2016 Team Needs: NFC South
By jonfox
Offensive line. If you have any doubt about this, watch the Super bowl again. It would have been hard for even a great offensive line to hold back the Denver pass rush, but a line with more talent wouldn’t have been so throughly shredded by the Denver pass rush.
Where could they use talent? Everywhere. Cam, despite his physical gifts, won’t be able to take the pounding if he’s getting hit nearly 200 times a season. They need to keep the pocket cleaner on top of having Cam run less to keep him healthier.
Three names to consider: Shon Coleman (day 1 of the draft), John Theus (day 3 of the draft), Pearce Slater (day 3 of the draft).
Cornerback. When the Carolina coaches rewatch the Super bowl tape, hopefully they see that Josh Norman isn’t enough for them at corner. He’s a great corner who took a big leap in his development just in time for his contract season. But he’s not enough by himself.
Robert McClain is a good story filling in for Peanut Tillman, who may or may not be back in 2016. Even if Tillman comes back for one last run, they need a young guy to develop behind him. If Tillman walks in free agency or retires, then they really do need a starter opposite of Norman.
Three names to consider: William Gay (free agency), William Jackson III (Day 1 of the draft), Will Redmond (day 3 of the draft).
Running back. Jon Stewart might be an ideal running back for the Panthers’ offense. He doesn’t want 300 touches(he probably can’t handle 300 touches a season) and has no problem with Cam getting 100 or so carries each season.
This isn’t a long term plan: at some point Cam’s body will need him to stop rushing the ball and they’ll need a running back who can handle 300 touches for them so that Cam’s rushing workload is reduced to short yardage/goal line situations.
Three names to consider: Charcandrick West (free agency), Jordan Howard (day 3 of the draft), Daniel Lasco (day 3 of the draft).
Next: New Orleans Saints