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While everyone discusses Carolina’s need for receivers or additions to the secondary, centers aren’t usually at the forefront of the conversation unless you like big butts. But you other brothers can’t deny that it may be time--to get sprung.
Read MoreThis pick was hard for me. I do not see Fournette available, which takes that part out. Part of me wanted to go McCaffrey
Read MoreThe draft is coming up quick and we have been getting a fair share of mocks over the last several weeks. One of the biggest telling points for projected player talent is the scouting combine each year. This is a where a projected top ten draft pick can fall to the mid-twenties over tenths of a second on the forty yard dash.
There are a few key positions the Carolina Panthers will likely be eyeing, so here are the most important days of the combine for Panthers fans to keep an eye on.
RUNNING BACKS/OFFENSIVE LINE
DATE- MARCH 3RD (DAY ONE)
TIME- STARTS 9AM
PLAYERS TO WATCH-
RB LEONARD FOURNETTE, LSU- Everyone will have their eyes on running back Leonard Fournette as he has been the favorite of many mock drafts to go to the Panthers. As with most prospects, scouts will be eyeing his forty time. Many believe he could surprise people with it.
OT CAM ROBINSON, ALA.- A fan favorite to keep franchise quarterback Cam Newton upright and help get the running game back on track, Robinson has been rated the top tackle in a weak offensive line class. Scouts didn't originally have him falling to eight, but some recent mocks have him lower now.
RB DALVIN COOK, FLA ST.- There's a pretty good split among people who want Cook and Fournette. Many think the Panthers should get a back who can help in the pass game with some versatility, which is why they like Cook. A skeptical past could keep the Panthers away from Cook regardless though.
OTHERS- Christian McCaffrey (Stanford), D'Onta Foreman (Texas), Jamaal Williams (BYU), Ryan Ramcyzk (WIS), Adam Bisnowaty (PITT), and Will Holden (VAN).
DEFENSIVE LINE/ LINEBACKERS
DATE- MARCH 5TH (DAY THREE)
TIME- 9AM START
PLAYERS TO WATCH-
DE DEREK BARNETT, UT- Myles Garrett may be ranked with the higher upside, but Barnett has some himself. Barnett is quick off the edge. He's athletic, quick, and has good hand use. It will be interesting to see how well he performs here.
DE SOLOMAN THOMAS, STANFORD- Some have the Panthers taking Thomas at eight, which is interesting considering scouts seem to think he would fit better in a 3-4 scheme. Nevertheless, he's one to keep an eye on.
DE TACO CHARLTON, MI- Taco has been pinned as a good 4-3 base end but has been said to have the versatility and athleticism to work in 3-4 as a stand up linebacker. He's gained a lot of momentum heading into combine weekend.
OTHERS- DeMarcus Walker (FLA ST), and Keionta Davis (UT-Chatt)
DEFENSIVE BACKS
DATE- MARCH 6TH (DAY FOUR)
TIME- 9AM START
PLAYERS TO WATCH-
SS JAMAL ADAMS, LSU- A personal favorite of mine and of some others I've seen. Adams likely won't make it to the eighth pick, but the ability to add him to the strong safety spot and move Coleman back to free would almost immediately sure up the secondary. He's been compared to Eric Berry and I believe even packs more punch as a hard hitter.
SS JORDAN STERNS, OKL ST.- You may have noticed the trend of strong safeties here. Sterns could be a big value pick for a team in the middle rounds. A sure tackler, Sterns recorded over 100 tackles (60 or more solo) in three seasons, all of which led the team. One thing about Sterns against others on this list is he actually didn't get a combine invite, but I think he is someone to keep an eye on in the draft. Some coaches and scouts didn't expect him to test well anyway, which could allow him to slip, but you can't deny his tape and production.
OTHERS- CB Rasul Douglas (WV), S Lorenzo Jerome (St. Francis)
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT END
DATE- MARCH 4TH (DAY TWO)
TIME- 9AM START
PLAYERS TO WATCH-
WR CHRIS GODWIN, PENN ST.- Projected to go in the middle rounds, Carolina could opt to go with a receiver to force some competition coming off a down season for their wide outs. The Panthers also need to strengthen their slot position at receiver.
WR RYAN SWITZER, UNC- Mainly here because of the local love he's received from fans, but also because of his special teams versatility. A solid combine could notch him up boards late in the draft and could potentially be a late pick for quick slot receiver help the Panthers offense "evolve."
TE JORDAN LEGGETT, CLEMSON- A strong combine could cause Leggett To climb, but we know Gettleman wanted to address Greg Olsen's future replacement last season. Leggett could be that as a dangerous receiving weapon. He's currently projected to go in rounds 2-3.
OTHERS- TE BUCKY HODGES (VT), TE COLE HIKUTINI (LOUISVILLE), WR DEDE WESTBROOK (OU), WR ARTAVIS SCOTT (CLEMSON)
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Article photo by Fraetis Photography. www.fraetisphotography.com
The Panthers have already signaled they will franchise tag Josh Norman. The question is will they be able to reach a long-term deal before the season starts or will they end up renting the emerging star for a season?
Read MoreBleacher Report has put out two videos highlighting how the Panthers could create the “ultimate” offense or defense. This got me thinking, how would I do it? So I did it! My picks are based off the Drafttek mock draft, where I took only available players I saw as best fit for the Panthers.
Read MorePanthers fans were excited when the NFL announced earlier this week that they would be awarded a 5th round and a 6th round compensatory pick. Dave Gettleman was excited, noting he thought they would likely get a 5th and a 7th based on the the NFL's complex formula. Apparently he was right when claiming that "you've got to go to MIT and be a graduate in astrophysics to figure that out," because the NFL obviously went out and got one to double-check their work.
Read MoreThe first ever College Football Playoff is showing why one is needed. They also give Draft Prospects an opportunity to showcase their skills.
Read MoreTake a look at the players drafted 8th vs 21st over ten years from 2003-2012. Drafting earlier in the first round doesn't appear to yield better players. Click here to read the comparisons of the two draft positions in recent years!
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