Excitement is building ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, but who will the Carolina Panthers pick to boost their chances next season?
The NFL Draft will go a long way to determining whether the Carolina Panthers are going to have a successful season in 2020. They have to hit home runs with their eight selections to stand any chance of being competitive in the NFC South.
Carolina opted to spend the majority of their free agency money on the offensive side of the ball. So it would be a huge shock if they did not address defense with the majority of their selections over the three days.
They are dangerously short of both talent and depth at various positions. If the Panthers do not pick the right sort of characters, it could set their rebuilding phase back and leave the fanbase frustrated.
General manager Marty Hurney has a good record of picking players who can immediately contribute. This is a trend that is going to have to continue this time around. What impact the virtual draft will have on teams’ method of approach is another fascinating aspect during an uncertain time across the globe.
Site expert at Cat Crave, Dean Jones, used the mock draft simulator over at The Draft Network to step into Hurney’s shoes and see which way the franchise can go on draft night.
Here are the eight selections he came up with for the Panthers.
This is the best-case scenario for the Carolina Panthers. Jeff Okudah has all the tools necessary to become an All-Pro cornerback and is a plug-and-play starter at the next level.
The former Ohio State standout has elite footwork and has an aura about his play that only the great ones possess. He recorded three interceptions, nine pass deflections, two forced fumbles and 35 combined tackles in 2019. These stats don’t tell the full story regarding Okudah, who shut down one side of the field for the majority of the campaign.
Opposing quarterbacks did not look in his direction too often, which is the sign of a great shutdown cornerback. The Panthers are in desperate need of secondary help and it wouldn’t take them long to select Okudah if he fell into their lap at No. 7.
The defensive line depth in the 2020 NFL Draft is a lot better at the top-end than at cornerback. That might be why Carolina is reportedly considering Florida cornerback CJ Henderson as there is a pretty big drop off after the first two corner prospects.
Okudah has got it all. Whether it is his exemplary footwork, his outstanding instincts or his elite athleticism. There is nothing to suggest the ex-Buckeye is not going to be anything other than a Pro Bowl/All Pro-calibre player in no time at all.
Marlon Davidson is a formidable presence on the defensive line interior and represents good value for the Carolina Panthers with the No. 38 overall selection.
He is a huge body and possesses the sort of upper body strength that is going to make a smooth transition to the NFL. He plugs gaps incredibly well in the run game and has a real knack of getting to the quarterback in pass-rushing situations.
Davidson ended his time at Auburn on a high with 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass deflection, and 49 combined tackles in 2019. He displayed excellent hands and is powerful enough to shift lineman from their position at the earliest opportunity.
The Panthers lost Dontari Poe in free agency, which might not be a bad thing going forward given the team’s desire to go younger. Davidson has a tremendous amount of potential and there is a good chance he goes higher than this when all picks are in.
One area the player needs to improve is his initial burst off the block. This can be slow at times which leaves him catching up on plays and sometimes gives him no chance at all.
If Davidson can brush up this particular area of his game then the player can become a disruptive force in the pros.
Kyle Dugger’s story is an incredible one and can serve as a real source of inspiration to any prospect coming from a small school. He has been one of the stories of the evaluation process so far and has shot up NFL Draft boards as a result.
He has fantastic athleticism and is a real asset to have in the passing game. Dugger turned down multiple offers to join bigger programs before his final college season, which is a testament to how much he impressed during his time with the Bears.
There is even the potential for Dugger to come down to the second level and cover in the slot if required. The prospect has superb footwork and is very fluid in his motions. Two traits that are going to ensure he has a shot of becoming a regular starter in the NFL.
The Carolina Panthers need help at the safety position after taking the decision to part ways with Eric Reid just one season after he signed a lucrative deal with the franchise. The organization did acquire Tre Boston and Juston Burris in free-agency. But a youthful exuberance will be needed going forward and Dugger warrants consideration.
The player is a very likable character that a number of teams have kept a close eye on throughout their assessment of incoming recruits. Dugger is proof that you don’t have to go to an elite program to make it to the NFL.
The Carolina Panthers need to find a long-term replacement for Luke Kuechly after the legendary linebacker announced his shock retirement this offseason.
Logan Wilson enjoyed a prolific college career at Wyoming that saw him rack up some impressive statistics. He is a real throwback at the position and could be just what the Panthers are looking for from a mid-round NFL Draft pick.
Wilson is a relic in terms of what he brings to the table. He can be classed as an old school linebacker who produces big hits but needs some work on his man coverage if he is going to make a go of things in the NFL.
His tackling ability is NFL-ready right now and Wilson plays with the sort of determination and desire that is going to go down very well with whatever coaching staff will be working with him.
Wilson notched 105 combined tackles, four interceptions, seven pass deflections, one sack and one forced fumble in 2019. What he lacks in explosiveness he makes up for with physicality and there is very little wasted movement from the player when he is on the field.
He looks to have a real shot of starting from day one and the Panthers could really use someone like Wilson in the absence of Kuechly. He would also become an instant fan-favorite thanks to his competitive spirit and overall attributes.
The Carolina Panthers pick up a physical running to compliment their All-Pro star Christian McCaffrey.
Joshua Kelley does not have the game-breaking speed or agility that McCaffrey provides. But is a stout running between the tackles and could pick up some valuable yards in short situations.
This is something that the Panthers do not want to put on McCaffrey. They will want to protect their investment after extending the player to a four-year, $64 million contract to make him the highest-paid running back in NFL history.
Keeping him out of positions of fierce contact is going to do his chances of avoiding injury the world of good. Kelley was productive for a UCLA offense that underachieved in 2019 on his way to 1,060 yards and 12 touchdowns.
He is also extremely elusive in tight areas, which is another valuable trait to have in the pros. Kelley can emerge as a valuable contributor on special teams and be installed on specialist situations should he end up on the Panthers.
Kelley does not bring much to the passing game either. But he is a violent running that attacks the line with urgency and if he can improve his balance at the next level, he could be a nice foil for Carolina’s new face of the franchise.
Tyler Johnson is a solid mid-round prospect who provides the Carolina Panthers with something a little bit different from what they currently have at the wide receiver position.
The former Gopher is an accomplished route runner who moves out of his cuts superbly. He is not going to blow you away with explosiveness. But Johnson has good hands and is a very intelligent player for someone so young.
Carolina is stacked at wide receiver following the high-profile addition of Robby Anderson. With D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel also there to pick up the slack, Johnson can learn at his own pace and refine some of his skill set in order to make a solid transition to the pros.
Johnson plays well in tight areas and is more than capable of getting to the ball at its highest point. He gets away from coverage quickly and is seen as an intermediate specialist during the early stages of his career.
That would sit well with the Panthers. Who have two deep threats on the outside in Moore and Anderson, in addition to a prolific player all over the field in Samuel.
Johnson finished off his time in Minnesota on a high, recording 86 receptions, 1,318 yards, and 13 touchdowns with a yards-per-catch average of 15.8 in 2019.
Javaris Davis comes with a bunch of upside, and provides additional depth in an area of need for the Carolina Panthers.
Although the player is a little undersized for the NFL. Davis is tenacious and his competitive edge really stands out on film.
He might have trouble covering big receivers on the outside, but he could find a career as a slot cornerback providing he acclimatizes to the role in quick fashion. It is unlikely that Davis is going to command a starting spot in the near future. But he projects to be a good rotational player who can be an asset on special teams.
Davis has four good years of college play under his belt, securing two interceptions in each campaign. He also managed to bat away 25 passes thrown in his direction during this time.
Coming from such a well-respected program is going to stand the player in good stead. He will know what is expected of him going forward in the NFL and plays much bigger than his 5-foot-10 frame.
The prospect is not afraid to put his head down and launch into tackles. Something he will have to be a little more tentative when he gets to the next level. There is plenty to like about Davis’ play and taking him in the sixth round represents a low risk, high reward option for the Panthers.
The Carolina Panthers use their final pick on getting themselves some pass-rushing depth in the form of D.J. Wonnum.
The South Carolina product could sit behind Brian Burns and the returning Kawann Short during the early stages of his development. This would aid his transition to the NFL significantly as he is accustomed to a rotational position during his time with the Gamecocks.
One thing Wonnum will need to work on for a prolonged period to get the best out of his ability is strength. This lets him down time and time again, so substantial time in the weight room is required if he is going to make a lasting contribution at the next level.
Wonnum possesses some impressive rushing ability and shows the right sort of athleticism to get around lineman with ease when presented with an opportunity. He will need to work on his pass-rushing repertoire as he tends to get dealt with easily when coming inside.
There is some solid potential where Wonnum is concerned. Allowing the player to develop areas of his game early might be an option worth considering for the Panthers. If things don’t work out with Short’s return from a serious shoulder injury, then they can address the position with a high-end selection in 2021.