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After Leonard Fournette went to the Jaguars at #4, the Panthers were targeting three players: Jamal Adams, Christian McCaffrey, and O.J. Howard. The Jets took Adams at #6, leaving Carolina to choose between the dynamic running back from Stanford and the well-rounded tight end from Alabama.
Read MoreThe comparison has been around probably since Leonard Fournette was in the 8th grade and flattened a SENIOR defensive back in high school. The DB's name? Tyrann Mathieu. It looks like Bo Jackson v. 2.0 has finally manifested himself as we enter the final week before the 2016 NFL Draft.
Read MorePost-UFA signings and pre-draft days make for a long, roughly six-week wait, and every possible scenario gets discussed ad nauseum to the point where we fans just want the dadgum draft to happen already!
Read MoreThe last few weeks have been full of mock picks by analysts and fans alike for who the Panthers will take at pick eight. A popular name lately has been Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey.
McCaffrey was being mocked in the late first, early second round before the combine but has steadily gained steam since his combine and pro day. Visits and talks with teams have certainly also played into that.
Stats like how he had more yards per carry versus eight man boxes than any other running back in the nation, including LSU's Leonard Fournette, have also pushed it.
More and more mocks seems to be following Josh Norris' and Jourdan Rodrigue's early prediction of him fitting in with the Panthers at the eighth pick. Now NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah has him to Carolina in the same spot with his mock draft released Wednesday. Then this tweet later on the night from Peter Schrager really got the tweets flowing.
Here's one for Wednesday night. Heard from multiple front office execs over last few days. Feeling is now Christian McCaffery goes Top 10.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) April 6, 2017
Sure, McCaffrey could go to one of the seven teams before Carolina, but the fit here just seems to perfect for a team looking to "evolve." Throw in the fact that Panthers recently wide receivers coach Lance Taylor was McCaffrey's running back coach during his tenure at Stanford and it makes even more sense.
McCaffrey would bring versatility to a Panthers offense that needs another weapon for Cam Newton. His running and receiving ability being used the right way could be tough to plan for on opposing defenses. I know what you're thinking, "Would Shula know how to use him correctly?" I believe so, and that's also where his former coach Lance Taylor comes in. If anyone know how to use him, it should be him.
This will likely grow the closer we get to the draft and could even change between now and then like it has drastically since the combine, but one things for sure, whatever name is announced at pick eight should be one we've all heard.
Written By Tripp Morgan
Follow @TrippMorgan6 and @Cat_Chronicles for news and updates surrounding the Carolina Panthers.
Article Thumbnail Image by Jesse Fraetis
More news of work outs from top draft prospects continue to roll as we near the draft. Another one for the Panthers is scheduled with Wisconsin's LB T.J. Watt, brother of NFL star defensive end J.J. Watt according to NFL.com.
You're probably thinking we have enough linebackers, but Watt is actually believed to be an effective edge rusher in a 4-3 defense like the Panthers according to many scouts.
Watt battled knee injuries for two years before finally getting healthy in 2016 and breaking out with 63 tackles, 15.5 for loss, and 11.5 sacks. Scouts also said he already looks stronger than he did on tape during 2016 and they expect that to improve.
He posted a 4.69 40-yard dash, 37" vertical, and a 10.5" broad jump. Most analysts have him going late first round or early second as a projection. With that, the Panthers are probably getting a look at him in case he were to fall to them in the second round. He's not an option at pick eight.
Written By Tripp Morgan
Follow @TrippMorgan6 and @Cat_Chronicles for the latest news and reports on the Carolina Panthers
Article photo by Jesse Fraetis
Arguably the best tight end in the 2017 draft and fan favorite, O.J. Howard, is scheduled to work out with the Panthers.
Howard went into the combine at 6'6" and weighed 251 lbs, but was able to push out an impressive 4.51- 40 yard dash. Howard is almost assured to be a top 20 pick in the draft with his talent level. According to a report from NFL.com's Connor Orr, Howard is expecting to do a lot of in-line blocking drills with the Panthers, who happen to be his first private workout. Howard has also said he takes pride in blocking, which would play a big part if he were to be on the Panthers offense.
Combine Comparison
— Tripp Morgan (@TrippMorgan6) March 21, 2017
OJ Howard:6'6" 251lbs
40-4.51, vert-30", 3 cone-6.85 BP-22
G. Olsen: 6'5" 255lbs
40-4.51, vert-35.5", 3 cone-7.04 BP-23
Many want to see the Panthers take Howard with the eighth overall pick, allowing for the offense to get back to 2011 form with the Olsen and Shockey duo while also grooming him behind one of the best tight ends in the NFL in Greg Olsen. This may sound good, but recent Rivera statements have hinted otherwise in a presser with Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer.
“You look at what we’ve got, it’s a very deep position for us right now,” Rivera said. “We like the young guys that are trying to be developed. They’re all young guys that fit what we do, know what we do. They’ve been around. So we feel pretty good about that ... but you never know.”
There's no doubt Howard would be a great addition to the Panthers and have some impact immediately, but the fact is there are more needs, some bigger, at other positions.
Written By Tripp Morgan
Follow @TrippMorgan6 and @Cat_Chronicles for the latest news and updates surrounding the Carolina Panthers
Article photo by Jesse Fraetis
Rampant speculation is the name of the game at this time of the NFL calendar every year...that "dead time" when most of the free agents have been signed and the NFL Draft. Since teams have solidified their rosters as much as they're likely to before the draft in a month, there's not much else to look at.
Read MoreZay Jones had for the most part been overlooked going into the post season despite record shattering numbers for both most career receptions (399) in NCAA history and most receptions in a single season (158) in NCAA history.
Read MoreUPDATE: After Atlanta's 48-33 thumping of the Panthers & Matt Ryan and Julio Jones setting franchise records for yards in a game at their positions, I figured I would go ahead and post this piece I wrote on Friday:
Since we're only about to enter week four of the 2016 NFL season, it's a bit early still to be thinking about next year, but after a 1-2 start, the team's weaknesses have been exploited by smart & physical opponents, so I have some early thoughts on what positions might garner particular attention from GM Dave Gettleman in next April's NFL Draft. Read on for my list, starting with the most-needed position and assuming no big free agents are signed.
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