Sorry for not posting updates on the Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers the past few weeks been caught up with college and some family issues so I do apologize. I’m going to try to catch up really quick before I get into my final draft predictions for the Carolina Panthers. The Charlotte Hornets did not make the playoffs (shocking) and finished with a 36-46 record, 11th in Eastern Conference. The Hornets did pick up the 2017-18 option on general manager Rich Cho’s contract, giving him one last chance to prove that he’s a worth sticking with and get the Hornets into the playoffs next seasons. Carolina Panthers schedule was release where you can check it out here (http://www.panthers.com/schedule/schedule.html ). Carolina Panthers starting guard Andrew Norwell, center Tyler Larsen, and punter Michael Palardy has signed restricted Free-Agent tenders to be under contract for the 2017 season. Finally, Kawann Short, one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive tackles has signed a five-year 80-million-dollar contract to keep him a Panther through the 2021 season.
Now since I got that out of the way, let’s get into my last draft predictions for the Panthers before the NFL draft Thursday night! CBS Sports.com, FoxSports.com, NFL.com all have the Panthers Drafting Running back Christian McCaffrey from Stanford University with the eighth pick in the draft. The overview of McCaffrey is he rushed for 1,639 yards last season at Stanford and was first-team All PAC-12. He didn’t play in last season bowl game due to injury concerns. He’s best year at Stanford was when he was a Sophomore, an all-American, Heisman Trophy finalist and set the NCAA record with 3,864 all-purpose yards. He’s strengths are that he is a smooth, controlled stride length with choppy feet for instant cuts and change of directions. Has good vision with above average feel for opening creases; protects the football well while running through traffic. Excellent hands out of the backfield and can be used as a slot receiver can be a miss-match with linebackers and a capable punt and kickoff returner. He weaknesses are that he lacks desired size of an every-down back, benefitted from a physical downhill offensive line and is not a good blocker. Doesn’t have the power to break through tackles in the NFL and he’s average burst may not be enough to race past NFL speed on the second level.
With the eighth pick in the 2017 NFL draft, Bleacher Report.com has the Carolina Panthers draft Defensive End Jonathan Allen out of Alabama. Allen won 2016 Chuck Bednarik and Bronco Nagurski awards as nation’s top defender. He was first-team All-SEC following an excellent junior year where he finished seconds in the SEC with 12 sacks. Jonathan Allen strengths are he is technically proficient in all phases, can play outside and inside and quick off the ball. Has the excellent athletic ability and consistent put pressure on the quarterback and was alert against the run at Alabama. He was a vocal leader at Alabama also. Weaknesses are that he lacks height (6’3”) teams look for from a Defensive End, not built to take on double-team blocks. If he’s move inside could require him to bulk more. Allen doesn’t possess lateral quickness and twitches to contain speedy running back from getting to the corner when he playing defensive end.
Finally, Sports Illustrated.com has the Panthers drafting running back Leonard Fournette from LSU with the eighth pick in the NFL draft. Leonard Fournette from LSU. Coming out of high school Leonard Fournette was the number one recruit in the nation and decided to stay home and play for LSU. As a true freshman, he led SEC in all-purpose yards (137.4 per game; 1,034 rushing yards and 625 on kickoff returns). He followed that up his Sophomore year with nearly hitting the 2,000-yard mark (1,953) and scoring 22 touchdowns. But before his junior year, he suffered an ankle injury, which limited him to play seven games and skipping LSU bowl game. Fournette strengths are; he’s built like a linebacker with speed of a receiver. Long, powerful strides that hit second gear faster than most big backs. Has balance and power to plow through tackle attempts and with a punishing stiff arm. Has experience running from two-back, single-back, and off-set looks. Hands are adequate in the passing game. Can create for himself with power and speed. Wins in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Leonard Fournette weaknesses are aggressive, take on style could lead to shortened career. Struggled with a bad ankle for most of the season. Too quick to hit the accelerator and slam into defenders when there are still cuts and yards left on the play. Doesn't see cutback lanes developing as outside zone runner and prefers to keep runs play-side. Pass protection and routes need extensive work.
Out of those three players, I would have to say I would want the Panthers to draft Christian McCaffrey because if the Panthers do draft him, that would basically let the, draft three positions that you need in one. Panthers could put McCaffrey at running back for first and second down and then slide him to slot receiver for third down since he has such good hands. Then you put him as kickoff/punt returner since he had 1,070 yards on kickoff returns in one season at Stanford. McCaffrey can fill three positions needs the Panthers need badly. But, it would not surprise me if David Gettleman drafts Jonathan Allen or another Defensive End with the eighth pick because the Panthers Defensive ends are old (Charles Johnson and Julies Peppers) and Gettleman loves to draft defense early in the draft. I don’t believe Fournette will drop to the Panthers, he will get drafted by Jacksonville with the fourth pick. But what do you think the Panthers will do Thursday at the draft? Will they draft McCaffrey? Defensive End? Or some random player no one expected them to draft? Tell me in the comment section below! And I will be posting new articles on who the Panthers draft in each round of this year draft, so look-out for in the upcoming days!
