Preview of Potential 1st Round Picks for the Carolina Panthers
With the 2017 NFL Draft coming up in about 10 months, I'm going to preview 4 draft prospects that could potentially be wearing black and blue at the start of the 2017-2018 season. Keep in mind, though, Carolina's activity in free agency could drastically change this list, at which point I'll be coming out with a new post to address those changes. Now, without further ado:
Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
If not for Myles Garrett, Malik Hooker would most likely be the best defensive prospect in this draft class. He's one of the most instinctual guys in this draft as well. I've seen several scouts compare him to Reggie Nelson. Not a bad comp, if you ask me. Carolina's secondary was ranked 27th in the NFL, according to PFF, allowing a 67% completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks and an average of 7.5 yards per completion. I can't even count how many times I pounded the table after watching one of our safeties whiff horribly on a tackle attempt. Carolina needs to upgrade that position badly. I could easily see them snatching up Hooker if he were to fall to #8. This would fit Gettleman's "Best Player Available" philosophy, as well as fill a huge hole in this rising defense.
Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
As Panthers fans, we've already heard everything there is to hear about the big bruiser known as Leonard Fournette. He would be a day 1 starter that fits perfectly into Carolina's power run style. Jonathan Stewart has been serviceable over his tenure in Carolina, but his production has been rapidly declining since taking over the lead role when DeAngelo Williams was released. In 2016, he managed a pedestrian 3.8 YPC. While some of his struggles can be attributed to the abysmal offensive line play, the bottom line is, he turns 30 next month and we all know that running backs in the NFL might as well check into hospice care once they reach that milestone. If Fournette is available at #8, you can bet your ass that Gettleman is gonna take a good, hard look at him.
Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Davis is getting a lot Demaryius Thomas comps from scouts. He's got the size that Carolina covets (6'1", 205 lbs.) and he's a smart guy. He's extremely competitive and he's probably one of the most crisp route runners in this draft class. Carolina's receivers were not good in 2016. In fact, they only accounted for about 40% of Carolina's 37 offensive touchdowns. Their leading receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, was tied for 18th in touchdown receptions (7) and he often quit on plays and looked out of shape. Davis could easily supplant Benjamin as the #1 receiver by midseason due to his physical gifts, exceptional route running and the fact that there have never been questions about his work ethic.
Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
Thomas is a bit undersized for a DE, but he packs a lot of power and quickness in his smaller frame. He will easily put on weight before the start of training camp, but his length can't be helped. Despite that, he would be an instant upgrade over any of Carolina's edge rushers not named Mario Addison. Carolina recorded 47 sacks in 2016, which is nothing to sneeze at, but only 22 of those were recorded by players listed as Defensive Ends on the depth chart and 9.5 were recorded by 1 DE alone, the aforementioned Addison.
