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Carolina Panthers: List of 2017 NFL Draft picks

By John Buhler

Dec 11, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera on the sidelines in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera on the sidelines in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Carolina Panthers will have eight picks to get better in the 2017 NFL Draft. Here’s when they’re picking and what they could do with those selections.

2016 was a regrettable year for the Carolina Panthers. They were nine wins worse than they were in 2015, going from the NFC Champions to a fourth-place finish at 6-10. The Panthers have obvious talent across their football team, but a slight pivot could be in the best interest for the club.

Carolina will have eight picks in the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft to hopefully get better. The Panthers have a franchise quarterback in Cam Newton and several other players that play at a Pro Bowl level across the gridiron. Here’s when Carolina is picking in the upcoming draft and what they could with these eight picks.

Round 1 – 8th overall
Round 2 – 40th overall
Round 2 – 64th overall
Round 3 – 98th overall
Round 4 – 115th overall
Round 5 – 152nd overall
Round 6 – 192nd overall
Round 7 – 233rd overall

After a few years in the dog house, the running back position has come back in vogue in the NFL. Jonathan Stewart is a nice player, but he’s rarely healthy. Carolina’s offense is only as good as its ground game allows it to be. This is because Newton is never going to become a precision passer from the pocket. A reliable ground game will open up some throwing lanes for the former NFL MVP.

Carolina could very well go with a running back in the top-10. If Carolina wants to trade back a tad and get the guy it wants in the teens, more power to Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman. This isn’t his first NFL Draft he’s had to navigate.

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Getting some more firepower in the secondary would be advantageous for Ron Rivera’s defense. Frankly, the Panthers probably need to go linebacker at some point as well. Thomas Davis isn’t going to play forever. Luke Kuechly’s struggles with concussions have been well-documented and could bring his promising NFL career to an end before he exits his prime.

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