ROUND TWO
DT Ross Blacklock – TCU
If Carolina goes another direction in round one, Blacklock would be a good pick to solidify the middle of the defensive line. Blacklock has a high motor with a lot of juice. He’s good against the run and pass. Blacklock has all of the tools to be an impact starter for a long time in the NFL. Can you imagine Okudah or Simmons and Blacklock on the Carolina defense?
CB Travon Diggs – Alabama
With Bradberry not likely to come back, Carolina will desperately need a starting caliber corner. Diggs is a solid corner to look at in the second round, especially if Jeff Gladney is gone. He’s a long corner who doesn’t really have many deficiencies in coverage. As a former high school receiver, he has good hands. He could use a refresher course in tackling, but that can be coached. Diggs would be a day one starter in the Carolina defense.
LB Kenneth Murray – Oklahoma
Murray in the second round seemed far-fetched a month ago, but that’s where he’s being projected now. Getting Murray at 38 would be a steal for Carolina, as they need to find a linebacker to replace Luke Kuechly. He is fast, smart, physical and tough. Murray can get through a gap without being touched due to his elite quickness and explosiveness. He’d be a solid pick at 38.
C Lloyd Cushenberry III – LSU
It’s no secret that Matt Paradis didn’t perform well in his first year with the Panthers. A lot of it can be attributed to him having a lower body injury the previous year and it taking a long time to heal properly. Cushenberry could be the perfect player to draft in the second round, even if Paradis comes back strong in 2020. He can play guard this year and move into center if Carolina deems Paradis unfit to play anymore. Cushenberry has very good power when run blocking and he’s even better in pass protection. His awareness is off the charts and he could be the starting center for the next ten years. Not to mention, he’s very familiar with Panthers’ offensive coordinator, Joe Brady.