NFL Draft

A Look Ahead: NFL Draft First Round

NFL Draft, Prime Cuts with Norris


The NFL draft is less than a week away, and the Carolina Panthers should have a lot of options at pick seven. With the team concentrating on offense in free agency, they will likely look at mostly defense in the draft. They will look at every option available, but there’s no doubt that Carolina has big holes at certain positions on the defensive side of the ball.

There are a lot of ways Carolina could go, and every possible avenue will be exhausted. They could trade back, trade up, or stand pat, and there’s really no wrong strategy. Obviously trading up from seven would cost too much, but everything is on the table. There are a lot of positions from which to choose, and a lot of talent at Carolina’s positions of need.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

In 2019, Carolina had the fourth worst run defense in the NFL, as teams averaged 143.5 yards rushing against them. There were missed tackles, players in the wrong places, injuries and lack of gap discipline which caused the issues against the run. The Panthers could use a dominant defensive tackle to help against the run, and there are a few in the 2020 draft that could help.

DERRICK BROWN

Brown is the best defensive tackle prospect in the draft. He’s great against the run and as a pass rusher. Brown is quick off the line, especially for a guy his size. He has a bevy of pass rush moves and is rarely contained at the line. He’s a hard worker and a good teammate. Brown exemplifies the type of player that Coach Rhule is looking for. If Brown is there at seven, expect the team to look hard at drafting him.

JAVON KINLAW

Kinlaw is close behind Brown as a defensive tackle prospect. He’s a rocket off the line and has a lot of pass rush moves. He isn’t as mentally sound as Brown, but that can be coached. Some argue that Kinlaw’s upside is higher than Brown. Either way, they can’t go wrong with either player. Carolina could look at trading back a few spots to accumulate more picks, as well as drafting Kinlaw.

The 4 Man Fix Part 4: How to Make the Panthers Great Again

NFL Draft, Prime Cuts with Norris


This is part four of the five part series about how Carolina can become relevant sooner rather than later. Part three was about some free agents that Carolina could look at to fill some open spots on their roster. This article is about some players that need to be targeted in the draft.

This is a very important draft for Matt Rhule and the Carolina Panthers and they need to get these picks right. Marty Hurney hasn’t been very good at getting talent outside of the first round, but it sounds like Rhule, Brady and Snow will have a hand in who Hurney selects. There are sources that believe that Hurney will head to Washington after the draft to be the General Manager, so Rhule and Co. will make sure to pick the right guys. The goal of the draft is to get starters in at least the first three rounds, so that’s what we will cover in this article.

FIRST ROUND


LB Isaiah Simmons – Clemson

Not sure he will be there at pick seven, as his combine probably boosted his value into the top five range. However, if he is there, Carolina should run to the podium with his name on their draft card. He is a position-less player, which means he can play multiple positions well and he’s an insane athlete, and that’s exactly what Rhule is looking for. Simmons is the most versatile player in this draft. At 6’4 and 238 pounds, Simmons ran a 4.39 40 yard dash. There is only one linebacker to run faster than Simmons since the NFL started releasing combine information to the public in 2006. In 2018, Shaquem Griffin ran a 4.38 40, but also weighed 11 less pounds than Simmons.

At Clemson, Simmons didn’t have a certain position, because he played so many different ones. He took 218 snaps at safety, 286 snaps at slot corner, 168 snaps at outside linebacker, 120 snaps at inside linebacker and 17 snaps at outside corner. Simmons also rushed the passer 71 times and had 7 sacks. The former Tiger mentioned that he wants to play weak-side linebacker, which will play right into his athleticism. With Shaq Thompson getting the chance to play middle linebacker, Simmons would thrive on the outside. There’s no way the Panthers can pass up on Simmons at seven if he’s there.


CB Jeff Okudah – Ohio St. 

Like Simmons, it’s not likely that Okudah will make it to pick seven. Okudah is the next big thing out of Corner University (Ohio St.). Okudah has the length and speed that coaches love in corners. He has good ball skills, as he had 3 interceptions last year. Okudah is an outstanding athlete that has quick feet and fluid hips. He can play a variety of coverages, while doing it well. Okudah fits the athletic profile that Matt Rhule is looking for. The Draft Network says that Okudah plays like Jalen Ramsey, which is a really good comparison. Okudah would come into Carolina and take over for James Bradberry, who Carolina is likely letting walk in free agency. The Panthers would have a Pro Bowl caliber corner for at least the next five years with this selection.


OT Mekhi Becton – Louisville

Even though the Panthers just traded for Russell Okung, they will still consider taking a tackle in the draft. Especially since Taylor Moton’s contract is up at the end of this year. Becton is 6’7 and 369 pounds with only 17% body fat. He can do everything you’d want a left tackle to do, and do it well. Becton shows good footwork, drive and awareness in pass sets. He has powerful hands and uses them well. At 6’7, he has a wingspan of over 7 feet. He’s strong, powerful and faster than someone his size should be. His wide frame allows him to eat up a lot of space. It’s almost like this kid was built in the same lab as Cam Newton. Becton was born to play left tackle and he’s going to maul edge rushers for years to come.


DT Derrick Brown – Auburn

Some people fell off the Brown train after his combine performance, which is unfortunate. When looking at a player, you watch the film and look at his potential. Brown’s film was really good. He is one of the best all-around defensive linemen prospects in a long time. Brown is so powerful when rushing the passer or stopping the run. He has a bevy of pass rush moves and counters. The Auburn standout has a high motor and is extremely competitive. His hands are powerful and precise, and can toss blockers aside with ease. Brown has incredible bend and flexibility for a player his size. He will crush you if you run at him. Brown would anchor this defensive line for a long time. He is going to be a dominant force for whoever picks him. Judging by how bad Carolina’s run defense was last year, he should probably be the pick at seven.

Honorable Mentions: Jerry Jeudy, Ceedee Lamb, Andrew Thomas, Javon Kinlaw, Tristan Wirfs

4 Man Mocks 1.0: Norris (Pre-Combine)

4 Man Mocks, NFL Draft


Over the course of the next few weeks, there will be a lot of visits from college prospects for the Carolina Panthers. This is the time of year where we get ramped up for the draft, so we will be doing some mock drafts based on information we are given about visits. This is a pre-combine mock draft, which is based on the little knowledge that we have at this point. Enjoy.

Round One: DL Derrick Brown

Auburn
6’5 318 lbs

Derrick Brown was a five-star athlete out of high school and continued his stellar play in college. He amassed 31.5 tackles for a loss and 11.5 sacks in his last three years at Auburn. If you watch his tape, he has all of the things you look for in a player. He has the high motor and urgency in pass rush and is relentless in run defense. Carolina needs all of the run support they can get, as they allowed a whopping 143.5 yards per game (4th worst in the NFL). Brown has a variety of pass rush moves and uses them in the right situations. He has some of the most powerful hands in this draft and uses them to his advantage. He has incredible speed and flexibility for a big man. His play strength is amazing and he won’t be overpowered by many at the next level.

One thing we know about Matt Rhule is, he likes building the trenches first. He also likes highly athletic players and uses sports science to determine an athlete’s fit. Brown is an absolute stud and would be a day one impact player that fits Rhule’s athletic profile. Rhule also says he likes position-less players, meaning players that can play multiple positions and not pegged at just one. Brown has played every position on the line, from 0 tech to 5 tech. That’s exactly the type of player Rhule is looking for. He’s the perfect player to pair next to Kawann Short, especially since the team is unlikely to pick up Dontari Poe’s option. Brown is a leader on and off the field. Brown isn’t a sexy pick, but he’s a necessary one.

Round Two: CB Cameron Dantzler

Mississippi St.
6’2 185 lbs

Even if Carolina somehow re-signs James Bradberry, they’re going to need another corner on the outside. Donte Jackson seems to be more suited as a slot corner. Dantzler is an athletic corner who would fit in a variety of schemes. He was considered a shut-down corner in the SEC and rarely gave up yards while in coverage. Dantzler has the length and speed that all coaches desire in their corners. He plays with a competitive edge and has great route anticipation. Dantzler had 5 interceptions in three years, but that’s mainly because quarterbacks didn’t throw his way often.

Dantzler’s versatility and athleticism make him a perfect candidate to be drafted by Matt Rhule. We don’t know much about Phil Snow’s defensive scheme, but we do know he needs another corner no matter what. Dantzler has a multi-scheme skill set that makes him the perfect piece for the Panthers’ defense. He may need to add a little weight to his tall frame, which is his only downside.

Round Three: IOL Robert Hunt

Louisiana
6’5 336 lbs

With Greg Van Roten possibly leaving the team via free agency, Carolina could be in the market for a new left guard. Hunt was a four-year starter in college and has experience at both tackle and guard. He’s a nasty run blocker and is pretty mobile for a guy his size. He has strong hands and overwhelming power. Hunt is an aggressive blocker who possesses traits to be an outstanding guard. Matt Rhule is a trenches guy who loves building teams from the inside out. Hunt has the athletic attributes and high football IQ that would be perfect for the Panthers’ offense.

Round Four: DE Alton Robinson

Syracuse
6’3 259 lbs

It’s round four, and you’re seeing a pattern with this draft. Carolina has drafted defense and trenches, which is where they need the most help. This pick isn’t any different. With the Panthers only having Brian Burns, Christian Miller and Marquis Haynes under contract, they could use another edge defender in the mix. Robinson is a good run defender who has a variety of pass rushing moves. He has a high motor and is very explosive. He’s very versatile and can play 4-3 defensive end and 3-4 linebacker. Robinson needs to be a little more consistent, but he’s a good prospect to get in the fourth round.

Round Five: DL Jordan Elliott

Missouri
6’4 315 lbs

Carolina is once again double dipping at defensive tackle with this pick. Elliott is good in run support and has potential to be a starter, with proper coaching. He’s inconsistent and has some mental lapses at times and needs to be coached up. However, he does have some upside. Elliott has a lot of room to grow, but he’s gotten progressively better over the years. With proper coaching, he could be a valuable rotational piece in Carolina’s defense.

Round Six: S Julian Blackmon

Utah
6’1 204 lbs

Carolina needs a safety they can develop into a starter that can take over for Reid in the next season or two. Blackmon is an excellent tackler who also has good ball skills. He isn’t great in coverage right now, but he can be coached. Blackmon has decent play speed and is very competitive. He needs some work, but he has potential, which is all you can ask for with a sixth round pick.

Round Seven: WR Binjimen Victor

Ohio St.
6’4 199 lbs

For a seventh round pick, you’re just hoping for the best. Victor runs good routes and high points the ball. He has strong hands and good play speed. He’s not overly strong, but gives good effort when blocking. He could be a decent possession receiver with good length.

Thanks for taking the time to read these mocks. This will likely change each time based on combine results and team interest. Let us know what you think.

College Prospect Visit List

College Prospect Visits, NFL Draft, Prime Cuts with Norris


Here is a list of college prospects with whom we’ve met. We will add more as we get more info. Each player has their Draft Network Profile attached to their name, if available. Just click on their name and it’ll take you to their page. At the bottom of the page, I will post the local visits and the 30 private visits. Teams are allowed 30 private visits. Local visit means that we have met with a player that either goes to school locally or they were born locally. Local visits are not counted against the 30 private visits.
Due to COVID-19, all private visits have been canceled. Teams will be allowed to have video conferences with players of interest. I will update the list as the information comes in, so check back often! Enjoy!! #KeepPounding #4MR #WhatARush

 

QUARTERBACKS

James Morgan – FIU

6’4  213 lbs

Justin Herbert – Oregon

6’6  227 lbs

Jacob Knipp – Northern Colorado

6’4  218 lbs

Ben DeNucci – James Madison

6’3  209 lbs

Tommy Stevens – Mississippi State

6’5  235 lbs

 

RUNNING BACKS

Reggie Corbin – Illinois

5’10  201 lbs

Eno Benjamin – Arizona St.

5’10  201 lbs

Sewo Olonilua – TCU

6’3  240 lbs

Benjamin Lemay– Charlotte

5’9  216 lbs

Rodney Smith – Minnesota

5’11  210 lbs

Darrynton Evans – Appalachian State

5’11  185 lbs


WIDE RECEIVERS

Chris Finke – Notre Dame

5’10  184 lbs

Diondre Overton – Clemson

6’4  210 lbs

Quintez Cephus – Wisconsin

6’1  207 lbs

Jerry Jeudy – Alabama

6’1  192 lbs

TIGHT ENDS

Ben Ellefson – North Dakota St.

6’3  250 lbs

Harrison Bryant – FAU

6’5  240 lbs

Giovanni Ricci – Western Michigan

6’3  240 lbs

Nigel Kilby – Southern Illinois

6’8  254 lbs

Cam Sutton – Fresno State

6’6  226 lbs

Josiah Deguara – Cincinnati

6’3  245 lbs

OFFENSIVE TACKLES

Jon Runyan – Michigan

6’5  321 lbs

Matt Womack –Alabama

6’7  325 lbs

Yasir Durant – Missouri

6’7  330 lbs

Cameron Clark – Charlotte

6’5  295 lbs

OFFENSIVE GUARDS

Kevin Dotson – Louisiana

6’4  321 lbs


CENTERS

Cesar Ruiz – Michigan

6’4  320 lbs

Matt Hennessy – Temple

6’4  302 lbs

Keith Ismael – San Diego State

6’3  300 lbs

DEFENSIVE ENDS

Kendall Coleman – Syracuse

6’3  253 lbs

Austin Edwards – Ferris St.

6’5  280 lbs

Michael Danna – Central Michigan

6’2  250 lbs

Alton Robinson – Syracuse

6’4  260 lbs

Josh Uche – Michigan

6’2  250 lbs

James Smith-Williams – NC State

6’3  265 lbs

Jonathan Greenard – Florida

6’4  262 lbs

Kenny Willekes – Michigan State

6’4  252 lbs

Alex Highsmith – Charlotte

6’4  242 lbs

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

Bravvion Roy – Baylor

6’1  333 lbs

Javon Kinlaw – South Carolina

6’6  310 lbs

Neville Gallimore – Oklahoma

6’2  301 lbs

Derrick Brown – Auburn

6’5  318 lbs

Ross Blacklock – TCU

6’4  305 lbs

LINEBACKERS

Shaquille Quarterman – Miami

6’1  241 lbs

Mykal Walker – Fresno St.

6’3  230 lbs

Justin Strnad – Wake Forest

6’3  235 lbs

Francis Bernard – Utah

6’1  230 lbs

Casey Toohill – Stanford

6’4  250 lbs

CORNERBACKS

Keith Washington II – West Virginia

6’1  181 lbs

Stantley Thomas-Oliver III – FIU

6’2  183 lbs

Nevelle Clark – UCF

6’1  187 lbs

Amik Robertson – Louisiana Tech

5’9  172 lbs

Chris Williamson – Minnesota

5’11  191 lbs

Levonta Taylor – Florida State

5’10  190 lbs

Isaiah Rodgers – Massachusetts

5’10  170 lbs

Josiah Scott – Michigan State

5’9  185 lbs

SAFETIES

KICKERS

Rodrigo Blankenship – Georgia

6’1  192 lbs

PUNTERS

LOCAL VISITS

30 PRIVATE VISITS

 

 

 

Draft Outlook: Where Will Carolina Pick?

NFL Draft, Prime Cuts with Norris


With the loss on Sunday, the Panthers moved from pick 14 to pick 12. Looking at the remaining schedule, it’s likely that Carolina will lose the rest of the games. Unless, of course, they pull off a miracle or the Saints sit their starters in week 17 again. There are three teams with the same record as Carolina, and two more teams that are within a game of them. Let’s take a look:

Denver Broncos 5-8

The Broncos are 11th in draft order, and they will likely move up. Behind the play of rookie quarterback, Drew Lock, Denver put up 38 points against the Houston Texans, beating them on the road. They play the Chiefs this week, but their last two games are against the reeling Lions and the Raiders. I’d like to think they’d win at least one of those games, but likely two of them. They should finish 7-9.

LA Chargers 5-8

The Chargers are currently in 10th place in draft order. They looked good against the Jaguars last week, as they dropped 45 points on them. They’ve won three out of their last six, and those three losses were close games. The Raiders beat them by two, the Chiefs beat them by seven and the Broncos beat them by three. They’re last three opponents are the Vikings, Raiders and Chiefs. Depending on which Chargers’ team shows up, they can beat any of these teams. Realistically, they’ll likely end the season at 6-10, after only beating the Raiders. They could beat the Chiefs in week 17 if the Chiefs sit their starters, as well.

New York Jets 5-8

New York is currently in 9th place in draft order, and they have a tougher schedule than you’d want them to have. Their next three games are the Ravens, Steelers and Bills. The only game they could possibly win is against the Bills, only because it’s a division rival and Buffalo only won by one point in their last meeting. If they can pull off the upset against any of these teams, it will help the Panthers’ draft order immensely. Hopefully they’ll end up 6-10.

Atlanta Falcons 4-9

Atlanta sits in 8th place, and we can all agree that we don’t want them drafting ahead of Carolina. The Falcons play San Francisco, Jacksonville and Tampa in their last three games. Realistically, I don’t think they can beat the 49ers, but they’ve been playing well enough to beat them. They should beat the Jaguars and Bucs, without a doubt. Even if the Falcons only win one more game and finished with the same record as Carolina, the Panthers would still jump ahead of Atlanta in the draft based on strength of schedule. They’ll likely finish 6-10, if they keep up their current play.

Jacksonville Jaguars 4-9

The Jaguars are struggling right now, and they’re sitting at 7th in draft order. Not sure that they’ll win another game, but it’s possible. The games they have left are against the Raiders, Falcons and Colts. It’s not likely they’ll beat the Falcons, as they’ve been playing well lately. The Colts have dropped five of the last six games, so it’s possible that the Jags could beat them. They could also possibly beat the Raiders, although it’s not likely they beat both. The Jaguars will probably win one of the last three, putting them at 5-8. Fortunately, they’ll still be ahead of Carolina in draft order due to strength of schedule.

WILDCARD

Detroit Lions 3-9-1

Detroit is a wildcard team in this scenario. They’re currently in 5th place for the order of the draft, and have a schedule that they could win two of the last three games. With their last three games being against the Bucs, Broncos and Packers, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that they’ll win two of those three. Especially if Matt Stafford returns to action. This scenario isn’t likely, but possible. If Detroit gets to 5-10-1, Carolina will move ahead of them in draft order.

The top 5-6 picks are pretty much set, and a few of these things likely won’t happen. After all is said and done, I expect Carolina to pick either 7th or 8th in the 2020 draft. With any luck, they’ll draft either left tackle Andrew Thomas (they might have to trade to 2nd overall to get him) or defensive lineman Derrick Brown from Auburn. What do you think about this draft position and who would you want at that spot? #KeepPounding

Post Draft Prime Cuts: Getting to Know the Picks

NFL Draft, Prime Cuts with Norris

Well, the draft has came and went. All of that waiting is over and fans finally know what players Carolina wanted. Over the last few weeks, 4 Man Rush has kept you up to date on all of the players that Carolina has met with. It’s given fans an idea of the players that the team was interested in. The first three picks were pretty easy to figure out, as they were the most visited of all the prospects for the Panthers. This is going to be a quick overview of the players that Carolina selected in this year’s draft.

Pick 16. OLB/DE Brian Burns

Florida St.

Brian Burns stated early into the process that Carolina had shown him the most interest, per Jonathan Jones of Sports Illustrated. Carolina met with Burns at Florida State’s pro day. They also had Burns in for a top 30 private visit. There have been rumors that Carolina will be using more 3-4 looks during this upcoming season. This pick signifies the tweak in philosophy. Burns brings speed to the edge rush. He simply outruns his blockers and gets into the backfield. Burns is going to be an immediate playmaker in this defense. He has elite athleticism, bend, get-off, lateral quickness and flexibility, which will translate well into the NFL. He’s really good at creating pressure. This was the perfect pick for Carolina, as they’ve needed youth and speed in their defense for a couple of years.

On a more personal note, Burns’ brother, Stanley McClover, was drafted by the Panthers in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Burns loves Marvel Comics. More specifically, he loves Spider-Man. At FSU, Burns would often do Spider-Man celebrations after making a play.

One of the question marks about Burns prior to the combine was his skinny frame. He played last season at 235 pounds. At the next level, a 6’5 235 pound defensive end probably isn’t going to run through elite 300 pound offensive linemen. After the season, Burns met with a nutritionist every day to bulk up. He admitted that it was hard, but he knew he’d need to pack on some weight. After all the hard work, Burns weighed in at 249 pounds at the combine. Scouts took notice, and Burns was placed atop of Carolina’s draft board. It’s nice when things work out.

Pick Grade: A

Pick 37. OT Greg Little

Ole Miss

Little was also pretty easy to pick out as a favorite by the Panthers. Carolina spoke with Little at the combine and his pro day, where he impressed them. So much so, that they held a workout for him and also brought him in for a top 30 visit. The Panthers loved Little so much, that they were considering drafting him at pick 16 if Brian Burns wasn’t there. When the draft made it to pick 22, Marty Hurney was on the phone trying to trade back into the first round to get their left tackle of the future. Teams wanted too much in return, so Hurney didn’t pull the trigger. That turned out to be a blessing, as the first round closed out with four the top tackles on the board. One of which was Little, who Carolina coveted. On day two, Carolina knew they had to trade up to get a top tackle, so Hurney offered picks 47 and 77 to Seattle to move up to pick 37. Hurney did give up more than he wanted, but it’s what he needed to do to get his guy. He was trying to trade picks 47 and 100, but Seattle wouldn’t budge. If Little turns out to be a stud at left tackle for the next ten years, this trade will look like a steal.

Little’s forte is pass protection, which Carolina needs on the left side. At Ole Miss, Little only allowed 26 pressures and 3 sacks in 993 snaps, which is pretty amazing. He has the athleticism needed to play in the Panthers’ offense and is very agile for someone his size. He’s a natural bender with elite lateral quickness. He has the desired foot speed needed to be an NFL left tackle. He needs to become a better run blocker, but that’s easily taught. John Matsko is one of the best offensive line coaches in the league, and he also has the help of former Panthers offensive lineman Travelle Wharton. Fans don’t need to be worried about Little’s run blocking, as it just needs a small tweak. All in all, this was the perfect fit for Carolina, as they put an emphasis on protecting Cam Newton’s blindside.

Little was born in Texas in 1997, and weighed 11 pounds 2 ounces. Coming out of high school, Little was a five star recruit, ranked second behind defensive end, Rashan Gary. He has football bloodlines, as his father played college football at South Carolina and was drafted by the Buccaneers in 1989. He’s known to be a shy, soft spoken guy off the field. On the field, Little is known to be a leader and good locker room guy. Little will give the Panthers an instant upgrade at the left tackle position. This pick likely means that Daryl Williams will make the move to left guard, since Taylor Moton played lights out at right tackle last season.

Pick Grade: A-

Pick 100: QB Will Grier

West Virginia

This was another easy call to make, since Carolina used virtually every avenue to meet with Grier. Carolina met with him at the combine, pro day, local day and also met with him for dinner. At Grier’s pro day workout, Norv Turner was seemingly swooning over Grier, which we saw him doing last year when he was courting DJ Moore.

There’s no doubt that Grier is a good quarterback prospect. He’s known for making clutch throws and being a leader in the locker room. He’s good at deciphering defenses and making pre-snap adjustments. There aren’t many throws that Grier can’t make and the vast majority are made with precise accuracy. He has all of the intangibles that teams look for in a back up quarterback, and is a good candidate to be groomed for an eventual replacement for Cam once he retires. He isn’t going to push Cam out of the number one spot, since Cam is still a top ten quarterback in the NFL. A few talking heads have stated otherwise, but it isn’t happening. At this point, Grier isn’t ready to be the full time starter for the Panthers. He is, however, ready to beat out Kyle Allen as the backup.

Grier is from the Charlotte area and grew up a Panthers fan, so this is a dream come true for him. He went to Davidson Day School in Davidson, NC. As a junior, he threw for 837 yards in one game. As a senior he had 4,989 yards passing and a nation-leading 77 touchdowns, which was also a North Carolina record. He also rushed for 1,251 yards for 13 touchdowns. He was named a Parade All-American and also Mr. Football USA.

When pick 100 rolled around on Friday night, Carolina had other needs besides quarterback. Safety was the main position that fans were clamoring for. There were still two starting quality safeties on the board, but ultimately, Carolina felt that backup quarterback was a bigger need. Plus, the two safeties that were left were too similar to Eric Reid. There are rumors swirling that Carolina will sign a safety in the second phase of free agency, and the fact that they didn’t pick one in the draft shows that this could be true. Bottom line is, this was Hurney’s guy. The board fell exactly the way they wanted it to and it paid off. Grier is a nice insurance policy for Cam, just in case his shoulder has a setback. Grier could come in and succeed with the weapons that Carolina has given the offense. Let’s be clear….a healthy Cam is still the starter over Grier. Overall, this pick wasn’t the first choice for fans, but could be a value pick if he turns into the eventual starter after Cam retires.

Pick Grade: B-

Pick 115: OLB/DE Christian Miller

Alabama

As pick 115 rolled around, the consensus fan pick would’ve been a safety, but the safeties that were left didn’t have the value that Christian Miller did. Carolina wanted to inject youth and speed into their pass rush, and that’s what they did. Miller is a first round talent that struggled with injuries and was behind a talented linebacker Corp at Alabama. This should’ve been easy for fans to figure out too, since the Panthers used a top 30 private visit on Miller. In Marty Hurney’s post-draft press conference, he said that him and Coach Rivera had been taking about Miller for a long time. He also said that he was shocked that Miller made it to the fourth round. Most fans should’ve been shocked. Miller is an absolute steal at pick 115.

Miller is a good pass rusher with elite get off and speed. He has solid lateral quickness and pursuit speed. He uses his long arms well, as he knocks the ball down at the line of scrimmage regularly. Christian has good bend and has an array of pass rush moves. He’s a really smart kid with a high football IQ. He can decipher a play with ease, despite not having a lot of playing time in college. He’s very good at dropping back into coverage. He is a natural leader and known for being a good teammate and hard worker. He will fit perfectly in this defense, no matter what look Carolina gives.

Miller also has football in his blood. His father, linebacker Corey Miller, was a nine year veteran in the NFL for the Giants and Vikings. Corey played an integral part in helping Christian become a pass rusher. Miller was born in Columbia, South Carolina. He played at Spring Valley High School and was a four-star recruit. He had some hamstring issues in college that hampered his playing time, but he says that it is fully healed and he’s ready to go. Miller is a player that fans should be really excited about, because he has the potential to be a special player in the NFL.

Pick Grade: A-

Pick 154: RB Jordan Scarlett

Florida

Throughout the pre-draft process, Marty Hurney continued to state that they’d like to get a running back that has the same skill set as starter Christian McCaffrey. That’s why the Scarlett pick is somewhat of a surprise. Scarlett is more of a bruising back, despite his size. He spends a lot of time lifting weights and can bench press 465 pounds. He has the foot quickness that is coveted by teams and keeps his feet moving throughout contact to get extra yardage. He has quick acceleration and smoothly changes direction. He’s a bruising back that will break tackles every time he has the ball in his hands. Speaking of hands, his are dreadful in the passing game. He offers little third down value based on his lack of receiving ability.

Scarlett has also had some character issues. As a freshman in 2015, he missed a bowl game due to misdemeanor marijuana charges. In 2017, he was suspended for credit card fraud. Carolina must feel like that lifestyle is behind him, because they wouldn’t draft a guy who has that many character concerns. There’s little doubt that the leaders in Carolina will help Scarlett stay out of trouble.

Scarlett went to St. Aquinas High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He was the 2014 class 8A-7A-6A Player of the Year. He also helped the team win a state championship that same year. He was named to the 2014 Class 7-A All State First Team. He also played in the US All-American Bowl Game in San Antonio, Texas. At Florida, he ran 344 times for 1,846 yards and 12 touchdowns in three seasons. He spent the entire 2017 suspended and away from the team. So he still has a lot of tread on his tires and should be a nice compliment to Christian McCaffrey. Even though Carolina just re-signed Cameron Artis-Payne, look for Scarlett to push him out of the back-up role. Scarlett plays with solid speed and power. He’s going to be a nice piece in this offense.

Pick Grade: C+

Pick 212: OT Dennis Daley

South Carolina

Carolina traded pick 187 to Denver for picks 212 and 237. At 212, the Panthers decided to jump at another offensive lineman that will likely be a back-up to fellow rookie, Greg Little. Daley was originally pegged as a fourth or fifth round prospect, so Marty Hurney was thrilled to get him in the sixth round. After being drafted, Daley stated that he would play left guard (or any other position) if the coaches ask him to. It’s not likely that Daley will start in year one, barring injury. He could get his chance next year, when former All-Pro Daryl Williams likely goes to another team via free agency.

Daley has some upside as a tackle but he’s pretty raw right now. Although, he’s actually pretty solid in both pass blocking and run blocking. If you’re power rushing up the middle, good luck. You’re not getting to Cam. That’s Daley’s specialty. There are some things technique wise that he needs to improve on, such as footwork, but John Matsko is the offensive line whisperer, so expect Daley to improve each year. There’s a lot to like about his run blocking too. Multiple run schemes at South Carolina showed that Daley can do almost anything in the run game, and he does it with fierce intensity. He needs to improve his pad level and leverage in the run game, but has the frame and build that NFL teams covet in tackles. He definitely needs to improve on some areas, but learning from Matsko, Moton and Williams should help mold him into a serviceable left tackle or possibly left guard. He’s also known for being a leader and fierce competitor. There’s a lot to like about the potential of this guy.

Daley went to Ridge View High School in Columbia, South Carolina. The first two years of Daley’s college career were spent at Georgia Military College. In his sophomore season there, he earned first-team All-American honors. Daley has said that it was the hardest two years of his life, but also the most rewarding. It taught him to be more disciplined and motivated him to be better. He then transferred to The University of South Carolina, where he almost immediately became a starter at left tackle. As a junior and senior, he’d start 23 of 24 games at left tackle. The Panthers doubled down at the tackle position, which was a smart move, given the current state of the left tackle spot. The fact that they got Daley so late, should give fans hope for the future.

Pick Grade: B+

Pick 237: WR Terry Godwin

Georgia

When pick 237 came around, Hurney picked a wide receiver that he met with at the Shrine Bowl. Godwin would be a solid slot receiver for the Panthers in a year or two if he works hard. Godwin runs crisp routes and gets separation. Has consistent play speed and soft hands. Godwin’s frame is a little too skinny and doesn’t have adequate play strength, but time in the gym can help that. He does have short arms, so his catch radius is below average and he won’t get a lot of contested catches. Putting Godwin in the slot will give Cam an added weapon that can make something happen after the catch.

Godwin does have an uphill battle to make the 53 man roster, though. The wide receiver room currently has DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel, Jarius Wright, Chris Hogan, Torrey Smith, Rashad Ross, Andre Levrone, DeAndrew White and Moss Frazier. There is no doubt that Moore, Samuel, Wright, Hogan and Smith make the roster, but it’s a toss up between Godwin and Ross for that final spot. Based on Ross’ return ability, it’s believed that he has the edge. Godwin is going to have to play lights out in the preseason to get a spot on the roster, and he has the will to do so.

Godwin went to Callaway High School in Hogansville, Georgia. He was a Prep Magazine five-star prospect, ranked 14th nationally. As a freshman at Georgia, he won one of the Newcomer of the Year Awards and also won Taxslayer Bowl MVP honors later that year. Godwin’s statistics weren’t great, but that’s mainly due to Georgia’s offense being more of a run first scheme. The Bulldogs averaged 226 yards passing per game last season, and Godwin had to share catches with fellow draftees Riley Ridley and Mecole Hardman. Regardless, Marty Hurney got another potential weapon for Cam. Best of luck to you, Terry.

Pick Grade: C

It’s hard to judge a draft class before the players hit the field, but it looks like this was a solid draft. Marty Hurney got two speedy pass rushers, two offensive linemen with high upside, two weapons for Cam and a backup quarterback that can be groomed. Fans should be really excited about this year and the future of this team. Thanks for taking the time to read. Hopefully this gave fans some insight on the Panthers new draft picks.

By: 4MR Norris Thornburg May 5, 2019