Five safeties the Carolina Panthers could be targeting in the 2018 NFL Draft…
In a somewhat surprising offseason move, the Carolina Panthers parted ways with safety and captain Kurt Coleman. During three seasons with the Panthers, Coleman rebooted his career in the backend of the Carolina secondary.
His departure leaves a hole in the defense and one that is expected to be filled early in the NFL Draft. Depending on how the first-round transpires there are a number of players who could hear their names called when Carolina is on the clock with pick No. 24 overall.
While safety is important, it remains just one of many positions that General Manager Marty Hurney is expected to target at next week’s NFL Draft. Who remains available when the Panthers pick will heavily influence their selection, especially in the first-round.
Continue to view a few of the safety options who could be on the Panthers radar as the NFL Draft approaches.
RONNIE HARRISON, Alabama (6-foot-2, 207 pounds)
Projected Round: 1-2
There are three options at safety that Carolina could consider in the first-round and Ronnie Harrison is one. College teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick is considered by many to be the top player at their position in the draft and should be well off the board when Carolina’s number comes up but Harrison may remain available.
Depending on the list of safeties remaining when the Panthers get to pick at No. 24, Harrison could be headed to Carolina.
"In 2017, Harrison had 74 tackles with 2.5 sacks, three interceptions and four passes batted. He played really well as an enforcer in the middle of the field. Harrison is a tough run defender who has the athletic skills to cover, but he has issues dealing with receivers in man coverage. Team sources have said an example of that was Clemson’s Hunter Renfrow really abusing Harrison in the past, and that is why Minkah Fitzpatrick was the coverage safety for the Crimson Tide. Playing zone in the middle of the field is a better fit for Harrison. Because of some coverage limitations, Harrison is a strong safety type for the NFL. Some teams see Harrison as a second-rounder, but they think he still could go in the first round as they don’t have 32 players with first-round grades, which will lead some second-rounders to go on Thursday night of the 2018 NFL Draft."
*Analysis via Charlie Campbell at WalterFootball.com
JUSTIN REID, Stanford (6-foot, 207 pounds)
Projected Round: 1-3
Reid would fit nicely into the Panthers defense and the team has shown interest but some feel the bottom of the first-round may be a stretch for the former Stanford Cardinal. A lot will depend on how the NFL Draft plays out and if the safety class is thinning then Hurney could elect to pull the trigger.
If selected, it would be the first time in franchise history that two players from the same college were taken in consecutive years with the team’s initial pick.
"Reid played really well for a lot of 2017, impressing NFL scouts. Sources who are tough graders said they think Reid has early-round potential for the 2018 NFL Draft. They say that Reid doesn’t have Earl Thomas-like range as a free safety or Kam Chancellor-like size as a strong safety, but he does everything well. Reid is a good free or strong safety with the ability to run and tackle. They say that he is a polished, clean, good all-around safety similar to HaHa Clinton-Dix coming out of Alabama. Evaluators said that Reid didn’t close out the season as well and had some rough tapes late in the year, including a game against USC in which the Trojans targeted him and exploited him in man coverage on slot receivers all night. That could end up pushing him to Day 2 in the 2018 NFL Draft."
*Analysis via Charlie Campbell at WalterFootball.com
JESSIE BATES, Wake Forest (6-foot-1, 200 pounds)
Projected Round: 3-4
Carolina has shown significant interest in Bates as a potential mid-round pick. The Indiana native played college football for Wake Forest, in the state of North Carolina and is no doubt, familiar with the franchise.
If Hurney and the Panthers choose to target other positions early in the draft then Bates would be a likely candidate for one of the two third-round picks available.
"Sources singled Bates out as a player who impressed them at the combine. He ran well in the 40 and looked good in the field work. Bates is an intelligent player who could be a nice sleeper pick. Bates had a respectable redshirt sophomore season with 79 tackles, five passes broken up and an interception. His freshman year was more impressive with five interceptions, 100 tackles and four passes broken up. For the NFL, Bates could use more strength and weight on his frame to help him tackle."
*Analysis via Charlie Campbell at WalterFootball.com
KYZIR WHITE, West Virginia (6-foot-2, 216 pounds)
Projected Round: 3-5
White is a similar player to former Panthers linebacker Jeremy Cash, meaning teams are unsure where the West Virginia product will play once the NFL season begins. The brother of former first-round selection Kevin White (WR) of the Chicago Bears, White could fill a role similar to how Thompson was utilized as a “Buffalo” nickel.
With linebacker Thomas Davis suspended to start the season, Thompson developing into more of a traditional linebacker is expected now and into the foreseeable future. If new defensive coordinator Eric Washington elects to implement a similar position then White makes perfect sense.
"White has good size to him to be a strong safety in the NFL, plus had a solid senior season. He totaled 94 tackles with four passes broken up, two forced fumbles, one sack and three interceptions in 2017. As a junior, he had 58 stops with five breakups, three sacks and zero picks. White’s strong play earned him an invitation to the Senior Bowl, and he had a solid week of practice in Mobile."
*Analysis via Charlie Campbell at WalterFootball.com
DERWIN JAMES, Florida State (6-foot-3, 211 pounds)
Projected Round: Top-20
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Derwin James is highly regarded as the second best safety in the class and while Carolina hasn’t officially met with him, should he be available in round one, things could get interesting. If James were to fall a couple of positions then Hurney would likely have to make him the newest Panthers player.
A versatile athlete with a tremendous upside some analysts have projected James as a better option than Fitzpatrick. Depending on the need from other teams in the draft, Carolina may have their choice of these options when on the clock.
However, if not, it appears Hurney is at least putting in some research for potential picks after day one and it remains obvious that safety is a high priority position for the Panthers.
"In 2017, James totaled 84 tackles with 11 passes batted and two interceptions. He was able to display good instincts and rare combination of size, speed, physicality and versatility. Some teams have James as the top safety for the 2018 NFL Draft. For the NFL, James fits as a strong safety who is a tough eighth defender in the box. Some team sources feel that James is not a good fit as a deep center fielder. They think he has some coverage limitations as a free safety, but should be able to play man against tight ends. They don’t think he is a fit to play nickel corner and cover slot receivers. One area scout thought James could end up adding weight and grow into being a Will linebacker, similar to Mark Barron."
Next: NFL Draft - 5 Offensive Line Targets
For a position with an average age of 28.5 years on the current roster, the need for an influx of youth who can contribute well into the future is apparent.
*Analysis via Charlie Campbell at WalterFootball.com