The Carolina Panthers addressed several key roster holes in the 2019 NFL draft, filling out their depth charts at left tackle, EDGE and quarterback.
However, they made a few questionable picks and completely ignored one of their most pressing needs on defense. There are several questions about this class that will have to be answered in the coming months before the regular season starts. Here’s six to keep an eye on as the offseason unfolds.
1. Will Brian Burns’ lack of mass be a problem?
Few picks were better fits for their teams than Burns going to the Panthers at No. 16 overall. His ferocity and array of pass-rushing moves should make him a disruptive force at the next level just as he was at Florida State. The big question about Burns is his lack of mass. At the combine he weighed in at just 249 pounds. Burns has plenty of time to bulk up between now and Week 1, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get stonewalled by some of the more massive offensive linemen in the NFL early on.
2. How much can Greg Little improve as a run blocker?
Trading up for Little in round two was all about improving Cam Newton’s pass protection. Little rarely allowed pressures at Mississippi and should help improve this element of Carolina’s offense. However, as Ron Rivera and Marty Hurney admitted after the pick, he has some work to do as a run blocker. Only three teams had more rushing yards than the Panthers last season and they’re still going to be a relatively run-heavy team. If they can’t effectively rush behind their starting left tackle, it’s obviously going to be a problem.
3. Is Will Grier ready to start if Cam Newton is injured?
Grier projects as the team’s new backup quarterback behind Newton. Ideally, he will have time to develop and grow without having to start anytime soon. However, Newton had to be shut down at the end of last season because of his throwing shoulder and should have been shut down late in 2016 for the same reason. If it happens again, the Panthers are going to need a QB who’s ready to step up and start. Grier looks promising as a developmental/backup passer, but he’ll really be put to the test if he has to spell Cam as a rookie.
4. Can Christian Miller stay healthy?
Landing Miller in the fourth round was a legitimate steal for the Panthers this year. His long arms, high football IQ and ability to set the edge are all promising traits. The question with Miller is if he’ll be able to stay on the field. He missed 10 games in 2017 due to a torn bicep and also suffered a hamstring injury that forced him out of the national title game.
5. Will they regret passing on defensive backs?
Going into the draft, most people expected the team would take a safety at some point, perhaps as early as the second round. It didn’t turn out that way and they wound up passing on DBs entirely. That puts a lot of pressure on the current members of the secondary, most notably Rashaan Gaulden and Ross Cockrell. We have no idea who will play free safety or slot cornerback, which is concerning at this point in the offseason. Donte Jackson and James Bradberry also have to play better on the outside.
6. What is the plan at running back?
Finding a running back who can replicate Christian McCaffrey’s skill set is pretty much next to impossible. However, the Panthers have to find one who is at least capable of catching the ball out of the backfield and not tipping plays as much. Fifth-round selection Jordan Scarlett and undrafted free agent pickup Elijah Holyfield had a combined 22 catches in college, which makes both additions questionable. Carolina has to either add another capable receiving running back between now and the start of the season or just roll with the idea of McCaffrey never coming off the field.
