NFL Draft 2018: Carolina Panthers 7-round mock
By Joe Romano
Round 3 – Pick 85
Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado State
The Panthers need a wide receiver opposite Devin Funchess. Kelvin Benjamin was dealt to the Buffalo Bills opening up a hole on the outside. Funchess had a breakout season a year ago and is the team’s top option at receiver. Cam Newton was able to make it work with Funchess, and essentially a slot receiver in Christian McCaffrey a year ago. He has a chance to get back to MVP form with another weapon added to this offense.
Michael Gallup fits the mold of what Carolina is looking for. The 6-foot-1 receiver was an ultra productive player at Colorado State. He was close to declaring a year ago but came back to school and it paid off. In the extra year Gallup showed a more nuanced route tree. His ability to seperate will get questioned but he has excellent agility despite being a taller receiver.
Opposite Funchess, Gallup would give Cam Newton two big bodied players on the outside. With last year’s rookies Curtis Samuel and Chrisitan McCaffrey running the inside routes it would let the outside tandem work their strengths. The Panthers do not shy away from a player who may run slower, as some expect of Gallup. His ability to bring in tough balls and make plays after the catch will be enticing especially in the third round.