69 Days until the NFL Draft....Check out the prospects
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It’s that time of year when there is very little to talk about beyond how the NFL Draft will shake out. Big boards are getting bigger by the day. Let’s take a look at the boards and see who sits at the 69-spot since we are 69 days out. These are not projections for the Panthers but simply a way to plow through the days left through the draft and learn a little about the prospects.
CBS-Tyler Shelvin, IDL, LSU
After picking a big-boy like Derrick Brown, it’s hard to see them zeroing in on a zero technique.
“He is quick and explosive off of the ball and uses his obvious raw power to create pressure in the middle. Shelvin is never going to put up big sack totals or anything like that, but he is quick and athletic enough to make life difficult on the opposing quarterback. There simply are not many centers who can sink in and anchor against a guy like Shelvin. ”
PFF-Humphrey Creed, IOL, Oklahoma
It took a year for Panthers to warm to Matt Paradis, but his standout plan in 2020 indicates he has some gas left in the tank. Paradis final years of his contract are team-friendly, but getting a younger option at center is certainly going to be needed.
“He’s been a three-year starter that’s been a key cog of one of the most explosive offenses in the country. As a left-handed center, he’s one of the few in the country. While being a limited athlete, he has the smarts of knowing how to use his frame, strength, and football IQ to his advantage. Hardly ever asked to exit outside of his parameters in the A-gaps, he’s quick to mark his territory and isn’t one to waste time jostling back and forth with interior defenders. In the right scheme, he has the chance to go on to eventually become a long-term starter in a power-centric offense that keeps his demands in short areas. He graduated with a degree in Finance (Dec. 2020). ”
The Draft Network- Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
The secondary is a problem in Carolina. Few know how good Donte Jackson can be and nobody is comfortable when matched up against powerhouses like Mike Evans or Julio Jones. Carolina has been swinging at the secondary for years. As Rasul Douglas hits free agency and expectations for Troy Pride dip, Carolina isn’t out of the market for padding the secondary with a solid player.
“He is a loose athlete with the hip flexibility to open and run upfield. He demonstrates good agility in off coverage to close separation at the top of the route. He plays with the instincts and football IQ necessary to thrive in zone situations. He has very good ball skills to locate and track, while also demonstrating the competitiveness to close and get his hands on the football”
Draftek-Cameron McGrone, ILB, Michigan
Despite Shaq Thompson accounting for a large amount of Carolina’s salary cap, linebacker play has diminished significantly since Luke Kuechly’s retirement. Tahir Whitehead was brought in to be a veteran presence as this team acclimated under a new coaching staff. Whitehead turned out to be tired, and it quickly became clear Carolina is lacking in the middle.
“Cameron McGrone projects as a starting MIKE linebacker at the professional level. McGrone is just a redshirt sophomore who enters the NFL draft process with just 19 games and 15 starts at Michigan under his belt—a significantly small sample size that will leave teams needing a little extra clarity in order to decipher his ceiling within their respective defensive systems. ”
By Tony Dunn
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