The Carolina Panthers might be able to select someone to counteract the threat of Rob Gronkowski in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The high-profile arrival to the NFC South of tight end Rob Gronkowski could see the Carolina Panthers change their NFL Draft strategy.
He has the potential to be a huge difference-maker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if the player is anything like the one that retired after the 2018 season. The division is going to be decided by fine margins next term and Gronkowski could be the man that gives Tom Brady’s Bucs’ the edge.
Carolina is an expected also-ran within the NFC South next season. But that does not mean they don’t have to counteract the threat posed by someone with the dominant presence of Gronkowski.
They have the perfect chance to get add some Gronkowski kryptonite with their first-round selection in the NFL Draft. Isaiah Simmons has unrivaled potential at the linebacker spot and there is nothing he cannot do on the field.
Taking the former Clemson standout at No. 7 would give their defense the injection of youth and energy it was sorely lacking at times last season. The Panthers lost an influential figure when perennial All-Pro Luke Kuechly announced his retirement. But Simmons has the same sort of potential when it comes to making a lasting difference.
The Panthers have many needs heading into the Draft from a defensive perspective. It is imperative that their first few selections become players that can immediately contribute. Otherwise, it is going to be a long season.
How does Simmons match up with Gronkowski?
Isaiah Simmons excels in coverage and has the sort of versatility that is going to ensure he becomes an NFL star in no time at all.
The Carolina Panthers would be foolish not to consider Simmons with their No. 7 selection. But there is no guarantee he would be there by that point given the amount of buzz he has generated during the evaluation process.
Rob Gronkowski has been a nightmare to cover one-on-one throughout his career with the New England Patriots. However, Simmons has the size, speed, and athleticism to thwart the tight end’s threat whenever they are matched up on the field.
Simmons has the potential to play safety if required. It makes a ton of sense for the Panthers to put him up against Gronkowski if he ends up on the franchise. He has nothing to worry about from a speed perspective and has the anticipation necessary to contest every ball coming the player’s way.
Gronkowski does an exceptional job of putting his body in the right spots to give opposing players no chance of contesting. That might be different with Simmons, who has surprising strength and a quick first step to counteract any cuts from receivers of tight ends.
The prospect should already be high on the Panthers’ shortlist heading into the Draft. They do not have the necessary cornerbacks or linebackers that would be able to consistently cope with someone like Gronkowski two times a season without strengthening their ranks.
Simmons comes with the highest of ceilings and would be more than a match for the Super Bowl-winning tight end. If Carolina ends up picking him with their first-rounder, it is going to be a mouth-watering matchup in 2020.
While two games a season is unlikely to change the Panthers thinking regarding the Draft. Simmons offers so much and his potential against Gronkowski is just a small part of what he can bring to the NFL.