Re-grading Panthers 2017 NFL Draft class after four years
By Dean Jones
Daeshon Hall – DE (Pick No. 77)
- Draft grade – F
To say the Daeshon Hall pick didn’t work out would be something of an understatement. The defensive end had a lot of nice physical attributes coming out of Texas A&M, which failed to make a smooth transition to the Carolina Panthers once he got to the pros.
Hall turned out in just one game during his rookie season and wasn’t around the franchise for much longer once the campaign concluded. The player joined the Philadelphia Eagles for a two-year spell but was released during the 2020 offseason and hasn’t been seen in the league since.
There were plenty of successes from the 2017 NFL Draft. But Hall was not one of them.
Taylor Moton – Carolina Panthers OT (Pick No. 64)
- Draft grade – A+
What a pick this turned out to be.
Taylor Moton quickly became a reliable offensive tackle and his level of consistency over the last two years has seen the player emerge as one of the NFL’s best edge protectors. His ability to deal with even the most ferocious pass-rushers with ease has been a notable feature of his game, which is sure to come with a substantial pay increase this spring.
Moton is out of contract and the Panthers cannot let him walk. Getting him tied down to a long-term deal is priority No. 1, but Carolina also has the option of using the franchise tag on the former Western Michigan star to ensure he doesn’t test the free-agent market, where there would be a ton of suitors.
One thing is for sure, Moton is a key component behind any future success that comes Carolina’s way. There is even the scope for further improvement with more stability around him and the Panthers absolutely nailed this selection.