N’Keal Harry, WR Arizona State
Photo Credit: Getty Images
The Panthers’ receiver group has seen a lot of change this past offseason, with Devin Funchess now the only player left on the roster who has caught more than 15 passes in a Panthers’ uniform. However, with Funchess and Damiere Byrd both entering the final years of their respective contracts and Torrey Smith’s contract effectively having a team option at the end of each year, this group could well undergo even more change next offseason. While Funchess will likely be right at the top of the Panthers’ list of priorities when it comes to resigning players, there is a chance that he isn’t on the roster in 2019, and even if he does come back, the Panthers could well look to fill any spare receiver spot with a player of a similar style to Funchess as most of the other receivers on the Panthers roster are fairly interchangeable with respect to stylistic roles.
Harry might not have Funchess’ bulk, but measuring in at around 6’4 and a tad over 210 lbs he certainly has the size to play on the outside, and on tape shows enough speed to be a threat at all three levels of the field. As a Junior, it is not certain that he will even be available in the 2019 draft, but if he can get anywhere close to the 82-1142-8 season he had as a Sophomore then he could well declare early. On the field, Harry shows promise as a route runner, if somewhat lacking in polish; he has the strength to handle press coverage and with vertical speed and a smooth change of direction he could well develop in a well-rounded outside receiver with some time. While somewhat overrated skills by some, he does show the ability to make plays on the ball in the air as well as an ability to make plays with the ball in hand.
In terms of draft value, Harry’s will likely be determined by how large the hype around him grows by the time the draft rolls around. The talent is undoubtedly there, and should the Panthers indeed be in the market for a receiver in the 2019 draft then he would likely merit interest on the second day of the draft, but as with receivers like Courtland Sutton and especially Mike Williams in recent years, large athletic receivers have a habit of shooting up draft board late in the process. Harry is an interesting prospect to keep an eye on but it would probably be prudent to avoid falling in love quite this early on in the process.
Joe Lowery, OT Ohio
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
Daryl Williams is something of a divisive player for the Panthers, as while his second team All-Pro accolades last season would suggest that he should be viewed as a major part of the offensive line going forward, the tape tells a somewhat different story, and while the Panthers are unlikely to move on from him in 2018 the team and player appear to be miles apart when it comes to contract negotiations for 2019 and beyond – not to mention his torn MCL and dislocated patella. Unless something changes dramatically, it would not be a surprise to see the Panthers with a new right tackle in 2019; however, whether Taylor Moton ends up starting at right or left tackle, this will create a depth problem on the outside for the Panthers, if they don’t already have one, and this could be one of many positions they have an interest in come the latter stages of the 2019 draft.
Of course, when you look to add depth players on the final day of the draft you do so knowing that they are unlikely to be perfect prospects, hence their availability, with most late round players either being highly underdeveloped or lacking in long-term potential. With that being said, good value can be found in the later rounds as players get overlooked for a number of reasons. Often, players from smaller schools who are huge statistical producers or who don’t put up monster numbers at the combine can often get lost in the mix, with a recent example at offensive tackle being Halapoulivaati Vaitai who started at left tackle for the Eagles for most of last season, including their Super Bowl run, after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 draft out of TCU. Like Vaitai, Lowery shows above average athleticism for the position but could do with spending some time in an NFL weight room before seeing the field and while also in need of some technique work shows quick hands and a technically sound slide. Tuning into a game to watch a developmental tackle might be a stretch, but if you’re watching your favorite college team beating up on Ohio, Lowery might be somebody to keep an eye on.
Connor McGovern, OG/C Penn State
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
Regardless of who emerges as the starter at left guard during training camp, the Panthers are going to be in the market for interior offensive linemen again next offseason due to the pending retirement of Ryan Kalil. While he has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, Kalil has been one of the best, if not the best, centers in the NFL over the past decade and the Panthers cannot expect to just push somebody into his place and expect to have anywhere near as much success, especially in pass protection. While Tyler Larsen and Greg van Roten will likely be given a chance by a coaching staff that seems determined to always find an in-house solution to problems, the interest they showed in Frank Ragnow this draft season suggests that they understand that this is a problem they need to address, and when it comes to draft eligible centers in college football in 2018, there aren’t many better than Connor McGovern.
McGovern is on the large size for a center, standing at 6’5 and a shade over 325 lbs, and some have suggested that a move to guard in the NFL might make sense in terms of maximizing his value. On tape, he shows the power to move defenders in the running game, as well as the hand usage to maintain blocks and manipulate defenders to create running lanes; in pass protection, he moves his feet well and shows good balance and arm strength which enables him to negate many pass rushing moves. There are areas he needs to improve on, most notably his body control when trying to make blocks in space, and it is almost certainly unrealistic to expect him or any player to perform at the level Ryan Kalil has for the Panthers, but with the Panthers having no option but to move on from Kalil, they will certainly be looking deeply into all the center options available, McGovern included.
Next Up: Defensive Help – And Yes, A Punter.
