Carolina Panthers Draft: Sports Illustrated issues a passing grade
The Carolina Panthers made draft history using each of their selections on only defensive players. Sports Illustrated joins other outlets in giving a passing grade for their draft class.
Fans of the Carolina Panthers knew that defense would be a priority heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, but did anyone expect what they ended up doing? The Panthers proved to the football world they were all-in on bolstering their defense by using all seven of their draft picks on defensive players.
They added better talent to their defensive line and secondary as it should be much-improved this upcoming season. It makes sense in the grand scheme of things as they did spend the majority of free agency on offense so now it was time to come around full circle.
Many major media outlets have given a ton of praise and recognition to the Panthers for a job well done. Even general manager Marty Hurney looks to have gotten it right as he drafted players that could step right in and take care of business or at least provide high-quality depth at key defensive positions.
Sports Illustrated gives the Carolina Panthers draft class a passing grade
More from Cat Crave
- Ranking the top-five QB prospects the Panthers could draft in 2023
- 4 remaining Carolina Panthers cap crunches after Damien Wilson release
- Could Duce Staley help Carolina Panthers land Jamaal Williams in 2023?
- How much could the Carolina Panthers afford to offer Lamar Jackson?
- 4 Panthers rumors to emerge from 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
The overall draft class of the Panthers was broken down nicely by Sports Illustrated, mostly for finally addressing major areas of need. Of course, it remains to be seen how everything falls into place but at least there is some excitement in the air that better days are indeed ahead.
In an article written by Schuyler Callihan of Sports Illustrated, he breaks down why the Panthers earned an overall grade of B for this year’s draft…
"Carolina did a beautiful job of filling their major needs and that is rebuilding the defense. The Panthers defensive front now has Brian Burns, Yetur Gross-Matos, Kawann Short and Derrick Brown. That’s a defense that all of a sudden has a much better ring to it. They still have a long way to go, but GM Marty Hurney and head coach Matt Rhule have done an excellent job of identifying their needs and addressing them."
Callihan hit the nail right on the head as it’s true, that Panthers’ defense will finally look formidable and actually be something worth talking about. Hopefully, new defensive coordinator Phil Snow utilizes all this great talent wisely as there is potential that maybe 2020 won’t be so bad at all.
Must Read. Grading all Day 3 selections of the Panthers. light
The Panthers are in their first year of rebuilding their entire roster from the bottom up. Some household names have retired, been released, or just didn’t fit the new culture they’re trying to establish. Who knows, maybe this rebuild won’t take all that long if these young players develop faster than originally intended and are ready to make some serious noise.