Carolina Panthers Draft: 3 top positions of need in 2020
By Dean Jones
2. Linebacker
The Carolina Panthers’ focus shifted when they were rocked by the shock retirement of legendary linebacker Luke Kuechly. His departure leaves what can only be described as a substantial void in at the heart of the defense and a long-term replacement is needed from this Draft.
Tahir Whitehead arrived from the Las Vegas Raiders on a one-year, $2.5 million deal. But this could only be a short-term arrangement and the Panthers will know more will be needed if they want to surprise people in 2020.
Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons might not command the middle like Kuechly. But he has a rare ability to make an impact on every down and providing he is there at No. 7, it represents an enticing proposition Carolina might not be able to get away from.
Should the reports of them trading down come to fruition, someone like Oklahoma’s exciting product Kenneth Murray comes into play. He is a tremendously gifted athlete who plays nasty. This is something that will become popular with the Panthers’ fanbase in no time at all.
LSU’s national championship winner Patrick Queen is also someone that could end up going mid to late in the first round and would be a tremendous asset for the Panthers to call upon. There is also going to be some real value in day two in the form of Texas Tech player Jordyn Brooks and Wake Forest linebacker Justin Strnad.