Round 3
Pick #68 – Davon Hamilton, iDL, Ohio State
A run-stuffer on the defensive line who needs to develop his pass-rushing skills in the third round will have to be the consolation prize for passing on Derrick Brown in the first round – Hamilton is powerful (6-4, 327) and if he can develop some nuance to his game, he could be a contributor. But I view him as someone that could start next to Kawann Short almost immediately and rotate with Zach Kerr while the Panthers bring him along slowly – we’re not aiming to be our best selves until 2022 anyway, so interior defensive line will need some work next year as well.
I also like the third-round receivers — this will be a running theme in such a deep receiver class, so if I hadn’t pulled the trigger on Reagor in Round 2, I might be interested in Leviska Shenault if he were still available. There will almost certainly be a wideout that falls and be great value – it just depends when the Panthers want to pull the trigger
Pick #69 – Willie Gay, Jr., LB, Mississippi State
In back-to-back picks, I’ve taken players similar to those available with the seventh pick – a run-stuffer in Hamilton and a do-it-all linebacker in Gay. A natural athlete that loves contact and how to tackle, he needs some coaching to improve knowing where he’s supposed to be every time he’s on the field – that being said, athletes like this can be difference-makers and he doesn’t need to contribute right away. He can learn behind Shaq Thompson, Jermaine Carter and Tahir Whitehead for a year before breaking onto the scene in 2021 – I guarantee he makes at least one eye-popping play in 2020, though.
Also Considered: Kyle Duggar, S, Lenoir-Rhyne, Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia, Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
