Vincent Richardson Fills All The Needs
Round 1 (16) – Clelin Ferrell, DE Clemson
This isn’t the pick the Panthers will go into the first round wanting to make, as I’m sure they’d much rather Brian Burns or Andre Dillard make it this far, but I’m just not sure they will. While I wouldn’t completely rule out the idea of them trading back in that situation, or maybe even taking an interior pass rusher to pair with Poe in their three-man front, they are probably most likely to stump for the best edge rusher on the board, which most predict to be Ferrell. Not a great pick, but he can contribute from day one and fills a need.
Round 2 (47) – Will Grier, QB West Virginia
Where the Ferrell pick would be underwhelming, this pick would – by my estimation at least – be actively bad, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. The Panthers are clearly concerned about Cam Newton’s ability to stay consistently healthy going forward, and the idea of them looking to address quarterback is hardly a new one, but this does seem like something of a hedge. If you can hit on a quarterback in the second round it can pay dividends, as even if Cam stays healthy, the Panthers would be able to trade Grier in a year or two for a greater sum in that scenario, but I’m hoping to be wrong about this one.
Round 3 (77) – Deiontae Thompson, FS Alabama
The Panthers spent a third round pick on a free safety last season, but after a year of riding the bench, they are now talking about trying Gaulden back at nickel where he played in college; this leaves the Panthers once again in the situation of not having a free safety on the roster. While Thompson certainly has flaws, it’s hard to argue that he wouldn’t be better at deep safety than career box safety Da’Norris Searcy.
Round 3 (100) – Yodny Cajuste, OT West Virginia
The Panthers are relying on Daryl Williams staying healthy this season with only two tackles on the roster who’ve played an NFL game, and even if he does, he’ll be a pending free agent after the season anyway. Cajuste has some technical issues he needs to clean up, but he does offer developmental potential and if he’s still on the board at this point he’d make sense as somebody to offer short-term depth with the potential to replace Williams in 2020.
Round 4 (115) – Renell Wren, DT/DE Arizona State
One thing that seems to have avoided attention in the talk about the Panthers moving to more of a 3-4 defense is the lack of options they have at 3-tech on the roster. As with Cajuste, Wren needs some work on his technique but his athletic potential is evident, and by the time they get to the final day of the draft, any time you can get a player with starter potential you take them.
Round 5 (154) – Jakobi Meyers, WR NC State
The Panthers have managed to build a relatively strong receiver corps over the last couple of years, but one thing they lack is height, something that could potentially be a factor in the red zone. There are taller receivers than Meyers but he uses his size well to create separation and is a pretty good route runner with great hands.
Round 6 (187) – James Williams, RB Washington State
The Panthers’ brass likely went to Washington State’s Pro Day primarily to watch Dillard, but they could also have some interest in Williams, who might not have starter potential but has probably the closest skillset to McCaffrey of any back in this class and would make sense in the later rounds if the Panthers are looking for a like-for-like backup.
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