Carolina Panthers prepare for fourth highest draft pick ever
Barring a trade, Carolina Panthers will make fourth highest pick in team history.
The Carolina Panthers dropped eight straight games to conclude last season. After winning just five through the first half, a final 5-11 record meant a high draft pick would follow. Ultimately, the Panthers wound up with pick No. 7 for the 2020 NFL Draft, their fourth highest ever.
Owner David Tepper hired former Baylor coach Matt Rhule to lead Carolina into the future. Known for building programs and turning teams around, he’ll get an opportunity to see if his philosophy translates to the professional level. Given a lengthy seven-year contract, it appears Tepper is determined to give his new coach a long leash to find success.
It starts with this first draft and general manager Marty Hurney working to improve on his stellar top-10 record. Known for struggling after the opening round, there is no denying the amount of home run picks Hurney has piled up during his tenure as architect of the Panthers roster.
More from Cat Crave
- 3 reasons the Carolina Panthers won’t trade for Aaron Rodgers in 2023
- Dan Orlovsky’s temptation signifies Carolina Panthers ambition
- 5 early cap casualties the Carolina Panthers could target in 2023
- 4 major observations from Panthers GM Scott Fitterer’s combine presser
- 4 Carolina Panthers entering make-or-break situations in 2023
Only three players have ever been selected higher than seventh – Cam Newton (No. 1), Julius Peppers (No. 2) and Kerry Collins (No. 5) – Hurney was responsible for both Newton and Peppers. He also brought Jordan Gross (No. 8) and Luke Kuechly (No. 9) onto the roster as rookies with selections made near where Carolina will be on the clock this spring.
While there are still a number of different positions where the Panthers could utilize their first pick – defensive line, offensive line, linebacker or cornerback – history tells us the odds are in favor of landing a legitimate playmaker who should be able to compete immediately.
Two quarterbacks – Newton and Collins – have been taken in the top-10 but both came higher than the current seven spot. A trade remains possible and given the length of time Rhule is apparently going to have in order to implement his own process, it’s not entirely out of the question to potentially land another signal caller.
dark. Next. Rumors Building Momentum
Stay tuned as the NFL Draft takes place April 23-25 in Las Vegas.