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Josh Norris 2020 Panthers 7-round mock draft spectacular

TheSpecialJuan

By TheSpecialJuan,
in Carolina Panthers

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TheSpecialJuan Grand Master

TheSpecialJuan

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TEAM NEEDS

Hartitz’s Analysis

Offensive line: Starters LG Greg Van Roten and G/T Daryl Williams are both gone. Meanwhile, stud RG Trai Turner was traded for Chargers LT Russell Okung. This offense needs more than a few more pieces across the offensive line. Only the Jets allowed more QB hurries than the Panthers, and nobody gave up more sacks (Pro Football Reference).

Defense: This looks a lot like the NFL's single-worst defense at the moment. The Panthers have holes at all three levels of the defense and truly need to address basically every position. LB Luke Kuechly is just one of many holes to fill in the league's single-worst run defense in just about every metric. DT Kyle Love, DE Vernon Butler, OLB Bruce Irvin, OLB Mario Addison and DT Gerald McCoy are all gone. The secondary was solid enough in 2019, but No. 1 CB James Bradberry is now with the Giants, and CB Ross Cockrell remains a free agent. This offense has a chance to be fun quickly, but the front office needs to add more talent on the defensive side of the ball.

PANTHERS' 2020 DRAFT PICKS

Norris’ Options

1 (7). LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson - Players like Simmons aren’t common. He fluidly flips from rushing the passer on one play to working as a single high safety the next. Versatility is only real if the player wins from each spot - otherwise he’s just losing from multiple alignments. Simmons is versatile. Because a player like Simmons is rare, it is fair to wonder if most teams can really be creative enough to maximizes his skills. The Panthers are in a bit of a difficult spot here. There’s a massive hole at one outside corner spot. Kawann Short is getting older and is the lone, disruptive defensive tackle. Is an off-ball hybrid player in a bad defense really going to move the needle for the Panthers in the short term, even if he is a quality prospect who fits their multiple identity?

2 (38). iDL Jordan Elliott, Missouri - It’s not an exaggeration to say every position on defense needs to be replaced or improved on this roster. And while defense is not as important as offense, that’s still a major problem. Elliott is a pass rusher with a plan, chaining moves and movement together to win from multiple alignments.

3 (69). CB Reggie Robinson, Tulsa - Matt Rhule prioritized athleticism to gain an edge in recruiting. Meanwhile, Marty Hurney has no process to speak of. I’ll side with the person who likely will be employed by the team longer (Rhule) and select a great athlete at this pick who also appears to be a great competitor at the catch point.

4 (113). CB Bryce Hall, Virginia - Yes, back to back corner picks. The team needs it. Donte Jackson displayed some promise, but he also ended the 2019 season on the bench due to coaching disagreements and poor play. Hall played outside in 2019, which could push Jackson to the slot - another area of need for Carolina.

5 (148). EDGE James Smith-Williams, NC State - With additions along the defensive line this offseason, it can be assumed the team cares about athleticism along their front four or five. Smith-Williams’ game is built on exploding through his opponent.

5 (152). OL John Simpson, Clemson - The Panthers will have two new starting guards in 2020. Dennis Daley likely occupies one, this adds competition to the other.

6 (184). S Chris Miller, Baylor - I couldn’t exit this draft without attaching one Baylor prospect to Matt Rhule.

7 (221). TE Charlie Taumoepeau, Portland State - Ian Thomas faces very little competition for the starting tight end job.

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TheSpecialJuan Grand Master

TheSpecialJuan

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The Panthers are in a bit of a difficult spot here. There’s a massive hole at one outside corner spot. Kawann Short is getting older and is the lone, disruptive defensive tackle. Is an off-ball hybrid player in a bad defense really going to move the needle for the Panthers in the short term, even if he is a quality prospect who fits their multiple identity?

This makes me think we take Derrick Brown over Simmons if both are there @7

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TheSpecialJuan Grand Master

TheSpecialJuan

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3 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

I'll give that draft a solid...meh.

It's not filled with big, sexy names but it makes sense due to the fact that under Rhule, we are now focusing on drafting athletes then handing them over to our coaching staff to mold into starters. Rhule and his staff did this at Tempe and Baylor. 

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sml1950 Newbie

sml1950

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Rotoworld is an analytics/fantasy website and should be understood in that context.  It is essentially a “math” draft rather than the more conventional mock draft.  For instance, Brown is rated 22nd and Kinlaw 40th.  PFF  has neither in the first round.  FYI...

https://www.rotoworld.com/article/nfl-draft-preview/analytics-top-300-rankings-2020-nfl-draft

Tepper/Rhule have advocated using more analytics, so this may be more useful than other ratings.  We’ll see.

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