Matt Miller (formerly of Bleacher Report) has a new site which was free today but will soon be paid for so I thought I'd snag the Panthers picks. Worth noting no trades were allowed and no compensatory picks until they are announced- Panthers don't have a 7th this year. H e also states this:
8. Carolina Panthers —
Team Needs: Tier 1 QB, OT, CB | Tier 2 LB, TE, IDL | Tier 3 IOL, EDGE, RB
The Pick: QB JUSTIN FIELDS, OHIO STATE
Analysis: The trade of Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams that netted the Detroit Lions Jared Goff changed up the quarterback market not just for veterans, but also for incoming rookies.
Because of needs at the position and due to a mock draft with no trades, Justin Fields is available at No. 8 overall and the Carolina Panthers—a team that was aggressive in trying to add Stafford—land a passer who in most years would rank as QB1.
Fields reminds me of Justin Herbert last year. He’s a big-armed thrower, excellent athlete and has loads of upside. But like Herbert, we’ve been hearing about Fields for three seasons now. There is a level of prospect fatigue that sets in for both teams and the media. More time to pick apart a player isn’t always a good thing, and for some it’s pushing Fields down the board.
And let’s get this clear—he is not Dwayne Haskins. Fields is a mature leader with a high football IQ. He also has a much stronger arm and is a much better athlete. “Scout the player, not the helmet” is a go-to saying of mine and it holds true with Fields.
Now, give offensive coordinator Joe Brady a talent like Fields and the two could be magical. And to further the Herbert narrative, Fields has abilities that weren’t always put on display at Ohio State. Determining what he can do and not simply what was asked of him will be key for evaluators over the next two months, but my line of caution on Fields would be for those watching the tape to not overthink it.
39. Carolina Panthers
The Pick: OT James Hudson, Cincinnati
Previous Pick: QB
73. Carolina Panthers
The Pick: CB Asante Samuel Jr., FSU
Previous Picks: QB, OT
104. Carolina Panthers
The Pick: TE Hunter Long, Boston College
Previous Picks: QB, OT, CB
135. Carolina Panthers
The Pick: WR Frank Darby, Arizona State
Previous Picks: QB, OT, CB
169. Carolina Panthers
The Pick: DL Osa Odighizuwa, UCLA
Previous Picks: QB, OT, CB, WR