Carolina Panthers 2015 NFL Draft Preview
By Zac Snyder
Teams are putting the finishing touches on their preparation as the 2015 NFL Draft is nearly here.
To preview the draft for the Carolina Panthers, I got together with Bryan Palmese of Cat Crave. Below are my questions followed by his answers.
1. What are the team’s biggest needs heading into the draft and how might they address them?
"A number two wide receiver and a franchise offensive tackle are at the top of the list, with a top-flight safety coming in right after. GM Dave Gettleman has set the franchise up to truly select the best player available for their needs, based on how he handled free agency. Gettleman watched from the sideline while all of the premier, ‘big name’ free agents were putting ink to paper. He filled out the bottom part of the depth chart, and is going to allow his keen eye in the draft be the ticket for acquiring the Panthers’ future stars. For WR, they will try to find a speedy compliment to sophomore Kelvin Benjamin. Guys like Nelson Agholor, Phillip Dorsett and Devin Smith fit the bill nicely. In the trenches, I think a player like Jake Fisher or D.J. Humphries fit the mold of what Gettleman wants. If they evade OT in the first round or two, I believe a player like Rob Crisp, from NC State would be a great addition in the mid-rounds. In the secondary, Landon Collins would be ideal, but he will have to slide on day one of the draft. Players like Durell Eskridge or James Sample could be players selected a little later on that would look great in Carolina as well."
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2. What needs to happen for this draft to be considered a success?
"If the Panthers 2015 draft haul can mirror the success of the 2014 class, then they should be set. Gettleman hit on five-out-of-six draft selections, and brought in two starters via the UDFA scrap heap. The Panthers’ GM has his roots embedded in scouting, so I predict another homerun draft in Carolina. They are armed with three draft picks in the fifth round, and can use two of those to move around a bit, if they so desire. I think if Cam Newton is given some explosive playmakers, and some depth on the O-line, then it will be deemed a successful draft. I also wouldn’t rule out a Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon selection in round one to add a high-octane running back to groom for 2016."
3. What in your mind would make this draft a failure?
"Overthinking. Sometimes, a franchise tries to get too cute and reach for a small school gem, rather than a player from a more viable school. The Panthers are set up beautifully to grab players that fall into their lap, and not have to panic about filling needs. This is a position of strength to be working from, and Carolina just has to play the course as it is."
4. What is a bold prediction for your team this draft?
"If DeVante Parker falls to 20, I think Carolina hops on the phone and makes a move up for him. He is one of the “Big 3″ weapons at wideout, and would be a phenomenal toy for Newton. I don’t think Parker will fall, but a lot of surprises happen on draft day, especially with this year’s crop of WRs. Breshad Perriman has been skyrocketing up draft boards, and there’s always the swirling boom-or-bust potential of Dorial Green-Beckham. All it takes is a franchise to fall in love with one of these two players, or some random trades to go down, and Parker starts to slide. Carolina is not a team that likes to move up, but Gettleman knows the glaring hole at the flanker position, and having two receivers over 6’3” would help the offense immensely."
5. What is a draft angle the general public might not be aware of for your team?
"We don’t need an OT in the first round! I’d say 80% of the mocks that I have seen, consistently pluck an offensive tackle for Carolina at #25. Yes it’s a need, but the Panthers are more than content with running Michael Oher on the left side, and Mike Remmers on the strong side. Carolina also signed ex-San Francisco 49er RT Jonathan Martin for depth, so there are a few horses already in the stable. That’s not to say that the Panthers are confident in this group for the long haul, but I beleive that their mentality is that the odds of a player being selected at #25, will not be better than Michael Oher in 2015. Carolina will add at least one (probably two) offensive tackles at some point during draft weekend, but I really will be surprised if they do on day one. Their plan is to kick the tires for another season on Remmers, to see if he’s the future at right tackle, and develop a left tackle over the next year or two. This left tackle does not necesarily have to be found in round one though. Honestly, I think there’s more of a chance that Gettleman grabs a defensive end or one of the running backs, than snagging a first-round offensive tackle."
For full Panthers coverage, check out Cat Crave.
Next: NFL 2-Round Mock Draft 2015