Re-grading Carolina Panthers 2019 NFL Draft class after two years
By Dean Jones
How is the 2019 NFL Draft class working out for the Carolina Panthers following their first two seasons in the league?
One of the big reasons behind Marty Hurney eventually losing his job as general manager of the Carolina Panthers was the 2019 NFL Draft. The experienced figure enjoyed tremendous success with his 2020 selections and sure does know what a first-round prospect looks like. But what’ve we’ve seen from this particular year group overall has been nothing short of a disappointment.
There have been a couple of obvious home runs, which we’ll discuss later. However, it’s hard not to be critical of the way Carolina went with the majority of their picks in 2019 and the organization will be hoping for something along the lines of last year with a view to getting back into the postseason discussion.
Hurney was the last part of the old guard ousted by owner David Tepper, who now has his guys in charge and no more excuses from his point of view. New general manager Scott Fitterer has a big job on his hands, of that there is little doubt. But he has a strong record of helping the Seattle Seahawks find some gems late in the draft and if the recent appointment can do so with the Panthers, it is going to make all the difference.
Not many of the 2019 class will be assisting in Carolina’s bid to be a postseason contender, which is a real shame. We took a look at this batch of college recruits and graded them after their first two years in the league.
Pick No. 7
Terry Godwin – WR
- Draft Grade – E
It’s hard to be too critical of late-round picks, which often come with a boom or bust label. However, Terry Godwin was a swing and a miss for the Carolina Panthers and one that eventually ended with the player’s release without seeing one competitive snap for the franchise.
Godwin did get another chance elsewhere in 2020 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The former Georgia wideout turned out in three games during the season and collected three receptions from six targets for 32 receiving yards and two first downs.
Whether this is enough for Godwin to get another shot under new head coach Urban Meyer remains to be seen. But in terms of Carolina’s final selection of the 2019 NFL Draft, it simply didn’t pan out.