Breaking down the Carolina Panthers' 2018 draft class.
Round 1, No. 24 overall: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
My take: I agree with former Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith, now an analyst on the NFL Network. After Carolina selected Moore, the team’s all-time leading receiver said on camera that the Panthers never replaced him after he was released following the 2013 season. Truth. Smith also said Moore could be the guy. Moore (6 feet, 210 pounds) is going to be the physical, breakaway receiver that made Smith special. He’ll also bring an attitude like Smith had. As general manager Marty Hurney said, when Moore has the ball “he turns into a running back.” That has been lacking from the receiving corps that barely was adequate last season. Moore, along with another former Maryland receiver, Torrey Smith, acquired in a trade with Philadelphia, gives this group a huge upgrade.
Patience was key: Hurney said he planned to be patient and let the board come to him. Did it. He got the receiver he wanted. According to Moore, the Panthers told him during his official visit that he would be the pick if he was still there. The staff thought enough of Moore to select him over Alabama’s Calvin Ridley, considered a more polished route runner. What Moore brings that Ridley may not is a more physical receiver with breakaway speed after the catch. He’ll also bring a toughness to the group that was much-needed. He said he “lit it up’’ for Carolina during his workout for the team. He even sounds like Smith, which made coach Ron Rivera smile.
Tough choice: Carolina could have had the top tight end in South Carolina’s Hayden Hurst, who went to Baltimore at No. 25. Hurst might have been a luxury pick with Pro Bowler Greg Olsen signed to a two-year extension through 2020 earlier in the day. But there has to be concern with no proven tight end behind Olsen, who is 33 and coming off a season in which he missed nine games with a broken foot. Finding that player in the next few rounds will be important.
Round 3, No. 55: No. 55 pick, Donte Jackson, CB, LSU
My take: He’s a bit undersized at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds. So against big wide receivers in the NFC South -- see Julio Jones and Mike Evans -- he’ll be at a disadvantage. But what Jackson brings is speed: He was clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.31 seconds at his pro day. So he can take away the deep threat that hurt the Panthers in 2017. The Panthers could have selected a safety here with Stanford’s Justin Reid and Alabama’s Ronnie Harrison still on the board. That’s definitely a need. But they apparently believe they can fill that position piecemeal as they have the past few years.
How he fits: He’ll join the mix of free-agent acquisition Ross Cockrell, Captain Munnerlyn, Corn Elder and perhaps Zack Sanchez to compete for the starting spot opposite James Bradberry. The Panthers traded starter Daryl Worley to Philadelphia, which released him after an arrest, because they weren’t happy with Worley’s production and had the opportunity to get wide receiver Torrey Smith. Worley in particular was vulnerable on the deep ball. Jackson has a chance to make an immediate impact in a secondary that needs more speed.
Round 3, No. 85: Rashaan Gaulden, CB, Tennessee
My take: The Panthers could have taken Alabama’s Harrison here but went with Gaulden even though he had a slow 40 time (4.61) at the NFL combine and didn’t perform well in general in Indianapolis. His position flexibility sets him apart for the Panthers. He’s also a good open-field tackler. Gaulden might be best known for an obscene gesture directed at Alabama fans off after Tennessee scored its only touchdown in a blowout loss to the Crimson Tide last season, but he doesn’t appear to be a problem player. He openly answered questions about the incident during pre-draft interviews and when he spoke to Carolina media immediately after being selected. He politely said there’s no place for that kind of behavior in the game.
How he fits: Gaulden will battle free-agent acquisition Da'Norris Searcy for the free-safety spot, but he can play nickel or even corner if necessary. The Panthers like players with position flexibility and Gaulden brings that, but safety will be his immediate focus. Despite a poor performance at the combine, he is considered a solid player who can add instant competition at a position in need of that.
Round 4, No. 101: Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana
My take: I like this pick. Thomas (6-4, 259) was the best of the remaining tight ends and fills a big need. He didn’t get the attention of the top three or four tight ends, such as Hayden Hurst and Mike Gesicki, but he has the potential to be a top-tier player with grooming. What better player to groom behind than three-time Pro Bowl selection Greg Olsen? Thomas is raw, but the Baltimore native has the size and skill set teams seek at this position. His 15 yards per reception as a senior was impressive. He called making the NFL a “dream come true,’’ having been raised by his brother after losing his parents at the age of 9.
How he fits: The Panthers run a lot of two-tight end sets, and they let Ed Dickson sign with Seattle in free agency. So, Thomas will step right into that role and battle Chris Manhertz. Thomas likely has the edge based on his ability as a receiver. The long-term goal is to develop Thomas into a future replacement for Olsen, who is signed through the 2020 season.
Round 4, No. 136: Marquis Haynes, DE, Ole Miss
My take: At 6-3 and 235 pounds, Haynes is a bit undersized for an end, but the Panthers have done well with undersized end Mario Addison. They obviously like Haynes' potential, trading fifth- and sixth-round picks to the Rams to move back into the bottom of the fourth round. Haynes knows how to get to the quarterback. He holds Ole Miss’ modern-day sack record with 32, breaking the mark of 26.5 held by former Carolina Pro Bowl selection Greg Hardy, whose career ended prematurely because of off-the-field issues. Haynes will need to beef up to play end in the NFL, and says his goal is to get to the 242-244 range.
How he fits: He seems like a good fit to develop as a future starter behind his childhood idol Julius Peppers and Addison. He’ll be in the mix for a spot in the four-man rotation that has an opening after Peppers, Addison and Wes Horton. He’ll be battling 2017 third-round pick Daeshon Hall and Bryan Cox Jr. for that. It’s not essential for Haynes to make the four-man rotation this year, but it is essential for him to provide good competition and begin developing for the 2019 season.
Round 5, No. 161: Jermaine Carter Jr., LB, Maryland
My take: A good value pick here. The Panthers need depth behind middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, who’s been placed in the concussion protocol each of the past three seasons. They have David Mayo, but with outside linebacker Thomas Davis suspended the first four games, per the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, there will be some shuffling of this group. Carter has a nose for the ball and that’s what this defense is predicated on.
How he fits: His immediate role will be special teams, but the Panthers have to be prepared in case Kuechly goes down again, particularly if it’s during the first four games when Davis is out. Carter also could play weakside linebacker if he has to, but middle is his main role.
Round 7, No. 234 overall: Andre Smith, LB, North Carolina
My take: At this point if you're going to take a player you might as well stay in state to draw interest. This one is somewhat of a risk. Smith suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 this past season, and he opted to come out early instead of risking another injury. Smith was expected to be one of the top linebackers in the country last season, so it's worth the gamble at this point. Still would like to see a running back or quarterback in this round.
How he fits: Another inside linebacker, so this was a move to shore up special teams. He is a lot like middle linebacker Luke Kuechly in that he loves to hit and is a solid tackler. Smith plays well off blocks, which is key in Carolina's scheme. But again, unless Kuechly is injured there won't be playing time at middle linebacker.
Round 7, No. 242 overall: Kendrick Norton, DT, Miami
My take: This is a pick for depth at a position where the Panthers are set in their four-man rotation. I thought the Panthers would have gone quarterback here.
How he fits: It’ll be hard for him to crack the four-man rotation that appears a lock with Pro Bowler Kawann Short, free-agent acquisition Dontari Poe, Vernon Butler and Kyle Love. But one thing general manager Marty Hurney learned watching Dave Gettleman build this into a team that reached Super Bowl 50 is you can’t have enough big men. Norton is a project, but a big one at 6-foot-3, 314.