It’s not terribly difficult to find a good prospect in the first two rounds of the NFL draft. Teams that are able to mine gems in the third round and later are typically more competitive than those that can’t, though. We’ve already examined potential first and second-rounders Ad nauseum. With one day left before the draft, let’s look at some intriguing third-round options.
Here’s eight players worth considering for the Panthers in round three this year.
Wisconsin OL Michael Deiter
No other position group needs as much help as Carolina’s offensive line. Left tackle is the most obvious and glaring need and there’s a good chance it will be addressed with the No. 16 pick. However, they could still use an upgrade at left guard over Greg Van Roten. Deiter can do that and has experience at center and left tackle, as well. For a team with this many holes up front, that flexibility should definitely put Deiter on their radar.
Penn State RB Miles Sanders
Christian McCaffrey may be superhuman, but the Panthers need someone who can give him a breather every now and then. Ron Rivera has said he wants a player who can replicate McCaffrey’s skill-set. While that’s extremely difficult, Sanders is an experienced pass-catcher who can line up in the slot and runs excellent routes for a running back. He’s also a solid pass blocker, which should be a prerequisite for whoever they have their eye on for that primary backup role.
NC State WR Kelvin Harmon
Not too long ago, Carolina’s wide receiver corps was generally considered to be too big and too slow. At the moment, it’s arguably too small. Chris Hogan (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) is currently the biggest one on the roster. The local Harmon offers a boost in this area. At the combine, he checked in at 6-foot-2, 221 pounds with 32.5 inch arms. He was an All-ACC selection last season after posting 81 catches, 1,186 yards and seven touchdowns.
Iowa S Amani Hooker
Round two is probably the sweet spot for the Panthers to pick a safety this year, but if they wait until round three they could still find a quality starter. Hooker is more of a strong safety type. However, his ball skills and football IQ make him an intriguing possibility. Last season at Iowa he totaled four interceptions and seven pass breakups. In Carolina’s zone-heavy defensive scheme, Hooker would feel right at home.
Buffalo QB Tyree Jackson
By now you’ve probably heard the Panthers are madly in love with West Virginia’s Will Grier and may target him as early as the second round, possibly even in a trade up. If they truly are set on Grier, they should wait until at least round four to get him. Picking Jackson in the third might be the better move, though. Jackson offers as close a match to Cam Newton’s athletic profile and skill-set as anyone. If Cam is injured again, Jackson would offer a more seamless transition than any other QB in this class.
Boston College DE Zach Allen
Most analysts (present company included) are assuming the Panthers will pick a pass rusher in the first two rounds. However, if they are patient enough to hold off until later, they could land a potential sleeper like Allen. Over his last three seasons at Boston College, Allen averaged 5.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for a loss per year. Allen’s power and effort can make him a dangerous pro edge rusher with some time to grow and develop.
Oklahoma OL Dru Samia
The Panthers have understandably shown a lot of interest in Oklahoma’s offensive line, which was the best in college football last year. Right tackle Cody Ford is the big name, but Ben Powers and Samia are also worth considering inside. Samia is athletic and moves surprisingly well for his size. At the combine, he was measured at 6-foot-5, 305 pounds.
Houston CB Isaiah Johnson
If the Panthers are confident in James Bradberry, Ross Cockrell and Donte Jackson, they may decide to pass on a deep outside cornerback class. That might not be a great idea, though. Bradberry is far from a true No. 1 option and a prospect like Johnson could qualify as a major upgrade. His size, length and ball skills would all be welcome attributes in the secondary.
