The Carolina Panthers Offseason
The Good: Trading For Sam Darnold
Trading for Sam Darnold was one of the smartest moves of the offseason; it should pay off tremendously. Sam Darnold played on one of the worst franchises in NFL history and his lack of success during his time there is 100% not his fault. The Carolina Panthers are a very stable organization with a new head coach and even Darnolds favorite receiver in Robby Anderson. He gets a second chance to prove the Jets wrong and even gets to play them in 2021 to stick it to him.
The Bad: Signing Cam Erving to a 2yr/10 million deal
The Cam Erving signing was a bit confusing as his time in Dallas was disappointing, even as a backup, and giving him a 2 yr deal at 5 million a year is overpaying a backup. The Panthers are very likely to go after an offensive tackle to block Sam Darnold's blindside as they pick at #8 But if someone were to go down during the season, Cam Erving's track record in the NFL shows that he's not up to the task.
The Ugly: Losing Curtis Samuel
The Panthers losing Curtis Samuel is going to be a huge problem for the Carolina Panthers as Curtis Samuels was an ascending talent in the NFL at the receiver position and was a great offensive weapon for the Panthers offense as both a deep threat and gadget player. The Panthers offense does have DJ Moore and Robbie Anderson, not to mention Christian McCaffrey, but Samuels ability to turn any play into something special is always a needed gift.
Offseason Grade (Pre Draft): B+
NFL Draft Summary
Day 1 Grade: B-
Selections: Jaycee HornThe Carolina Panthers, having needs at offensive tackle and receiver, chose instead to take the night's first defensive player in cornerback Jaycee Horn. Horn is a tremendous athlete with exceptional press-man coverage skills and has the potential to be a true shutdown corner in the NFL. However, many had him as the 3rd best defensive player in the draft and 2nd best cornerback and while it's not a reach by any means considering he was projected to go in the top 15, it doesn't move the needle of success as far as a playmaking receiver or stalwart offensive tackle.
Day 2 Grade: B
Selections: Terrace Marshal Jr., Brady ChristensenThe Panthers addressed one of three biggest issues in Day 2 of the draft by grabbing Terrace Marshall Jr. in the 2nd round. Marshal Jr. is a tall and athletic receiver with a nose for the end zone. He has tremendous potential as a #2 receiver for the Panthers and will give Sam Darnold a dangerous receiver tandem once paired with Robbie Anderson. Brady Christensen is an athletic offensive tackle that kept Zach Wilson's blindside clean. He has the potential to develop into a reliable starter but needs time and reps to fully reach his potential.
Day 3 Grade: A+
Selections: Chuba Hubbard, Daviyon Nixon, Keith Taylor, Deonte Brown, Shi Smith, Thomas Fletcher, Phil HoskinsThe Panthers had one of the best Day 3 of the drafts starting it off by grabbing one of the better running backs in the draft in Chuba Hubbard who will be a very good back behind Christian McCaffrey. By far the best pick of Day 3 by any team was Daviyon Nixon from Iowa who is going to pair exquisitely with Panthers Derrick Brown. Keith Taylor is a tall cornerback from Washington who has put some very good defensive backs in the NFL. Deonte Brown is a massive offensive guard that needs to work on his conditioning in order to find success in the pros but has the potential to start early once he manages his size. Shi Smith has the potential to be a good slot receiver but will need to prove himself in practice and special teams before finding action on offense. I hate picks that involve special teams players like kickers and punters but long snappers are by far the dumbest pick a team can make so the Panthers picking Thomas Fletcher is a bad move, even if he works out. Phil Hoskins is a potential backup defensive tackle if he makes the team and will need to show potential on the practice squad in order to get playing time.
Selections: Jaycee HornThe Carolina Panthers, having needs at offensive tackle and receiver, chose instead to take the night's first defensive player in cornerback Jaycee Horn. Horn is a tremendous athlete with exceptional press-man coverage skills and has the potential to be a true shutdown corner in the NFL. However, many had him as the 3rd best defensive player in the draft and 2nd best cornerback and while it's not a reach by any means considering he was projected to go in the top 15, it doesn't move the needle of success as far as a playmaking receiver or stalwart offensive tackle.
Day 2 Grade: B
Selections: Terrace Marshal Jr., Brady ChristensenThe Panthers addressed one of three biggest issues in Day 2 of the draft by grabbing Terrace Marshall Jr. in the 2nd round. Marshal Jr. is a tall and athletic receiver with a nose for the end zone. He has tremendous potential as a #2 receiver for the Panthers and will give Sam Darnold a dangerous receiver tandem once paired with Robbie Anderson. Brady Christensen is an athletic offensive tackle that kept Zach Wilson's blindside clean. He has the potential to develop into a reliable starter but needs time and reps to fully reach his potential.
Day 3 Grade: A+
Selections: Chuba Hubbard, Daviyon Nixon, Keith Taylor, Deonte Brown, Shi Smith, Thomas Fletcher, Phil HoskinsThe Panthers had one of the best Day 3 of the drafts starting it off by grabbing one of the better running backs in the draft in Chuba Hubbard who will be a very good back behind Christian McCaffrey. By far the best pick of Day 3 by any team was Daviyon Nixon from Iowa who is going to pair exquisitely with Panthers Derrick Brown. Keith Taylor is a tall cornerback from Washington who has put some very good defensive backs in the NFL. Deonte Brown is a massive offensive guard that needs to work on his conditioning in order to find success in the pros but has the potential to start early once he manages his size. Shi Smith has the potential to be a good slot receiver but will need to prove himself in practice and special teams before finding action on offense. I hate picks that involve special teams players like kickers and punters but long snappers are by far the dumbest pick a team can make so the Panthers picking Thomas Fletcher is a bad move, even if he works out. Phil Hoskins is a potential backup defensive tackle if he makes the team and will need to show potential on the practice squad in order to get playing time.
