The Carolina Panthers hold a top-ten pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and there are multiple ways they can go with the selection.
The Carolina Panthers are in an enviable position heading into the 2020 NFL Draft. They are primed to take one of the best college recruits available with the No.7 selection.
This will need to be the right fit for a franchise that is going to be part of a very tough division next season. The NFC South has been bolstered by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ acquisition of legendary quarterback Tom Brady and has left the Panthers as an afterthought in a division that also consists of the fancied New Orleans Saints.
There are many areas of need the Panthers need to focus their attention on during the NFL Draft. General manager Marty Hurney stated during recent press availability that they are now turning their focus to the defensive side of the ball after acquiring a number of offensive free agents.
This is going to give them the best possible chance of mounting an unlikely playoff push in 2020. They play in a division with potent offenses and the more help they get to prevent them from doing damage during divisional matchups, the better.
The expected quarterback scramble involving Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert and Jordan Love at the top-end of the draft leaves the Panthers in a good position. Teams will clamor to get their signal-caller and that means Carolina might be picking the best defensive player available outside of Ohio State standout Chase Young.
Here are five prospects that are worth considering later this month.
Derrick Brown – DE/DT (Auburn)
Picking Derrick Brown at seven would be a real steal for the Carolina Panthers. The defensive lineman is a sure-fire hit at the next level, and he could fall into their lap given the need for struggling teams to pick up a quarterback.
Brown is a relentless force and is one of the best defensive tackles to come out of the college system in recent memory. He possesses a high motor and is incredibly explosive off the block, which makes him incredibly difficult to stop.
The player has powerful hands and shifts opposing offensive lineman with ease. With a little more refinement in the pros, Brown could have a sensational NFL career.
He is equally adept at making an impact during running or passing situations. Brown is also a strong character who is ruthless in his pursuit of making plays.
There is little doubt he would be a tremendous addition to the Panthers’ defense. Brown is going to be a real problem from the moment he steps on the field and he comes into the league with the potential to become a Pro Bowler in no time at all.
Brown has surprising foot quickness for a player his size. His versatility is also something that sets him apart from other defensive lineman entering the NFL Draft in 2020.
If Chase Young is the top defensive player, then Brown is not far behind.
Jeff Okudah – CB (Ohio State)
If there is a scramble for a quarterback at the top of the NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers could be in with a realistic chance of selecting Jeff Okudah.
The cornerback is an absolute sensation and has all the trademarks a team is looking for in a shutdown presence. His footwork is already next level and he has the quickness and length to cover a receiver on any given route.
Okudah has developed a substantial football IQ during his time at Ohio State. He has great instincts and is strong enough to jam receivers on the line of scrimmage.
Simply put, there is nothing that Okudah cannot do on the field. The Panthers’ secondary would be instantly improved by his presence and the player would be a huge asset to have in the pass-happy NFC South.
His positioning is already that of a seasoned pro. Okudah also has a nous for baiting quarterbacks and has the short-yard burst to get to the ball ahead of a receiver on intermediate routes.
If Okudah does fall out of the top-six, then this is a no brainer for the Panthers. The corner is a generational talent and his ceiling could not be higher.
Much will depend on whether or not the Detroit Lions trade out of the No.3 spot as to where Okudah goes in the draft.
Isaiah Simmons – LB (Clemson)
The Carolina Panthers could do far worse than taking the freakishly gifted Isaiah Simmons with the No.7 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Scouts have fallen in love with the player during the assessment process and he absolutely blew up the combine with an exceptional showcase of his physical attributes.
Simmons has the athleticism that has to been seen to be believed. He is an incredible presence at the second level and has the pace and quickness to play linebacker, edge rusher from the stand-up position or even at safety if required.
The prospect has tremendous instincts and is a massive influence against the run. Simmons is also a polished rusher and has the foot movement to get to the quarterback at will.
Another standout feature to Simmons’ game is his ability to cover slot receivers or tight ends. He has the potential to be a real game-changer on defense and one that will be of considerable interest to the Carolina Panthers.
Legendary linebacker Luke Kuechly is no longer with the franchise after announcing a shock retirement after a prolific eight seasons. Simmons may not be the same type of player. But he has all the intangibles to make a similar impact.
Javon Kinlaw – DT (South Carolina)
Javon Kinlaw is another prospect that the Carolina Panthers may take if they decide to trade down and acquire more picks. His 2019 play more than warrants a first-round selection as the player became a major disruptor for the Gamecocks.
His athletic ability defies a recorded size of 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds and this was further reflected in Kinlaw’s six sacks, 35 total tackles, two pass breakups, and a pair of fumble recoveries.
His explosiveness on the line of scrimmage is truly exceptional, as is his ability to identify blocking schemes, make things happen for himself, and free up space for others around him.
Kinlaw has surged up draft boards during the evaluation process. His rags to riches story is a fantastic one and can inspire other college recruits who are coming from the same background in the years to come.
He plays hard on every down and has the sort of urgency that NFL scouts are sure to be salivating over. While the No.7 pick might be reaching for Kinlaw, the Panthers’ decision-makers might decide to accumulate more than their eight current selections and that would put the player in play.
The prospect could even go in the top-ten given the hype surrounding him. Kinlaw’s skills are not as refined as Derrick Brown. But he has the chance to make a big impression at the next level in the right scheme.
CJ Henderson – CB (Florida)
Another trade-back option for the Carolina Panthers is the enormously talented CJ Henderson. The former Florida standout came out of high school as a four-star recruit and he ended up snagging four interceptions during his freshman season with the Gators.
Henderson followed this up with two picks and 26 tackles in 2018 and although he did not come up with an interception during nine games this season, he did finish with 11 pass breakups and a sack.
At 6-foot-1, Henderson has impressive size, but he will need to work on beefing up his upper body to cope with the rigors of the NFL. The Panthers are in desperate need of reinforcements at the position, which becomes more urgent when one considers the firepower expected from other NFC South teams next season.
If Jeff Okudah is top of the cornerback prospects, then Henderson undoubtedly leads the next group. He has tremendous footwork and possesses the sort of quickness that will ensure he isn’t undone down the field.
Rookie cornerbacks generally struggle during their first year in the NFL. It is an unforgiving position to play in from day one and if the Panthers decide to take a chance on Henderson, they will have to be convinced he has the character to step up from the outset.