NFL Draft 2018: Carolina Panthers 7-round mock
By Joe Romano
Round 5 – Pick 161
Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama
Carolina let Johnathan Stewart go early this offseason. They also drafted Christian McCaffrey in the first round a year ago. Running back is not a big area of need. However, having depth at the position and a player that can play on the field with McCaffrey’s receiving abiltiy would add another level to this offenese.
Alabama’s Bo Scarbrough would make sense as a power back to compliment McCaffrey. He could be what Mike Tolbert once was for this offense as a chance of pace and short yardage back. Scarbrough is a special athlete for his size. The question will be if he has the change of direction ability to be anything more than a short yardage back. He’s not the level of athlete Derrick Henry could be but at the least he is a poor man’s version.
Round 6 – Pick 197
Tony Brown, CB, Alabama
As early stated, the Panthers need an injection of talent in the secondary. Tony Brown of Alabama has the athletic tools to be a special player. Right now is a raw athlete that will need technique refinement. You can’t teach the level of speed and pursuit that he brings to a field. At 6-feet he posses great size for the position as well.
Brown is not afraid to mix it up in the run game which would make him an ideal nickle back. There is also talk that he can be a safety at the next level. With him and Jordan Whitehead in the mix Carolina would have two excellent athletes that can find their home somewhere along their back line.
Round 7 – Pick 234
Chase Litton, QB, Marshall
Back-up quarterback is the most underappreciated position in the NFL. Right now Cam Newton is backed up by Derek Anderson who turns 35 soon and entering his 14th season. Grabbing a late round developmental prospect could be a priority. In this draft there are very few quarterbacks with starter potential that will go on day three.
A personal favorite is Chase Litton of Marshall. Litton is a 6-foot-6 quarterback with great arm talent. He lacks polish as a passer and makes bad decision. As a runner/mover he is probably around the level of Anderson who’s more than ten years his senior. He’s not the ideal back-up for Newton but possesses enough arm strength and talent to entice a team late in the draft.
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Round 7 – Pick 242
Bilal Nichols, DT, Delaware
One of the deepest positions in the draft is defensive tackle. That also happens to be the deepest position on the Panthers. Grabbing a depth player with eyes to replace any of the current players that outgrow their salary makes sense. Bilal Nichols is a small school player that has potential at the next level. He shows good pad level and an excellent motor. Despite playing at Delaware he has NFL size and traits. Nichols will need technique work at the next level and is likely a career back-up.