Dane Bruegler’s pick for Panthers plus a few others in top 10

[raleigh-panther]

5. Carolina Panthers: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

If the Panthers wind up with a top-five pick, almost every position would be an option as general manager Dan Morgan hunts for difference-makers. A lack of juice off the edge has been a particular problem in Carolina, especially when Jadeveon Clowney isn’t on the field.

Carter is not yet a finished product and is still learning how to use all of his gifts, but his freaky burst and developing power make for a promising foundation.
 

1. Jax. Hunter

2 Vegas Cam Ward

3. Giants. S Sander 

      these are the only 2 qbs in first rd

8. browns   Mason graham

10. New Orleans Saints: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Even with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed expected back in the fold next year, the Saints need more playmaking size at receiver.

McMillan isn’t going to blow away teams with his 40-yard dash, but his catch-point skills will win over NFL coaches. Using his Gumby-ish adjustment skills, he does an outstanding job expanding his catch radius, high pointing and becoming a threat as a ball carrier.

 

[UNCrules2187]

I would be thrilled with one of McMillan, Carter, or Graham. Think we will get a real difference maker as long as we are picking somewhere around 4-7 or so. 

[Daeavorn]

I have to say I'm not really that thrilled by the prospect of drafting another guy in the 1st that can't contribute immediately.

[ChuckWag78]

Man, I really don't want a project DE in the top 10. 

[pdub0702]

Mason Graham. Dude seems like he’s starting day 1 and him and Brown would make the edges look better immediately 

[Stingray3030]

This guy is not as much of a project as you all are reading into it - he is a 3-yr starter for Penn State in a tough conference.  He has 10 sacks in 12 games and 20TFL this year.  I believe the comment is more that he has only begun to tap into his potential because he is converting to EDGE from LB this year - he is already an effective pass rusher from the stand up, just adding to it in a 3-pt edge stance.  In our scheme this position is exactly what he is doing now at a very high level.  Just an opinion but his numbers don't look like a project - more a solid start with a fast learning curve, crazy upside potential.  Worst case scenario he is our best OLB instead of best EDGE.  He is my #1 choice at the moment in case that wasn't obvious lol

[amcoolio]

Its easier to build the defense in free agency than get a #1 weapon. Take Hunter or McMillan if available. If not, hopefully a QB is and trade down  

[CamWhoaaCam]

5 minutes ago, amcoolio said:

Its easier to build the defense in free agency than get a #1 weapon. Take Hunter or McMillan if available. If not, hopefully a QB is and trade down  

Basically this, but I'm positive Hunter won't be available anyway. I would be shocked if Jacksonville passed him up.

[Stingray3030]

8 minutes ago, amcoolio said:

Its easier to build the defense in free agency than get a #1 weapon. Take Hunter or McMillan if available. If not, hopefully a QB is and trade down  

That is a very high level statement - realistically that is true for many of the positions but rarely for EDGE guys.  The top EDGE go outta the draft early for a reason - one of which is money.  Drafting them in the first round instead of signing a FA will save you $100M+ in 4 years that you can use elsewhere.  Outside of QB and OLine they are one of the most expensive positions on the team.  The top 10-15 EDGE rushers get drafted and then resigned for big money to stay home - you rarely see them walk in FAgency.

[NorthTryon]

Yeah, there are a few guys at end with prototypical size that will be available later who can contribute immediately. Princely(Ole Miss), Sawyer(Ohio State), Jackson(Arkansas), and Scourton(A&M) all can be had later and have crazy high motors. Carter just reminds everyone of Micah Parsons, but has tendency to do the same things as Parsons and shrink when teams run right at him. 

[Basbear]

carter is simply too small framed and doesn't have von Miller's talent to overlook it. 

 

 

[NorthTryon]

Oh and I forgot his teammate Dani Dennis-Sutton! Sets the edge and his bull rush is crazy! Of course, some of this is predicated on if we stay in the 3-4. There are a lot of talented 4-3 guys in this draft!

[SmokinwithWilly]

55 minutes ago, CamWhoaaCam said:

Basically this, but I'm positive Hunter won't be available anyway. I would be shocked if Jacksonville passed him up.

Probably going to depend on how severe that concussion is and if there are any lingering effects. A lot of guys recover, then you look at Oher and it ended his career. One of my close family members has post concussion syndrome and it didn't really show up in full until about 3 months after. 

[kungfoodude]

So we pass day one starters and likely contributors in McMillan and Graham for a project DE from a university known for producing bust DE/Edge players.

Seems like a Panthers thing to do.