6 exciting draft prospects the Carolina Panthers must consider on Day 3
By Dean Jones
Nittany Lions . BRANDON SMITH. 6. player. 806. . LB
Carolina Panthers could draft Brandon Smith
- Linebacker | Penn State
Adding another linebacker to the options already available would be another positive step in the right direction. Especially considering the Carolina Panthers might have a big upcoming decision to make regarding free-agent signing Damien Wilson depending on what occurs following his arrest.
It’s something of a surprise to see Brandon Smith still hanging around on Day 3. He is yet another athletic specimen to emerge from Penn State and has a ferociousness to his production that would fit in extremely well on the Panthers.
Smith has the size and athleticism to make a significant impact in the pros. His final year with the Nittany Lions further cemented this, with nine tackles for loss, two sacks, and 81 tackles with more responsibility after Micah Parsons left for the NFL.
The prospect is a dominant figure against the run. Smith sees things developing in opposing backfields well and has enough quick closing speed to completely wreck a play if given enough space.
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If Smith can develop areas such as technique, discipline, and tackling efficiency, this is a prospect with enormous potential. Someone that could end up becoming a starter on the Panthers in no time at all, which they’ve obviously lacked ever since Luke Kuechly decided to retire early due to health concerns.