2019 NFL draft: Carolina Panthers 3-round mock draft

The Carolina Panthers must tend to their offensive line in the 2019 NFL draft if they want to prolong QB Cam Newton’s career.

The Carolina Panthers should have one main objective in the 2019 NFL draft: Protect QB Cam Newton. It seems simple, and it probably should be at or near the top of the team’s objectives every season, but for one reason or another, Newton has suffered hit after hit behind a mismatched offensive line.

Fortunately for Newton and the Panthers, this year’s draft will offer a few first-round worthy prospects to choose from at the 16th pick. In fact, with so many talented edge rushers and a few quarterbacks expected to get snagged before Carolina is on the clock, a legitimate blue-chip lineman could fall to their selection.

It wouldn’t surprise me, in fact, if the Panthers decided to make a move up the draft board to secure one of the top tackles or interior offensive lineman in this class. They have to get aggressive if they want Newton to have a long and healthy career. His status is already in doubt this offseason because of shoulder surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff.

In this three-round mock draft, we stick to the theme of improving the offensive line. And Carolina is the beneficiary of a surprising first-round fall and a second-round steal before turning their attention to defense in the third round.

Here’s what a potential 2019 NFL draft haul could look like for the Panthers after three rounds.