The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine is over with and we now have a much more complete picture of what this draft class is all about. In our latest seven-round mock, the Panthers trade down twice in order to fill as many roster holes as possible. Here’s how it played out.
No. 7: Trade with Colts. Panthers acquire picks No. 13, 44 and 142.
No. 13: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
With so many holes to fill on their roster, the Panthers simply need to trade down to acquire more draft capital. It’s a hard pill to swallow with guys like Derrick Brown, Jeff Okudah, and Isaiah Simmons possibly on the board at seven, but it’s a move that will help the team get through this rebuild much quicker. By trading back to No. 13 with a team like the Colts (four picks in the top three rounds), they acquire another top-50 pick and fifth-rounder along the way. Here, Carolina gets a stud defensive tackle prospect that will pair nicely with Kawaan Short to help stop the run and generate pressure up the middle for years to come.
No. 38: Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
With their first second-round pick the Panthers get a tough, physical cornerback. Arnette is sticky in coverage, has top-notch ball skills, and is tremendous playing in press coverage. Because this 2020 cornerback class is so deep and because of Arnette’s mediocre showing at the scouting combine causing him to slide a bit, the Panthers are able to grab a potential No. 1 corner option outside of the first round.
No. 44: Lloyd Cushenberry III, OL, LSU
By picking up an extra second-round pick from the Colts, the Panthers get an absolute steal here with one of the best interior offensive linemen in this draft class. Cushenberry is extremely versatile and can play either guard position or center. He is a mauler in the run game, has great technical refinement in his pass sets, powerful hand usage and is a brick wall in pass protection. He would be an immediate upgrade over the beloved Greg Van Roten at left guard or eventually replace Matt Paradis at center.
No. 69: Trade with Raiders. Panthers acquire picks No. 80 and 111.
No. 80: Jonathan Greenard, DE, Florida
With Mario Addison, Gerald McCoy, and Bruce Irvin all expected to hit free agency, Carolina needs to replace the talent that will be walking out the door. Obviously Brian Burns will nail down one side, but the Panthers will have to find a complementary EDGE to pair with him. Christian Miller and Efe Obada should get some looks, but Greenard is much more physical and a more effective pass rusher. He is versatile in any defensive scheme and would be a tremendous value pick at this spot.
No. 103: Van Jefferson, WR, Florida
Jefferson is one of my favorite players in this class. He is a masterful route runner and has tremendous hands. His father, Shawn Jefferson, is the wide receivers coach for the Jets, so Van has been taught the art of pass catching and route running his whole life. Jefferson would step right into the slot receiver role and be a short yardage weapon in Joe Brady’s offense.
No. 111: Evan Weaver, LB, Cal
Shaq Thompson and Jermaine Carter are two solid options for Phil Snow to utilize at linebacker after the retirement of Luke Kuechly. However, the Panthers will need at least one more to play Mike linebacker when Thompson matches up elsewhere. Weaver is a great tackler in space, plays downhill and racked up 336 tackles over his final two years at Cal. He’s exactly the type of defender that Carolina can count on in early down situations to stop the run.
No. 134: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
The Panthers double dip here and grab the big-bodied wide receiver they so desperately need. Pittman measured in at 6-foot-4, 223 pounds at the combine. He has great ball skills and can go up and snatch the ball away from any defensive back he faces. Let’s not forget that Joe Brady’s offense almost always operates out of a three or four wide receiver set, so adding Pittman alongside Jefferson, Moore, and Samuel would complete the rotation.
No. 142: James Lynch, DL, Baylor
Lynch was a leader for Matt Rhule’s defense at Baylor for the past three seasons, so there is reason to believe that Rhule is very fond of him. Lynch is a versatile defensive lineman that the Panthers could utilize all across their multiple front. He wouldn’t be an immediate starter but would add great depth to the defensive line, which is what late-round picks are all about.
No. 164: Antoine Brooks Jr., S, Maryland
Brooks is an extremely versatile defensive back who needs some polishing but has all the physical tools to succeed at the next level. Brooks can line up at single high safety, box safety, nickel corner, or as a sub package linebacker. Matt Rhule went after prototype players and trusted his staff’s coaching ability at Baylor and it worked out pretty well for him there. We should expect him to do the same in Carolina and Brooks would make a perfect fit.
No. 198: Jacob Breeland, TE, Oregon
Many analysts expect Carolina to take a tight end in the early stages of the draft following the departure of Greg Olsen. However, the truth is that this tight end class is simply not good and there is no reason to waste a top pick on one of them. Breeland has solid hands and is serviceable in both blocking and receiving. He would add depth as a No. 3 tight end if general manager Marty Hurney signs someone like Eric Ebron or Austin Hooper in free agency to pair with Ian Thomas.
