Many people were surprised when the Carolina Panthers took Shaq Thompson with the 25th pick. Some of those probably should not have been surprised that the Panthers did not take an offensive tackle in the first round of this year’s draft. The pool was just too dry by the time the Panthers got to it.
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The first thing that went against the Panthers was the attempt of La’el Collins to pull out of the draft altogether. Collins had been a tackle that many people believed was a first rounder. Multiple mock drafts had Collins going much higher than the Panthers pick not long ago. Collins’ stock suddenly tanking led to one fewer tackle being on the board.
The Redskins struck first, taking a tackle instead of Leonard Williams. The Giants then took Ereck Flowers off the board. The tackles started going at about that point, but the final nail in the tackle coffin might have been struck by the San Diego Chargers. They traded up and took Melvin Gordon, the running back. Gordon was likely going to be the pick of the Arizona Cardinals, but with him gone they took DJ Humphries. The Florida tackle was really the last guy left for the Panthers to look at.
So the Panthers took Shaq Thompson instead, and now they will look to the later rounds to fulfil their offensive lineman needs. It is not impossible though. Trai Turner was a third rounder last year.
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When the Panthers could visit with guys before the draft, they talked to several other linemen that are still on the board. That would be Lawrence Gibson of Virginia Tech, Darryl Baldwin of Ohio State, Chaz Green of Florida, and Jeremiah Poutasi of Utah. Donovan Smith of Penn State is a 2nd round grade tackle who could also be available.
There are still chances for the Panthers to shore up the offensive line. Don’t misjudge the Thompson pick as the Panthers giving up on the line altogether.