With all the drama surrounding the release of former MVP quarterback Cam Newton, the Carolina Panthers still have to focus on their very pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. After finishing 5-11 last season, Carolina currently holds the No. 7 pick in April's draft and with that, have a long list of possible future Panthers to choose from.
Looking at the team's biggest needs: cornerback, offensive line, defensive line and linebacker, certainly helps narrow the long list of prospects. Prospects like Auburn's Derrick Brown, Clemson's Isaiah Simmons and Ohio State's Jeff Okudah are the most popular picks for Carolina in the majority of mocks so let's take a look at the trio and predict.
First, Okudah, a big 6-foot-1 corner out of Ohio State is widely considered the best player at his position. For that reason, I'm not too confident that Okudah will fall to Carolina at No. 7 but if he does, the pick is a no-brainer.
An excellent athlete with elite physical tools, Okudah has all the markings of a future All-Pro corner in the NFL and would be perfect for the Panthers after they lost James Bradberry to the New York Giants this offseason.
Second, Clemson's Isaiah Simmons is perhaps the most versatile player in the draft. Similar to current Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson in college, Simmons is capable of playing a multitude of positions on defense including linebacker and safety.
At 6-foot-4 and 230-pounds with a blazing fast 4.39 forty-yard-dash, Simmons has flown up draft boards in recent months and it's easy to see why.
Playing for one of the best teams in the country in Clemson, Simmons recorded 104 tackles. 16.5 tackles for a loss, eight sacks and three interceptions.
Simmons is the do-it-all prospect that the Panthers desperately need after All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly's early retirement.
Last but certainly not least, Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown is often lauded as one of the most NFL-ready prospects in the 2020 class. Absolutely dominant in his senior year on The Plains despite facing constant double and triple teams, Brown looks to be a dominant force in the middle for any team that drafts him.
A big, 6-foot-5, 326-pound frame coupled with incredible explosiveness off the block and a motor that doesn't quit makes Brown a near-surefire top 10 pick.
With Carolina getting rid of Dontari Poe, Gerald McCoy and Vernon Butler this offseason, a Brown/Carolina selection just makes sense. New defensive coordinator Phil Snow will be looking for a centerpiece to anchor the defense in his first season and Brown looks like he can be that guy.
As a result, if I had to pick, I'm going with the Auburn defensive tackle, a relatively safe but nonetheless smart pick for a new Carolina coaching staff.
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