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Carolina Panthers Mock Draft: Week 17 Edition

By Christian Candeloro

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text "THE PICK IS IN" for the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text "THE PICK IS IN" for the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Round 6, Pick 167: WR Antonio Gandy-Golden – Liberty

WACO, TX – SEPTEMBER 2: Antonio Gandy-Golden #11 of the Liberty Flames breaks free against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
WACO, TX – SEPTEMBER 2: Antonio Gandy-Golden #11 of the Liberty Flames breaks free against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

It is so easy to fall in love with Gandy-Golden’s physical traits, that it’s worth taking a flyer on him in the 6th round of the 2020 draft. A massive target at 6-foot-4, 220 lbs. Gandy-Golden has the unique ability to highpoint footballs and be an elite target in the red zone.

Gandy-Golden has the ability to make plays like these:

He’d be an excellent player to bring into the fold with Newton or Love leading the offense, as each could use his abilities to bail themselves out of numerous situations. And with the emergence of D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel, there’d be no need to have Gandy-Golden be a regularly relied upon option in the Panthers’ offense.

Now, of course, there are definite red flags with Gandy-Golden that are causing him to be mocked in the 6th round. He struggles to separate from defenders, especially in press coverage and usually needs to make acrobatic catches because of his lack of explosiveness and separation ability. Still, I’m willing to risk the 167th pick in the draft for him.

Scout’s Take

"Gandy-Golden has questionable straight-line speed and relies on stride length going vertical. He attacks the ball with his hands and knows how to effectively use his frame to box out defensive backs at the catch point. He has room to improve as a route runner. Gandy-Golden tends to round off his routes, although he runs most of the route tree; he isn’t really asked to run intermediate outs and digs. He struggles to get separation going vertical and relies on his size to find success downfield. Big receivers with questionable speed sometimes struggle to translate to the next level, but he’s been productive throughout his career and has the skill-set to potentially find success. He’s an intriguing prospect that might end up a mid-to-late round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he has the potential to make a role for himself at the next level."

Also Available

WR Chase Claypool (Notre Dame), WR Isaiah Hodgins (Oregon State), WR Denzel Mims (Baylor)

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