Carolina Panthers: 2013 NFL Draft do-over (5 rounds)
By Josh Linares
87. Scouting Report. S. 148. Pick Analysis. IOWA. MICAHHYDE. player
Carolina Panthers Pick No. 148: Micah Hyde over A.J. Klein
With their fifth-round pick, the Carolina Panthers selected Iowa State linebacker, A.J. Klein. It wasn’t a home run selection but he was a solid contributor.
The Panthers already had a solid linebacker core with Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis, so Klein was not in a position to fight for a starting spot. In his rookie year, he started two games and finished the season with two sacks, 21 tackles and five tackles for loss. He would become a pretty important bench player in Carolina over time.
Klein spent three more years with the Panthers and was a great rotational linebacker for when Davis and Kuechly needed a breather. And he stepped in nicely when they would go down with injuries as well.
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From 2014 to 2016 Klein totaled one interception, four forced fumbles, two sacks, 125 tackles, and 11 tackles for loss. He never turned into a star for the Panthers but he was a solid player.
The Panthers should have passed on the Iowa State linebacker and taken a new teammate of his on the Buffalo Bills. With the 159th pick in the draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Iowa safety, Micah Hyde. It wound up being a very good pick.
The defensive back didn’t see the field in his rookie year and only started three games. He got more playing time in his sophomore campaign starting 12 games for them and finishing with two interceptions, seven pass deflections, one sack, and 60 total tackles.
Hyde only spent two more years with the Packers and never became their full-time starter. From 2015 to 2016 he totaled six interceptions, 15 pass deflections, two sacks, and 113 total tackles.
Before the 2017 season, Hyde signed a five-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. This is where his career took off and made him an elite safety in the NFL.
Hyde started every game for the Bills in 2017 and finished with five interceptions, 13 pass deflections, and 82 total tackles. He made his first Pro Bowl and established himself as one of the better safeties in the league.
These past two seasons haven’t been as good, but he has still been producing for the Bills. Over this period, Hyde totaled three interceptions, seven passes defended, and 130 total tackles.