Carolina Panthers: 2017 NFL Draft Order and needs
The Carolina Panthers had a horrible 2016 season. They finished the season with a 6-10 record.
In their final regular season game, the Panthers lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-16. Carolina missed three field goals and threw three interceptions, plus missed a game-tying extra point. This game embodied how the season went – numerous mistakes, no sense of urgency, not playing with heart.
The only good thing that results from failure to make the playoffs is a high draft pick. There are several key players that the Carolina Panthers could add to their roster in the 2017 NFL Draft. An infusion of young talent would be a great way for the Panthers to reload after appearing in the Super Bowl a year ago.
The Panthers have the eighth overall draft pick. There are several needs and concerns that Carolina needs to answer in the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft.
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Running Back
The Panthers need a running back who they can groom to replace Jonathan Stewart. Although Stewart scored his second-most single season touchdowns in 2016 with nine, he has not rushed for 1,000 yards in a season since his second NFL season in 2009. Likewise, he has not played all 16 regular season games since 2011.
Offensive Tackle/Offensive Guard
Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton was a target for many NFL teams this past season. Newton suffered a concussion against the Atlanta Falcons on October 2. It became apparent that other teams wanted to knock Newton out of games, after he took numerous head shots from opposing players.
Protecting the quarterback may be the route that Carolina’s front office takes with the eighth overall pick. The Panthers cannot go wrong with selecting someone to protect Cam Newton, since he is their franchise player.
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Wide Receiver
This position seems to be a problem for the Carolina Panthers every season. Despite having Kelvin Benjamin as a wide receiver, the Panthers need more help at this position. Tight end Greg Olsen continues to be their best receiver on the team. This is a problem, solely because the Panthers continue to be limited in their offensive strategy.
When Benjamin missed several games this season due to injury, Olsen became the only threat in the receiving corps. Opposing teams were aware of this. Hence, Cam Newton was a blitzed and sacked many times this season.
It is possible that the Panthers could address their wide receiver concerns with free agency. Several notable wide receivers could be available for the taking.
Cornerback
Losing Josh Norman proved to be a huge concern for the Panthers this past season. During the 2015 season, Norman was one of the stars on the Carolina’s defense. As a lockdown defender, teams struggled throwing against the Panthers.
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When Norman left Carolina for the Washington Redskins, the Panthers’ secondary became a liability. Opposing NFL teams attacked Carolina’s secondary because they did not fear throwing the ball against them (i.e. Atlanta’s Matt Ryan connecting with Julio Jones for 300 yards on October 2).