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Panthers Draft Picks
| Picks (7) |
|---|
| 8 |
| 39 |
| 73 |
| 113 |
| 151 |
| 222 |
| 226 |
Panthers Draft Odds
| Position of First Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
| Offense | -278 |
| Defense | +215 |
| Odds as of late Wednesday and via DraftKings. | |
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Panthers Draft Needs
- QB: Quarterback is a mess for the Panthers at the moment. They signed Bridgewater to a three-year, $63 million contract just over a year ago, but after a disappointing 2020 in which he threw 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, it appears they’re ready to move on. The team traded for Darnold, whom they’re hoping will have a post-Adam Gase metamorphosis. They could still move up in the draft to select one of the top prospects in the draft.
- OL: Carolina’s pass protection was below average last season allowing 2.2 sacks per game and could use an upgrade at tackle.
- TE: The Panthers have been lost at this position since the departure of Greg Olsen. They used six tight ends last season, the best of which was Thomas who caught 20 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. The team did acquire Arnold, who reeled in 45 passes for 438 yards and four touchdowns for the Cardinals in 2020. The Panthers could definitely use an upgrade at this position.
by Chris Raybon
- QB: When you bring in Sam Darnold as an upgrade on Teddy Bridgewater, it means you have no quarterback.
- WR: D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson are one of the league’s best tandems, but their value isn’t maximized unless the Panthers have a shifty player like the departed Curtis Samuel to take advantage inside. Samuel was second on the team with 77 receptions and seventh among wide receivers in yards from the slot (582). Signing perimeter specialist David Moore from the Seahawks doesn’t address this need.
- TE: Dan Arnold is an upgrade on Ian Thomas, but that’s not saying much: Thomas ranked 48th of 48 qualified tight ends in PFF grade (42.7), but Arnold was still below average at 37th (61.7).
- LT: Projected starter Cam Erving earned a bottom-15th percentile PFF grade in 2020 (58.0) — and it was somehow the best grade of his career by far. Both Darnold and Bridgewater ranked in the bottom-third of the league in passer rating under pressure last season, so fortifying this spot is key.
- G: John Miller graded out 50th of 86 guards, and former Viking Pat Elflein was 78th. Third-year man Dennis Daley could have the inside track to one of the interior spots, but he produced a bottom-10th percentile grade as a starting tackle in 2019.
- DT: After letting Kawann Short, Zach Kerr and Efe Obada walk, the Panthers have little beyond 2020 No. 7 overall pick Derrick Brown.
- CB: The Panthers let slot corner Corn Elder walk after a career year and chose not to re-sign perimeter corner Rasul Douglas, leaving them lacking for depth after Donte Jackson. Boundary corner A.J. Bouye was signed in free agency, but he posted a career-low 55.6 PFF grade and will be 30 years old this season, while 2020 fourth-rounder Troy Pride Jr. graded fifth-worst among 136 qualifiers at the position.
- S: Tre Boston was released, leaving Jeremy Chinn and Juston Burris atop the depth chart. Chinn is a versatile playmaker who may also see time at other positions, which only enhances the need for another starting-caliber safety.
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