The Panthers will select one of these four prospects in round one of the NFL Draft.

[Jeremy Igo]

So, who will the Carolina Panthers select in the first round of the NFL draft? Last year I named Shaq Thompson as one of four first round possibilities.  

This year, I believe it comes down to these four players, and I will explain why....

First, I believe both Clemson defensive ends will be off the board by pick thirty. If either are still there for some strange reason, they are in play. 

Second, I believe any wide receiver prospects the Panthers would consider in the first will also be off the board. But again, if a guy like Baylor's Corey Coleman somehow drops to 30.... he is the BPA and would not be passed up. 

So who does that leave? Here are the four guys I feel could be available and fit the Gettleman mold. Two on defense, two on offense.  

 

Vernon Butler 

Defensive Tackle - Louisiana Tech

6'4 323lbs

With a first round run made on receivers and defensive ends, Butler could possibly fall to 30, and if so may be far too enticing for Dave Gettleman to pass up. Afterall, big men allow you to compete, and Butler is a big big man. 

Butler's availability would truly put Gettleman's "Best Player Available" convictions to the test. Defensive tackle is not a pressing need for 2016, but could be seasons to come. It is unclear if the Panthers can afford to keep the KK Short / Star Lotulelei combo in tact long term. 

Additionally, the Carolina Panthers know that their pass rush must improve this season, and Butler would be one way to help that happen. Vernon Butler lined up next to KK Short on third and long would be an absolute nightmare for opposing offenses. The Panthers defensive ends would also benefit from such a pairing, reducing the likelihood of double teams. 

I like it. I like it alot. 

 

Emmanuel Ogbah 

Defensive End - Oklahoma St

6'4 273lbs

Here is a case where the BPA could also be in a huge area of need, ala Kelvin Benjamin a couple of seasons ago. Ogbah has been mocked anywhere from early twenties to early second round, landing him squarely in the Panthers draft territory. 

The Panthers are in desperate need of a pass rush from the defensive ends this season. Ogbah would make an immediate impact, exactly what Dave Gettleman likes to see from a round one selection. 

 

Derrick Henry

Running Back - Alabama

6'3 247lbs

I don't recall a more controversial draft prospect than Derrick Henry. Some love the idea, others loath it. 

What I can tell you is that Henry would fit in very well on the Panthers offense. Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert are on the later end of their Panthers careers. The need is absolutely there for a bigger bodied runner, and you don't get any bigger bodied in a runningback than Derrick Henry. 

Recently, the Panthers have been unable to "impose their will" at times on short yardage situations. Often, they resort to incomplete passes or being stuffed at the line on 3rd or 4th and one. Derrick Henry could help remedy those ills. 

 

Hunter Henry 

Tight End - Arkansas 

6'5 250lbs

I have been preaching Hunter Henry for a while now. He is a first round talent that may not be taken in the first round. If not, I have a feeling a second round trade up could happen to grab him as the Panthers did for Devin Funchess.

Still, there is a chance the Panthers do not risk losing him and pull the trigger at 30 where he would still be a good value. 

Henry would finally give the Panthers the personnel to have an intimidating two tight end package, something fans have missed since the Olsen - Shockey 2011 season.  Sure would be nice to see that again, wouldn't it? 

 

So there you have it. One of the above players is your next Carolina Panthers first round draft pick. 

 

 

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[luke nukem]

I think Hunter Henry will be off the board, If Ogbah is there then he should be the pick but that's 50/50 tbh. I Dont know how I feel about Derick Henry considering J stew will be the feature back this year coming into camp, would much rather draft a player who will see the field more. Still trust the getty no matter what.

Edited April 19, 2016 by luke nukem
everything

[cbarrier90]

If all four were available, what would be the pecking order?

[Verge]

Best available DE (Lawson, Dodd, Ogbah, Butler who would be a KK type player)

Corey Coleman

Alabama running back

Sua Cravens 

Germain Ifedi

 

;)

Edited April 19, 2016 by Verge

[uscgamecocks]

I think Coleman is going to fall to us and be the pick.  But if not, those are certainly good options that would improve the team.  My preference would be Butler / Ogbah / H Henry / D Henry, but who knows what DG is thinking.

[Jesse]

I'll be happy with any of those picks quite honestly. Regardless of what people think of the Henry's, any offensive skill position in the 1st round will make Cam's job that much easier. Secondly you cannot go wrong in picking up a beast defensive lineman - DT or DE. I think that we'll go offensively only if all of the top-mid ends are picked (Lawson, Dodd, Ogbah). 

[SOJA]

I think all four of those prospects will be available by the time we pick maybe not Butler - I think a team will surprise people and draft Cravens in front of us, but I'm still not sold we would draft him in the first, maybe a trade up in the second 

 

[nctarheel0619]

If we pick a DT in the first round, I know exactly what they're doing next offseason, and that's not signing Star to a long term contract.  

[IGSaint]

Out of those I think

Henry(RB),

Ogbah

Henry(TE)

Butler 

 

is the choices in that order although I think you could switch Henry(TE) and Butler as well. 

 

 

Edited April 19, 2016 by IGSaint

[Untouchable]

I'm secretly hoping they pass on Derrick Henry if he's there as t 30. I still think he'd be a great pick, but looking at the running back class for next year I think the class is so much deeper that the value would be much greater (particularly those power/Jstew type backs).

[Catufb85]

I could see Corey Coleman falling to us at pick 30 and then Gettleman could trade up in the teens of round 2 and give up the 4th pick to select Su'a Cravens or Hunter Henry or one of the DEs that falls.  I could see Ogbah or Dodd falling into the 2nd. 

[nctarheel0619]

1 minute ago, Untouchable said:

I'm secretly hoping they pass on Derrick Henry if he's there as t 30. I still think he'd be a great pick, but looking at the running back class for next year I think the class is so much deeper that the value would be much greater (particularly those power/Jstew type backs).

This is my thing as well.  Next years RB class is fuging stacked.  Fournette, Chubb, Perine, just to name a few.  Derrick Henry will be the first pick in the Gettlemen era that I will say "yeah, even I could've done better than that."

[manu4t]

I ran a draft simulator 20 times using the prospects we met with and/or worked out and also combining areas of need, these guys were always available, Ogbah was the pick 65% of the time and twice DHenry fell to the second rd. I never grabbed Humter Henry as we didnt seem to show as much interest in him as the others but I can see him being the pick based on the scouting reports on him and the potential fornis tonrun a very solid 2TE set.

Anyway this is a solid list and I think very spot on in terms of iur Board. Only thing I would change is to add Kevin Dodd, Incould see us grab him if he is there at 30.

[Riverboat Ron]

Also watch out if either Jarran Reed or A'Shawn Robinson fall to us, they'll be the pick if available.