The Carolina Panthers could end up with another player with enormous upside with their second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
It proved to be a dramatic end to the 2020 NFL Draft’s first round. Plenty of moves were made by contending teams for specific players of need. This has left some projected first-round prospects dropping to day two.
This is good news for the Carolina Panthers. They could now end up with another player that represents significantly good value with their No. 38 pick.
The franchise bolstered their front by taking former Auburn standout Derrick Brown with the seventh overall pick. The defensive tackle gives them a formidable presence on the line of scrimmage to put alongside returning stud Kawann Short on the interior.
Despite this impressive addition to their ranks, more college recruits that can immediately contribute will need to be chosen. The Panthers are in a tough spot in the NFC South and they desperately need more energy after letting a host of seasoned veterans go in free agency.
Taking someone like Brown is a good start. And judging by the players left it would be a huge surprise if Carolina does not end up with another day one starter with a high ceiling.
This is the part of the Draft where Panthers’ general manager Marty Hurney normally excels. He is accustomed to finding value picks that go on to have successful careers during his time with the organization.
With that said, who are the best prospects left that the Panthers could take?
Xavier McKinney – S (Alabama)
It was a huge surprise to see Xavier McKinney fall out of the first round. He was projected to go in the teens and is not going to last long on day two.
The safety has two tremendous seasons of production with the Crimson Tide. The prospect is an explosive playmaker who has the ability to change the course of a game on any given down.
McKinney was a revelation for Alabama in 2019. He was one of the bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season on his way to 95 combined tackles (58 solo), three interceptions, three sacks, four forced fumbles, and five pass deflections.
He has a high football IQ and also possesses exceptional instincts to be around the ball. McKinney is a formidable tackling presence who is adept at covering slot receivers or tight ends. His versatility is another outstanding feature of his game and is sure to make a smooth transition to the pros.
The Carolina Panthers need some reinforcements at the safety spot after releasing Eric Reid. They committed some money to Tre Boston and Juston Burris. But more is going to be needed in the pass-happy world of the NFC South.
McKinney would be an instant starter and has a chance to thrive in the NFL from day one. If he reaches the No. 38 pick, the player would warrant serious consideration. But that is no guarantee.
Kristian Fulton – CB (LSU)
Another surprising fall into the second round was LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton. He was projected as a mid-to-late first-rounder but saw a host of other prospects at the position go ahead of him.
This might have been disappointing from the player’s perspective. But it could be a blessing in disguise for whichever team acquires Fulton. He will now be playing with a chip on his shoulder and will be keen to prove the doubters who were unwilling to use their first-round pick on him wrong.
Fulton has good instincts and comes into the NFL as a national champion. He shines in press coverage and this is something that would go down very well in Carolina.
The Carolina Panthers are in desperate need of help after James Bradberry departed the franchise to sign a three-year, $43.5 million contract with the New York Giants that included $31.98 million guaranteed.
There is some hope that Donte Jackson can take a big step forward and become a productive starter in 2020 with more time on the field. The franchise decided not to select Florida standout CJ Henderson despite their reported interest, and Ohio State phenom Jeff Okudah was taken by the Detroit Lions at No. 3.
Now the defensive line has been bolstered with the selection of Auburn’s Derrick Brown, the Panthers can focus their attention on improving other areas of their defense. Fulton must be high on their shortlist and represents tremendous value if he is still around by the time they are on the clock.
Yetur Gross-Matos – EDGE (Penn State)
Prolific pass-rusher Yetur Gross-Matos is another eye-catching prospect available in the second round. He has outstanding physical attributes that are going to take the league by storm if the player reaches his potential.
With new Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule stating the defense is switching to a 4-3 in 2020, some more depth will be required at the edge spot to keep players fresh and get after the three Hall of Fame-bound quarterbacks operating in the NFC South.
Gross-Matos recorded 9.5 sacks and 40 combined tackles, 24 of which were solo, during his final year at Penn State. He has shone brightly during the evaluation process and it was a big shock to see a contending team not take him in the latter stages of day one.
The prospect possesses tremendous length and uses it to his advantage. He has an incredible burst and Gross-Matos plays with the fluidity of a seasoned veteran. His power is another considerable asset to call upon, which ensures he is a sold contributor on running downs.
With a little coaching up, there is no telling what the player can achieve in the future. If the Panthers decide to go in this direction, they would be getting a player with an enormous upside that would form a potentially dominant defensive end trio alongside Brian Burns and free-agent signing Stephen Weatherly.
Josh Jones – OT (Houston)
There was a significant run on offensive lineman during the first round. This makes it all the more surprising that Josh Jones was not one of the players taken.
He has all the makings of an elite offensive tackle at the next level. Jones might still be a little raw, but there is nothing to suggest he doesn’t have the physical attributes to be coached up and make a real go of his professional career.
Jones is an incredibly athletic individual who has no trouble at all making a blocking impact at the second level. His strength at the point of attack is exemplary and is a potentially dominant presence in either the passing game od during running situations.
Hearing Jones’ name called would be music to the ears of new quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey. Taylor Moton going to get the opportunity to make the right tackle spot his own in 2020. But newly acquired veteran Russell Okung is heading into the final year of his deal and it remains to be seen whether a mutual commitment will be reached long term.
Either way, a youthful figure will need to be selected either in this Draft or next. Jones is a high-value pick at No. 38 if the opportunity presents itself.
This would also be a good landing spot for the player. There wouldn’t be a great deal of pressure on Jones making an instant contribution thanks to the presence of Okung and Moton. Developing at his own pace and being integrated slowly would do wonders for his overall chances of a prolonged career in the NFL.
Trevon Diggs – CB (Alabama)
The brother of Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs will have to wait until day two to hear his name called. This is something of a surprise given his superb transition to the cornerback spot over the last two seasons.
After initially starting his fledgling career as a wideout, Diggs made the inspired choice of moving over to the secondary full-time with the Crimson Tide in 2017. This is something that brought instant results and will stand him in extremely good stead going forward.
He has thrived in zone coverage and is equally able to make an impact in the press. Diggs has good size for a cornerback at 6-foot-2 and his hand-eye coordination is nothing short of phenomenal.
One area of his game that does need some work is tackling. But Diggs has not been playing the position for long and this is something that is sure to improve with more time on the field.
The Carolina Panthers need cornerback help at the earliest opportunity now that they have strengthened their defensive front. Head coach Matt Rhule stated he wants to build the defense from the “inside-out”. So it would not be a surprise to see the franchise take a flyer on someone like Diggs with the No. 38 pick.
There are others remaining in the same position that boasts more experience. But they don’t have Diggs’ upside and he represents an intriguing option.