Just a short month after trading for Sam Darnold, the Carolina Panthers were looking to add some depth to the roster in this year’s draft, primarily on the offensive side of the ball. Newly added GM, Scott Fittterer, had made some minor moves in free agency, but the draft was his first opportunity to really flaunt a strong knowledge of the game.
The Panthers entered the lottery round with a total of eight picks, however, by the end of draft weekend, Carolina had acquired a total of 11 players, tied for the most in the draft. The double-digit pick count tied a franchise-record that was set in 1995, the same year that the squad entered the league as an expansion team. Logistically, the management staff came to play.
As is the case with any draft, a team’s success is not reflected by the number of picks awarded but more so the quality of the players that are selected. So, I’ll be giving each draft choice a letter grade and further breaking down the potential that we can expect to see in the upcoming season.
CB Jaycee Horn – South Carolina
The young Panthers’ secondary has been a significant issue for the last several seasons and the uncertainty at cornerback is no exception. Horn is a tenacious, press corner who boasts excellent size, length and athleticism, as evidenced by a completion percentage of 33% when targeted last season. Patrick Surtain may have been the top corner in the class, but the front office took a shot on the local talent and I can’t be mad at the decision. Alongside Donte Jackson, Jeremy Chinn and Brian Burns, the Panthers are very obviously looking to build a dominant defense that will improve for years to come.
Grade: B+
WR Terrace Marshall Jr. – LSU
Curtis Samuel’s departure to Washington in the offseason was a big blow to the receiving corps, but the Panthers filled that void with the No. 59 pick in this year’s draft. Marshall is a quick, physical receiver who should be a threat in the red zone, an area where the team has struggled as of late. Matt Rhule is looking to give Darnold all the pieces he needs to succeed, not to mention the reunion of offensive coordinator Joe Brady with a former star. Thank God for “medical concerns.”
Grade: A
OT Brady Christensen – BYU
The Panthers are clearly committed to taking better care of Darnold than the Jets ever did, drafting a solid “blind side” tackle that should strengthen the line considerably. Christensen did a phenomenal job protecting Zach Wilson at Brigham Young and boasts the highest PFF grade by a left tackle in college football history. After adding some depth to the line in free agency, the 25-year-old should be able to develop until ready. Not to mention a 4.89 40-time, which could yield dividends in the screen game with McCaffrey.
Grade: A-
TE Tommy Tremble – Notre Dame
While Tremble doesn’t boast incredible receiving talent at the tight end position, the Fighting Irish alumni is widely regarded as one of the best blocking TEs in the class. Drawing comparisons to 49ers’ George Kittle, the Panthers are clinging to an ability to develop young athletes. The only reason I’ve graded this pick so low is because I would have liked to see us go with another tackle or lineman. Still, Tremble has plenty of upside and could prove me wrong in due time.
Grade: C
RB Chuba Hubbard – Oklahoma State
With McCaffrey injured for the bulk of last season, the Panthers saw Mike Davis excel at running back only to relocate to Atlanta in the offseason. Workload has been a concern at the position for a couple of years now, so taking a big, bruising back this late in the draft was a steal. After undergoing an ankle injury this past season, Hubbard opted out of the 2020 season but that shouldn’t discount the pick. Especially considering an NCAA-best 2,094 rushing yards in 2019 to accompany 21 touchdowns.
Grade: B
DT Daviyon Nixon – Iowa
The fact that Nixon fell all the way to the fifth round still baffles me, but you won’t hear me complain. With immense size and athleticism, foundational aspects of the position, Daviyon will soon be a problem for opposing quarterbacks. At 6’3” and 313 lbs, he won Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year, a conference that is known for elite talent on the offensive line. And let’s not forget the 71-yard interception return against Penn State last season. This guy is going to get after the ball and fast.
Grade: A
Daviyon Nixon, Iowa’s 304-pound Defensive Lineman, Intercepts a Pass and Returns It 71 Yards for a T
CB Keith Taylor – Washington
As mentioned on Cat Scratch Reader, “Taylor is the first guy of this class who doesn’t capitalize the ‘a’ in ‘athlete.’” The former Husky will enter the NFL without an interception in his career and although that is not fully indicative of his on-field play, it is a red flag at this position. Still, the 5’11” cornerback is a reliable and consistent performer with the ability to flourish in man coverage situations, while adding some more depth to an area of need.
Grade: C+
G Deonte Brown – Alabama
If you look up offensive guard in a dictionary, there’s a decent chance that an image of Deonte will accompany the definition. At 6-foot-4, 344 pounds this National Champion is immense in size and has the tangibles of any good lineman. He’s spent the last five years under Saban at Alabama, who runs the program much like an NFL franchise, so the jump from college to the pros shouldn’t be an obstacle. Meanwhile, Brown never allowed a sack in 865 snaps for the Crimson Tide – this late in the draft, I like the choice.
Grade: B-
WR Shi Smith – South Carolina
Smith fell to the sixth-round due in part to “character issues,” despite 174 receptions and 2,204 yards in a four-year stint with the Gamecocks. He’s not a serious jumpball threat, standing at only 5’10”, but he is a good route runner with strong ball skills and awareness of field position. He’s got 4.4 speed and quickness in the short game, so with a capable quarterback Shi may emerge as a solid late-round grab.
Grade: B+
LS Thomas Fletcher – Alabama (Reaction Video)
For some fans, this pick may have been a bit of a head scratcher but in my eyes, it makes perfect sense. Carolina has clung to 35-year-old JJ Jansen for over a decade and it may be time to turn a new leaf. Sure, the front office may have been able to acquire someone down the road in free agency, but Fletcher is as good as it gets at the position. The long snapper played in every game of his career with the Crimson Tide and without a single botched snap. While it may be unusual, this out-of-the-box selection screams confidence in former selections.
Grade: A
DT Phil Hoskins – Kentucky
The final pick of the draft wasn’t necessarily one that turned heads, but Hoskins is a quick and lengthy defensive lineman that will add depth to that side of the ball. The tackle played 31 games at Kentucky with 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and seven QBH. Perhaps the Panthers could’ve gone with a safety, or even a linebacker, but this late in the draft it’s always better to add depth where necessary.
Grade: B
All in all, there’s a lot of potential coming to Charlotte. Carolina is ready to make a playoff push under new management and a young coaching staff and who knows? Maybe, just maybe, the missing piece is in this draft class.
Stanley out.
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