As everyone knows, the 2015 NFL Draft has come to a close, and Last Word On Sports continues its series on the 2015 NFL Draft here. Today, the Carolina Panthers are under the microscope. Here’s who they selected:
First Round, 25th Overall – LB Shaq Thompson (Washington)
Second Round, 41st Overall – WR Devin Funchess (Michigan)
Fourth Round, 102nd Overall – OT Daryl Williams (Oklahoma)
Fifth Round, 169th Overall – LB David Mayo (Texas State)
Fifth Round, 174th Overall – RB Cameron Artis-Payne (Auburn)
Carolina Panthers 2015 NFL Draft Review
Best Player: Devin Funchess
Devin Funchess is the best of the bunch from this Carolina draft class. With his 6’4″ body, Funchess will beat corners over the top and win jump-balls with ease. Considering they have another big-bodied target in Kelvin Benjamin, the Panthers will cause mismatch nightmares for opposing defenses in the passing game. The Funchess pick was indeed an excellent one, despite the cost of moving up.
The Head-Scratcher: Shaq Thompson
The Shaq Thompson selection surprised a lot of analysts on Day 1 of the draft. Despite having superb athleticism and experience as a two-way player, Carolina could’ve went without this pick. Thompson’s versatility makes him an intriguing figure, but his 6’0″, 228-pound frame makes him a significantly undersized linebacker. If he doesn’t bulk up or if he isn’t used efficiently, blockers will have a field day against him.
The Surprise: David Mayo
Shaq Thompson can definitely be placed in this surprise category, but I’ll give David Mayo the title. The Mayo pick is not a large issue since he will be play alongside Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis as another tackling machine. Just like Thompson, however, Mayo was someone the Panthers didn’t desperately need.
The Steal: Cameron Artis-Payne
Cameron Artis-Payne being available in the fifth round was a gift for Carolina. Not only does Artis-Payne have top-end speed, he is an excellent inside rusher between the tackles for his small stature. He is an instant upgrade over DeAngelo Williams and he’ll share the Panthers backfield with Jonathan Stewart for the future.
Most Likely to Turn Heads in Camp: The Field
Carolina may boast one of the more intriguing classes from this year’s draft. With athletes across the board, the Panthers will have flexibility in how they will utilize their new talent. With already-established starters at the wide receiver, linebacker and running back positions, this collection of rookies can potentially have smooth and successful transitions at the next level.
The Rest
Daryl Williams was another smart move by the Panthers, as they addressed another offensive need. He will most likely fill the large void at left tackle, but Williams’ versatility allows him to play guard as well, making him a valuable piece moving forward.
The Bottom Line
The Carolina Panthers enjoyed a productive draft weekend. Overall, they made solid picks to improve their depth at multiple key positions. They overloaded on the defensive side just a bit, but their key selections on offense keeps their grade afloat.
Panthers 2015 Draft Grade: 8.5/10
Check out our other draft reviews here.
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