Given the salary cap in the NFL, there comes a time when every team basically needs to clear out cap space by moving on players that have been with the team for years. Perhaps it is the first signs of a demise that prompt the move, but more often than not, it is a ballooning salary that leads to a team shipping a player out. The Carolina Panthers spent the offseason clearing out some big names, like Greg Olsen and Cam Newton, while making space for new blood that they believe will help in their rebuilding situation. The Panthers came into the 2020 NFL Draft with some very specific needs, so let’s see if they addressed them with their selections, while also looking at their current odds to win the Super Bowl LV.
NFL Carolina Panthers SB Odds & Analysis After Draft
Round 1
There were an awful lot of flashy picks in the opening round, with quarterbacks and receivers going at a steady rate. The Carolina Panthers steered clear of that trend, though, opting instead to fill a major hole at the defensive tackle position. With the 7th overall pick in the draft, the Panthers went with Derrick Brown out of Auburn. The Panthers were brutal against the run last season, so expect Brown to come in and partially plug that hole.
Round 2
Carolina had the luxury of having two picks to go within the 2nd round. The belief is that the Panther D will revert to a 3-4 next season, so by selecting DE Yetur Gross-Matos, they may well have a guy who can start immediately this coming season. He is a big, physical player who has a chance to dominate in the NFL.
The Panthers were really high on S Jeremy Chinn, which is why they traded away 3rd and 5th round picks to move up and get their man. The beauty of Chinn is that he can play multiple roles, including safety and cornerback, so this looks like a very nice move for the Panthers.
Round 4
One of the standout attributes of a great CB is speed, so the Panthers picked up a potential winner in Troy Pride Jr. Not only was this kid a standout for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on the football field, he was also a 200m start on the track team. The Panthers really seemed to put the focus on defense in this draft, and this looks like a solid selection.
Round 5
It was defense once again for the Carolina Panthers in the 5th round, as they opted to go with S Kenny Robinson out of West Virginia. Robinson also spent some time in the XFL before it folded, so you have to think that the experience there will serve him well coming into the NFL.
Round 6
Carolina coach Matt Rhule dipped into the pool of players coming out of Baylor this season by taking DT Bravvion Roy. This is more of a project pick, but given that Rhule loved Roy during his time as head coach of Baylor, you can be sure that he will get the best out of him.
Round 7
The Panthers set a modern day NFL record by using all of their picks to take defensive players, closing out the draft with CB Stanley Thomas-Oliver III.
Everyone seems to be in agreement that this was a good draft for the Panthers, but they are still a long way off from competing and are in at +10000 to win the Super Bowl.
