Re-grading Carolina Panthers 2019 NFL Draft class after two years

Pick No. 4

Christian Miller – Carolina Panthers DE/OLB

• Draft grade – C

The Carolina Panthers still don’t know what they have yet with Christian Miller. The former Alabama standout opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 health concerns – which he was well within his right to do – but there was a substantial opportunity awaiting him had the player not done so.

Carolina’s production at the second level barring stud rookie Jeremy Chinn was inconsistent at best. They also had problems getting after the quarterback over the first half of the season and Miller could have made his presence felt to surge up the depth chart as a result.

However, it’s now back to square one, to a certain extent. Miller needs to prove himself all over again in training camp and expectations will be high regarding his potential to hit the ground running after a year away.

Pick No. 3

Will Grier – Carolina Panthers QB

• Draft grade – E

Will Grier might end up being a serviceable NFL quarterback.

But that won’t be with the Panthers.

This was a pick that raised some eyebrows at the time given Carolina didn’t have a great need for a new signal-caller and plenty of pressing needs elsewhere. Grier was a sacrificial lamb over two games at the end of his rookie campaign and the coaching staff preferred P.J. Walker as Teddy Bridgewater’s backup and replacement in 2020.

This leaves his future with the franchise in some serious doubt. Grier might be traded or released in the coming weeks, which would make him one of the worst selections in recent memory.