While it seems as if every offseason begins with the caveat that it is ‘one of the most important in the recent history of the franchise’, that theme might never be more prevalent for the Carolina Panthers as Matt Rhule, Marty Hurney and David Tepper prepare to rebuild the roster in their image – and the way it’s currently constructed, there are a lot of different roadmaps to building what they hope will be a championship roster once their process is complete.
While many teams have a clear and outstanding need at a certain position or two, the Panthers could use their first selection in next month’s draft at a multitude of positions – a 5-11 team with a lot of roster turnover has a lot of room to improve – and that’s without the possibilities of trading up or trading down, which Matt Rhule has already made clear is very much on the table.
But if the Panthers choose to stay put at seven, here are some top options for them to consider after last week’s Scouting Combine – at five different positions.
DT Derrick Brown, Auburn
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With the Panthers run defense being historically bad last year and the Panthers not expected to pick up Dontari Poe’s option for next season in addition to Vernon Butler and Kyle Love expected to leave in free agency, they’ll need a big man to line up next to Kawann Short and Brown, even after a shaky showing at the combine last week – his 27-inch vertical jump, 4.79-second 20-yard shuttle and 8.22-second 3-cone drill were some of the worst among defensive linemen – has enough on tape to justify this high of a pick.
Especially if the Panthers are planning to build Phil Snow’s defense from the inside out. While Brown has his warts – some have posited that he tended to rely on his talent at times in college – someone is going to make him a top-15 pick.
Be sure to watch Auburn’s Pro Day this week to see if Brown can improve his drills, but moreso to see which Panthers coaches and staff head down south to watch him. Javon Kinlaw, who may also be in the mix for a top ten pick after an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl, is expected to participate in South Carolina’s Pro Day on March 19th after missing the Combine with knee tendinitis – the same caveat to keep an eye on him later this month applies.
What Brown Said: “Pass, run, it was a double-team frenzy when it came time to play against us. And that was my job, that’s what I was supposed to be doing in the defense, be able to help other guys be better. So that’s what I did, tried to do my job to the highest level that I could…I know if there’s two on me, it means one of us is free. So somebody’s about to come make a play.”
T Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
Photo Credit: Brian Spurlock/USA Today Sports
There are a lot of tackles to consider at this position in the draft – Andrew Thomas, Mekhi Becton, Wirfs and Jedrick Wills are all expected to be drafted in or around the top fifteen – and after the Panthers gave up the most sacks in the NFL last season, Becton would be able to fill the immediate hole that Trai Turner (trade) or Greg Van Roten (a free agent) would leave at guard with the ability to perhaps slide out to tackle should the Panthers elect to let Taylor Moton leave after his deal is up in 2021 or Greg Little continues to struggle through the injuries that plagued him in 2019.
The Panthers, however, may be hesitant to give up so quickly on Little, who missed 12 games with two concussions and then a high ankle sprain later in the season, after trading up to draft him in the second round and having a first round valuation on him, not to mention the addition of Russell Okung – so if they were to use top ten draft capital on an offensive lineman, someone like Wirfs, who before showing off better-than-expected size and athleticism at the Combine was projected as a Pro Bowl guard, would fit an immediate need while still turning a possible eye to the future on the outside.
What Wirfs Said: “I think kind of the competitive aspect of it being, you want to be the best. Second is the first loser, so I want to be the first tackle taken. I want to be on show everybody that I can be the most athletic. I’m excited. I’m just ready to go.”
Up Next: Quarterbacks, Cornerbacks and…..Every Position?
