Carolina Panthers: Five potential draft targets in the Senior Bowl

EUGENE, OREGON - NOVEMBER 30: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks passes the ball during the first half of the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OREGON - NOVEMBER 30: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks passes the ball during the first half of the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
Jalen Hurts, potential Carolina Panthers draft target
Jalen Hurts of the Oklahoma Sooners (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

The 2020 Senior Bowl will be played this Saturday in Mobile, Alabama. The Carolina Panthers could draft several of the game’s participants.

With the college football season officially over, the Senior Bowl is the final chance for a select group of seniors to impress NFL scouts in live game action. The annual game will be played this coming weekend in Mobile, Alabama, and will be coached by members of the Bengals’ and Lions’ staffs. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 pm ET on NFL Network.

Now less than a month into the offseason, the Panthers have hired a new head coach, as well as coordinators on both sides of the ball. With a general manager already in place, the team can really ramp up its draft scouting. Names such as Joe Burrow and Isaiah Simmons have been thrown around in regards to being potential fits in Carolina; however, neither are participants in the Senior Bowl. Nor are Andrew Thomas, Lloyd Cushenberry, or Kristian Fulton.

The Panthers currently own the seventh-overall pick in April’s draft, and have a host of needs. The offensive line was horrific in 2019, nobody really seems to know the status of Cam Newton’s health, and Luke Kuechly’s sudden retirement has left a huge void at linebacker. On top of that, Carolina will have to make decisions on several key free agents. The entire franchise–including the roster–is in the midst of a major upheaval, and the Senior Bowl could be the first step in deciding how to retool the organization. With that being said, here are five players in Saturday’s senior showcase that the Panthers could wind up drafting later this spring.