Fanduel
Log In
The Duel

Bold Predictions for the Panthers Heading into the NFL Draft

By michael obermuller

All eyes in Carolina will be on team builder Matt Rhule this weekend after these bold predictions for the Panthers 2020 NFL Draft..
All eyes in Carolina will be on team builder Matt Rhule this weekend after these bold predictions for the Panthers 2020 NFL Draft.. / Alika Jenner/Getty Images
facebooktwitterreddit

The Matt Rhule changing of the guards at head coach has had the usual NFL effect for the Carolina Panthers, a full house cleaning that focused on getting younger at every position. Now this 2020 NFL Draft becomes paramount to Rhule's future, the one he's sculpting already.

With the No. 7 overall pick in the first round, and eight picks total, the Panthers have a lot to accomplish. That first pick is especially important. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons and defensive tackle Derrick Brown have been linked to Carolina in mocks, after they've tore down their defense this offseason, but here are some bolder predictions for what Rhule might do.

1. Trade Down in Round 1 to Draft QB Jordan Love

Physically, Jordan Love draws comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, but can he correct the rest of his game at the NFL level?
Physically, Jordan Love draws comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, but can he correct the rest of his game at the NFL level? / Grant Halverson/Getty Images

The Panthers signed Teddy Bridgewater to be their starter in 2020 and beyond, but as we've seen in the past, some head coaches like to have more than one bullet in the chamber being that their coaching career rides on these types of decisions. Jordan Love is similar enough to Bridgewater that you wouldn't have to adjust the offense, and he has way more upside potential. If Rhule can get a haul of picks to trade down, he'll have more room for error to take a chance on Love, one of the most polarizing talents in this years draft.

2. Draft At Least 6 Defensive Players

The Panthers need to replace a long list of veterans on defense, Luke Kuechly chief among them.
The Panthers need to replace a long list of veterans on defense, Luke Kuechly chief among them. / Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

Whether they decide to trade for more draft picks or not, this prediction stands. The Panthers need much more on the defensive side than they do on offense, and this number could go even higher than six if more picks are acquired. The secondary and the defensive line are especially thin, but don't forget that the Panthers also have to replace defensive captain Luke Kuechly in the middle, along with stars like James Bradberry and Gerald McCoy. If Rhule goes quarterback in the first or feels the need to improve his offensive line later on, this idea could be toast, but don't be surprised if the Panthers focus on one side of the ball this weekend.

3. Panthers Trade Down Multiple Times

Curtis Samuel has had his name come up in trade rumors this week.
Curtis Samuel has had his name come up in trade rumors this week. / Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Matt Rhule will trade down not only once, but twice, in this draft to acquire more draft capital (maybe even three times). In fact, the Panthers could make at least three trades total this weekend, which is a relatively high number in the draft. The main goal will be to get more picks, but Carolina may also look to get rid of one or two more veterans that do not fit into their plans. Slot receiver Curtis Samuel is a name to watch in that regard.



Bet the Draft, get a Bonus! Place $25+ in total wagers on the 2020 NFL Draft and earn up to $50 in Bonus.


Michael Obermuller is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Michael Obermuller also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username king_mizzard. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.