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2020 NFL mock draft first round and fantasy impacts

By Raju Byfield

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Former NFL quarterback Chad Pennington stands alongside quarterbacks Justin Herbert of Oregon, Joe Burrow of LSU and Jacob Eason of Washington during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Former NFL quarterback Chad Pennington stands alongside quarterbacks Justin Herbert of Oregon, Joe Burrow of LSU and Jacob Eason of Washington during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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2020 NFL Mock Draft
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 30: Andrew Thomas #71 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrate’s following the Georgia Bulldogs win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 52-7 at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

7th Overall: Carolina Panthers – Andrew Thomas (LT – Georgia)

Team Needs
Offensive Line, Cornerback, Quarterback, Wide Receiver, Running Back

Picks: 7 (1st), 38 (2nd), 69 (3rd), 113 (4th), 153 (5th), 184 (6th), 222 (7th)

The Panthers drafted left tackle Greg Little just last season, but Andrew Thomas has Pro Bowl written all over him, and will be an immediate starter. Little and Thomas on the ends would give Carolina building blocks of one of the best offensive lines in the league, but if Little does not work out, the Panthers will still have secured a franchise left tackle. With Luke Keuchley’s sudden retirement fresh on the mind, middle linebacker is likely to be a popular mock selection for the Panthers in the first round.

Kenneth Murray would be more of a target if Carolina decided to trade down from seventh overall as, despite his obvious talent, with so much talent on the board, he is not a value at seventh overall. Isaiah Simmons will also be considered here and is more worthy of being selected with the seventh overall pick. However, the Panthers can find a starting middle linebacker with their second round pick, and would be better served addressing the major need at offensive tackle. The Trai Turner deal suggests that Little may now be moved to the inside with Russell Okung on one of the edges, leaving Thomas to start at left tackle.

Team Impact

As mentioned above, the Carolina Panthers are making some wholesale changes to the offensive line this offseason. It started with the shocking trade of Trai Turner for the long in the tooth Russell Okung, and now there are reports that the Panthers are already considering moving Greg Little to guard. Andrew Thomas would finally give the Panthers at left tackle. He is more advanced as a run blocker than he is in pass protection, but is still the best pass blocking true left tackle prospect with a first round grade.

Fantasy Impact

Thomas will provide a boost to both the run and passing games for the Carolina Panthers. Finding a way to strengthen pass protection will be an offseason theme for a team that will be looking to place a greater emphasis on the passing game in 2020. Whether it is Cam Newton or someone else under center, adding someone like Thomas will major boost to keep the pressure rate against low. He will also provide a major boost for Christian McCaffrey and the Panthers rushing attack.

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