2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen top first round

By Brad Weiss | Sep 6, 2017

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 19: USC (14) Sam Darnold (QB) passes the ball during an NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins on November 19, 2016, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. USC defeated UCLA 36-14. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand (9) in action during the 2017 College Football National Championship Game between the Clemson Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide on January 9, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. Clemson defeated Alabama 35-31. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Da'Shawn Hand

Defensive End, Alabama

The Carolina Panthers were the darling of the NFL back in 2015, as they played their way into a matchup with the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50. However, it has been all down hill since the kickoff of that game, that saw the Panthers handled pretty soundly by the Broncos. Quarterback Cam Newton has struggled to stay healthy since then, but appears poised for a bounce-back season in 2017.

This past April, the Panthers spent their first round pick on a shifty running back from Stanford. Christian McCaffrey could prove to be a steal, as he really turned heads this Summer. While the team went offense with their first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, they should look to bolster their defense in 2018, and picking a stud from Alabama is always a good choice.

That player could be Da’Shawn Hand, who has the ability to be an elite pass rusher at the next level. This offseason, the Panthers went out and brought back veteran Julius Peppers, though who knows how many good seasons he has left in him. Bringing in a guy like Hand would give the team great depth at defensive end, which they need in a very tough NFC South.

As stated earlier, the NFC South has some of the best quarterbacks in the league, and the division has represented the NFC in the Super Bowl the last two seasons. Hand would fit right in with the defensive scheme in Carolina, and being able to rush the quarterback consistently could put the Panthers back atop the division. They took a major step back in 2016, but the roster is loaded, and they could end up picking even later than No. 19 if Newton bounces back.

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