Biggest Panthers needs/solution going into draft

[TheSpecialJuan]

Panthers’ Needs
By Andy Benoit

Perhaps the biggest shock of 2015 was how successful Carolina’s passing game was with a wide receiving corps that was mediocre even before Kelvin Benjamin tore his ACL. Thanks to a commitment to heavy six-and seven-man pass protections, and to Cam Newton’s refinements as a pocket passer, the Panthers were able to manufacture one of the league’s most downfield-oriented aerial assaults. The question now is whether GM Dave Gettleman is willing to try his luck twice. If he’s not, he’ll draft a pass catcher on Day 1 or 2. If he is willing to take the risk, it will be interesting to see how he uses his early picks in lieu of receivers. After Von Miller ate Mike Remmers alive in the Super Bowl, it’s tempting to say the team needs a new right tackle. But Remmers actually had a stellar season before that game. Plus, one of the benefits of committing to six-and seven-man protections is that you don’t need to invest heavily at offensive tackle. The scheme naturally gives tackles help. Instead of drafting a tackle, Gettleman is more likely to do the opposite by taking a defensive end. The Panthers never replaced Greg Hardy. Charles Johnson is back but not an elite edge burner. Someone to play ahead of him and opposite the fast-rising Kony Ealy would be great.

Panthers’ Solutions
By Andy Staples

Picking No. 30 in the first round, the Panthers will have their choice narrowed for them. They should be able to get a receiver or an edge rusher here, but who will beleft? Will questions about Spence’s past or Dodd’s rawness push them down to Carolina? Will Coleman still be available? What about Notre Dame’s Fuller? The Panthers will be able to get one of what they need, but they may not have a huge selection from which to choose. If they go receiver in the first, they could pick up a pass rusher such as Penn State’s Carl Nassib in the second round. Nassib, who walked on in State College, blossomed as a senior. He’s long and lean, and he may need some time to develop. But the Panthers have enough talent to allow for a little development. If Carolina wants some options at offensive tackle, there will be players to take in the middle rounds. John Theus started for four years at Georgia and faced many of the same rushers he’ll see in the NFL. Ole Miss tackle Fahn Cooper was overshadowed by teammate Laremy Tunsil, but Cooper is an intriguing prospect. Cooper started at left tackle as a redshirt freshman at Bowling Green, but he left there and went to a junior college with the hope of eventually transferring to a Power Five school. He moved on to Ole Miss, where he developed into a future pro opposite Tunsil—and in place of Tunsil at left tackle when Tunsil was suspended for NCAA violations in 2015.

 

[TheSpecialJuan]

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/04/19/themmqb-nfc-nfl-draft-projections-2016-andy-benoit-andy-staples

[KB_fan]

Thanks for this.  I've become a fan of MMQB this season.  Peter King can be an ass, but the writing is good there.  Usually worth the time.

Another analysis I thought was pretty well done was this one by Edward Salmingo at Panthers Wire (which was linked by the Panthers in an "on the prowl" article (links round up) at their website)

http://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2016/04/22/6-needs-the-panthers-could-fill-in-the-nfl-draft/

Although the Panthers return nearly all their starters from a Super Bowl-contending roster, there are still a few positions that Carolina can shore up through the 2016 NFL draft.

 

Quote

 

1) Cornerback

A mild need turned into a desperate need when Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman decided to rescind the franchise tag from Josh Norman. They reached the Super Bowl with late free-agent signings Robert McClain and Cortland Finnegan, but Carolina does not currently have someone who could match up with a No. 1 wide receiver.

Possible day 1 selection: Of all the possible cornerbacks that could fall to the Panthers, Houston’s William Jackson III is the absolute best and could possibly replace Norman immediately. He is a tall cornerback that is lightning fast and can jump out of the building. He was mocked to the Panthers by USA Today Sports’ Nate Davis.

Possible day 2 selection: I wouldn’t be surprised if the Panthers targeted Southern Mississippi’s Kalan Reed. He has the swagger, coverage skills, and playmaking ability present in Josh Norman.

Possible day 3 selections: Baylor’s Xavien Howard has the size that Gettleman covets, but he does not have ideal athleticism. Southeastern Louisiana’s Harlan Miller could be the most likely pick; the Panthers have met with this playmaking corner multiple times pre-draft.

 

 

Quote

 

2) Offensive tackle

The Panthers offense runs a max protection and read-option scheme that does not require much from their offensive tackles. But any Carolina fan who watched the Super Bowl knows upgrading their pass protection and run blocking along the edge is a glaring need.

Possible day 1 selection: Ohio State’s Taylor Decker completely mauls defenders and is a perfect fit for the physical nature of this team. He is a dark horse candidate for the Panthers at 30. 

Possible day 2 selection: Texas A&M’s Germain Ifedi is a popular mock draft pick for the Panthers. He has the body and strength of an ideal NFL offensive tackle but needs to refine his game.

Possible day 3 selections: Auburn’s Shon Coleman needs more refinement in his pass protection, but he is a strong run blocking right tackle. Joe Thuney of North Carolina State lacks ideal size but he allowed very few pressures and played four positions on the offensive line.

 

 

[Cpt slay a ho]

Cb,ot,de,s,wr in that order 

[TheSpecialJuan]

1 hour ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Panthers’ Needs
By Andy Benoit

Perhaps the biggest shock of 2015 was how successful Carolina’s passing game was with a wide receiving corps that was mediocre even before Kelvin Benjamin tore his ACL. Thanks to a commitment to heavy six-and seven-man pass protections, and to Cam Newton’s refinements as a pocket passer, the Panthers were able to manufacture one of the league’s most downfield-oriented aerial assaults. The question now is whether GM Dave Gettleman is willing to try his luck twice. If he’s not, he’ll draft a pass catcher on Day 1 or 2. If he is willing to take the risk, it will be interesting to see how he uses his early picks in lieu of receivers. After Von Miller ate Mike Remmers alive in the Super Bowl, it’s tempting to say the team needs a new right tackle. But Remmers actually had a stellar season before that game. Plus, one of the benefits of committing to six-and seven-man protections is that you don’t need to invest heavily at offensive tackle. The scheme naturally gives tackles help. Instead of drafting a tackle, Gettleman is more likely to do the opposite by taking a defensive end. The Panthers never replaced Greg Hardy. Charles Johnson is back but not an elite edge burner. Someone to play ahead of him and opposite the fast-rising Kony Ealy would be great.

 

 

Spot on. 

98% of mock drafts have us taking a OT at 30. 98% of those mock drafts will be wrong.

[CRA]

OT...because I don't like those max protections we are forced into in order to pass.   We are having to adjust because of a weakness.  Equivalent of having weak pass rushers and being forced to be overly aggressive with the blitz

DE

DB

WR

RB

[Pejorative Miscreant]

2 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Spot on. 

98% of mock drafts have us taking a OT at 30. 98% of those mock drafts will be wrong.

Seems like about 98% of the mocks have had us going LT for the past 3-4 years. 

[LinvilleGorge]

Nassib is a guy I like.  He and Eric Murray are two guys that I'm surprised we haven't shown more attention.

[juliosantos]

We're picking henry

[the butch]

We have enough talent at OT relative to other positions. I expect Dave to go DE if one is there. If not, I could see us trading down, adding picks, and still grabbing one of the Henry's at the top of the 2d. 

[stirs]

1st Round    DE

2nd Round  DT

3rd Round  CB

4th Round  OT

5th Round  WR

7th Round S

 

Gman not reactionary 

[raleigh-panther]

Probable defensive end but for a run heavy team anyone who thinks Stewart, FoZzy, CAP  are the answers,nope.  Stewart is approaching 30.  His healthy meter ,can go band any second with those ankles and feet.   The RBs behind him collectively are 3rd string at best.  Tolbert, pls spot player at best

this backfield needs speed...cutting speed and burst at the line. They don't have it.  Atlanta and Tampa will be better defensively 

its time. Again DE probable

[Growl]

William Jackson III slipping to us would be sweet 

[Swaggasaurus]

Jackson won't sacrifice his body in the run game. Biggest needs are obviously CB and S.