a really intriguing option for the Panthers. A lot was said pre-draft about Isaiah Simmons and how he might fit in a defense under Phil Snow that prioritizes versatility – and while Chinn is in need of more significant development than Simmons, he could offer a very similar type of upside in terms of his ability to play in the slot, in the box or in deep coverage.
In man coverage, he shows the speed to run vertically with tight ends and running backs – and even some receivers – as well as the movement skills to match up in the slot. However, he could stand to continue to improve his footwork in this regard. In zone coverage, he has the range and ball skills to be a significant impact piece, but he will need to continue to develop the instincts to process what is going on in front of him more consistently to make the most of his core traits. As a run defender, he shows excellent tackling technique and takes good angles, but he will need to show he can work off blocks if asked to play in the box. Chinn is a developmental project and could take some time to see the field, but he has tons of talent and would be a great fit in what the Panthers appear to be trying to do defensively.
