Carolina Panthers full 2016 NFL Draft picks
We have the full list of who the Carolina Panthers selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Here is who General Manager David Gettleman selected:
- Round 1, (30), Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
- Round 2, (62), James Bradberry, CB, Samford
- Round 3, (77), Daryl Worley, CB, West Virginia
- Round 5, (141), Zack Sanchez, CB, Oklahoma
- Round 7, (252), Beau Sandland, TE, Montana State
Do you think the Panthers were planning to move on from Josh Norman? Cornerback was going to be a bit of a need for the Panthers even with Norman, and without him the Panthers decided to load up on their favorite prospects at the position in hopes that at the very least they get one starter. Bradberry, Worley and Sanchez all have different sizes, roles and stories as to how they got to their draft point, and the competition between the three will be fun to watch.
The Panthers also did what they always seem to do since hiring Gettleman which is draft defensive linemen. Butler is raw in his abilities, but has the upside to be one of the most disruptive interior defensive lineman in the NFL draft. Putting him in an environment with Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short gives him the ability to grow into a stud of a defender like his two predecessors.
Overall, you might have liked for the Panthers to spread at least one of the mid-round draft picks to a position other than cornerback, but given the recent loss of a star corner, they did not want to risk missing on a potential replacement they liked, and you cannot blame them for that.
For more NFL Draft news, be sure to check out our NFL Draft hub page.