Panthers Tracks: Outside-the-box options for Carolina with the No. 7 pick in NFL draft
Isaiah Simmons, Derrick Brown, Javon Kinlaw. The same names have been largely going around and around when it comes to who the Panthers will select with the seventh overall pick in next week’s NFL draft.
Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah is a natural fit, if he were to fall that far down in the first round.
What are some other names that could be possibilities for Carolina? Where else could they go with the seventh overall pick? Here are some less obvious possibilities that could make sense:
Jedrick Wills — OT (Alabama)
The top four offensive tackles in the draft are all expected to go early, including Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Louisville’s Mekhi Becton and Georgia’s Andrew Thomas. Yes, the Panthers traded guard Trai Turner for left tackle Russell Okung. But the veteran only has one year left on his deal and general manager Marty Hurney said last week that one of the many goals the team had this offseason was to improve the depth on the offensive line. Drafting a top offensive tackle would do just that.
Besides, Wills played right tackle at Alabama and is very talented. NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein compared him to Jason Peters. Taylor Moton is in line for a potential contract extension this offseason, but even with Moton, Okung and second-year left tackle Greg Little, the Panthers wouldn’t be wrong to build their depth at tackle.
And keep in mind that coach Matt Rhule said last week that just because they addressed offense more in free agency, doesn’t mean they won’t continue to work on the unit in the draft.
“We got a lot of guys in free agency on offense. That doesn’t mean though, in my mind at least, that we won’t draft a guy on offense,” Rhule said. “There’s a thought of, ‘Hey, you should throw your fastball.’ ”
K’Lavon Chaisson — EDGE (LSU)
This would be a bit of a reach. Chaisson is a better candidate if the Panthers were to move back from seven, but there’s no denying that the defense would be improved by a strong presence on the edge.
He had 6.5 sacks last season with LSU, despite missing two games with an ankle injury, and offensive coordinator Joe Brady got to spend a year around him. Chaisson also had a team-high 13.5 tackles for loss and 60 total stops. Draft analysts have pointed out that he needs to improve his run-stopping ability, but he has the potential to become a dominant edge rusher, and Rhule has said multiple times they are interested in players who they can help develop.
The Panthers lost their two sack leaders from 2019 in free agency, Mario Addison (9.5) and Bruce Irvin (8.5). Bringing in a top edge presence would only help in the long term.
Justin Herbert — QB (Oregon)
Teddy Bridgewater is the starter for 2020. But that doesn’t mean the Panthers should completely ignore the position if the quarterback they are in love with is available at seventh overall.
We know that Hurney was at Oregon’s Pro Day and talked with Herbert, who also impressed at the Senior Bowl.
“(I’m) a really hard worker. I’m a guy that I pride myself on the way I prepare and how hard I work,” Herbert said at the Senior Bowl. “I’m going to do my best, I’m going to do everything I can to be successful and play this game for as long as I can.”
The Panthers have far more pressing needs. But quarterback isn’t an average position. It’s too important to not get right. Bridgewater does not need to be the long-term solution. Building for the future can start now if the right player is available. Whether or not Carolina sees enough in Herbert should be the question if he is available, not if quarterback is the most pressing need.
CeeDee Lamb — WR (Oklahoma)
The Panthers addressed wide receiver in free agency, signing Robby Anderson, Keith Kirkwood and Seth Roberts to go along with DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel. But that doesn’t mean adding a weapon like Lamb would be a bad move.
Do the Panthers have much bigger needs than wide receiver? Certainly, but we’re looking at outside-the-box options. Lamb would be a huge target for Bridgewater and make the weapons Carolina has brought in for Brady’s offense even better. Lamb could play wherever he is needed and was one of the top receivers in the country in 2019.
With this draft having such a deep wide receiver class, taking Lamb or any other receiver wouldn’t be the best use of the seventh overall pick, but it could make sense if the Panthers get a good offer to trade back.
Required reading
+ Evaluating the dire state of the Panthers’ defense and who can help in the NFL draft
+ Mel Kiper Jr. thinks the Panthers will get the 3rd best player in the NFL draft
+ Russell Okung hasn’t moved to Charlotte but is already being the leader the Panthers need
+ Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly ... Counting down the 10 best draft picks in Panthers history
+ The 10 worst draft picks in Panthers history and the players they could’ve had instead
+ Matt Rhule and the Carolina Panthers will finally begin OTAs next week ... online
+ Can the Panthers get lucky at No. 7? The good and bad of that pick in the NFL draft
This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 12:00 AM.
