Carolina Panthers NFL Draft targets: Cornerback Jeff Okudah
With a surging stock of quarterbacks and sudden need for offensive lineman, cornerback Jeff Okudah may fall to the Carolina Panthers.
It seems like every year quarterback-needy teams reach or trade up to take a signal-caller within the first five picks. This year is likely to be more of the same and this could result in the shutdown Ohio State cornerback, Jeff Okudah falling to the Carolina Panthers with the seventh overall pick.
Nearly every mock draft has projected the Cincinnati Bengals taking quarterback Joe Burrow (LSU) No. 1 overall. There has also been speculation the Washington Redskins are interested in taking a quarterback second with new head coach Ron Rivera calling the shots. In addition, the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers also draft ahead of Carolina and both are also in need of a franchise quarterback.
This leaves the New York Giants and Detroit Lions as the only two teams drafting ahead of the Panthers that would not be interested in taking a quarterback in the first round. If Washington does indeed decide to take a signal caller at No. 2, then the Lions will almost be forced to take what many consider the best overall player in the draft – Ohio State defensive end, Chase Young.
The Giants may consider Okudah at No. 4, but most mocks have them investing in an offensive lineman to protect their second-year quarterback, Daniel Jones. This would mean the Panthers could get a shutdown cornerback to eventually replace James Bradberry, who is seeking a big payday in the midst of what appears to be a Carolina rebuild.
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Okudah might be the second-best overall player in the 2020 NFL Draft behind Young, a fellow Buckeye. At seven, he would be an absolute steal if other teams pass and fall for the notion of a “franchise” quarterback.
A legitimate shutdown corner is extremely important in a league that is becoming more and more pass-heavy every year, especially among the NFC South. It is arguably the second-most important defensive position behind an effective pass rusher and the Panthers would have an opportunity to solidify a significant piece on defense if Okudah is available.
A great fit for Carolina, he would give fans something to get excited about after what has been a devastating offseason. Already, the 2020 Panthers will be without two of their most beloved players – linebacker Luke Kuechly and tight end Greg Olsen.
Establishing a young core around Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore and Brian Burns, while adding Okudah would give Panthers fans a lot to be upbeat about regardless of where the team finishes this season.
Okudah routinely shut down some of the best receivers in the Big Ten Conference. He also held Clemson wideout Tee Higgins, another projected first-round pick, to just four catches for 33 yards in the playoff matchup between Ohio State and the Tigers.
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A lengthy new age cornerback, Okudah is a rare hard-hitter who excels in man coverage. His great instincts and vision are similar to some of the best corners in the NFL and he would provide great value to Carolina, provided he falls to the seventh overall pick.