Two weeks from today, the 2020 NFL draft will begin. The Carolina Panthers will be on the clock at No. 7 overall in the first round and there’s a lot of different directions they could go in.
Here are seven different ideas for Carolina to act on with that pick.
1. Trade down for more picks
Coming into this draft, Carolina has a weaker defense on paper than any team in the NFL. There’s also just 63 players on the roster right now. In other words? They need all the help they can get. That means trading down to get more draft capital is probably their best general strategy. If they start dealing down early from No. 7, they can begin stockpiling assets for a potentially deep draft class that addresses all of their needs.
2. Trade up for a difference maker
While trading down makes more sense, we can’t rule out the team moving up in order to guarantee they get a difference maker. Right now, it seems unlikely that this year’s top blue chip defensive prospects like Chase Young, Jeff Okudah and Isaiah Simmons are going to be available at No. 7. Getting their hands on one of those three players would make a huge impact for a defense that desperately needs an infusion of talent. Trading up for one of them might be worth it.
3. Take the top defensive prospect available
Moving up for Simmons, Young or Okudah would guarantee a star for a defense in need of one. However, this is a deep draft class at several defensive positions, so trading up might be unnecessary. Crazy things happen in the draft every year. If Aaron Rodgers can slide to No. 24, a prospect like Simmons or Okudah can definitely fall to No. 7. Being patient and waiting to see who’s on the board at that spot might be the better bet.
4. Pick a new potential franchise QB
Given the way this offseason has unfolded so far, Panthers fans should expect the unexpected. The most surprising move the team could make would be to draft a potential new franchise QB, even after signing Teddy Bridgewater and P.J. Walker. Coach Matt Rhule refused to rule out that possibility when speaking with reporters yesterday. He said he’s thinking about the next 12 years, not the next 12 months. Joe Burrow will be out of reach, but it’s possible Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert will fall to No. 7.
5. Take advantage of a strong OT class
Most analysts are expecting the Panthers to pick a defensive prospect in the first round. While it makes a lot of sense, the team has needs on the other side of the ball, as well. The 2020 class is very strong at offensive tackle and picking up one of the best would give Pat Meyer a solid foundation for the offensive line to build on once Russell Okung is gone. Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs and Louisville’s Mekhi Becton might both be available at No. 7.
6. Complete the look at wide receiver
If Carolina doesn’t pick an OT, another potential curveball pick would be going with a wide receiver. After signing Robby Anderson, adding another receiver might seem like a luxury. However, remember offensive coordinator Joe Brady uses a lot of five-receiver sets, so it shouldn’t come as a shock if they go WR at No. 7. Oklahoma’s Ceedee Lamb is the best in this class, followed by Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy, who the team met with at the scouting combine. Picking either one of them might just give the Panthers the best wide receiver corps in football.
7. Best player available
Sometimes the best strategy is the simplest one, though. NFL teams routinely out-think themselves in the draft and wind up missing out on generational talents. While the Panthers have a lot of roster holes to fill, there’s always a strong argument for taking the best athlete on the board, regardless of where he plays.
