Carolina Panthers Mock Draft: Bleacher Report sticks with Isaiah Simmons

Bleacher Report has hopped onto the Isaiah Simmons train as their recent mock draft has him being selected by the Carolina Panthers.

Oh boy, things are heating up with Isaiah Simmons or what? As the 2020 NFL Draft is on the horizon, a ton of mock drafts are being updated and changed based on what analysts predict will transpire. So far, Sports Illustrated has predicted Simmons going to the Carolina Panthers and now, Bleacher Report feels the same way.

In a recent mock draft by Blake Schuster of Bleacher Report, he also sees the Panthers selecting Simmons as he’s projected to be the best linebacker in this year’s class. While the Panthers have several areas of need on their defense, this is definitely one of them. However, many would argue that the Panthers would be wiser to address their defensive line before anything else with the No. 7 overall pick.

In the grand scheme of things, everyone will have their opinions on what the Panthers might end up doing but for now, it’s all up to general manager Marty Hurney. Only he and his team ultimately know what direction they’ll go in based on their draft board.

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Hopefully, just like Hurney said about a week ago, the plan is to heavily address their defense in this year’s draft. Whether it’s Simmons, defensive tackle Derrick Brown out of Auburn, or even cornerback Jeff Okudah out of Ohio State, it’s safe to say that the Panthers would benefit tremendously from any of these players.

The truth of the matter is, the Panthers are a rebuilding team as it’s a term you’re going to hear a lot this year and probably next year as well. Expectations are low for the Panthers as they prepare for the upcoming season and even after free agency and the draft, they’ll still be on the outside looking in.

Not to be the bearer of bad news or anything, but the Panthers have a very long way to go before they become contenders again. A great rebuild starting now could probably see them be a competitive team again by the 2021 or 2022 season at best. Regardless of who their first-round pick ends up being, it will only help the cause by bolstering a defense that is in dire need of better talent.

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Overall, if Schuster is right and the Panthers do draft Simmons with the No. 7 overall pick, it would still be a great addition on defense. It’s a solid draft pick that should allow Hurney to build a team around and finally have a defense worth speaking about in the future. Simmons would definitely be an upgrade over anyone currently on the roster as he should be a franchise player for years to come.

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