Brandin Cooks, Marqise Lee top WR targets for Carolina Panthers
Brandin Cooks (13) catches the ball during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Panthers desperately need to add a high-impact player at offensive tackle or wide receiver after losing Steve Smith, Jordan Gross, Brandon LaFell, and Ted Ginn Jr. this past offseason, and they have a great opportunity to add a star talent at the wide receiver position. Offensive tackle is a bit of a crapshoot unless if someone like Taylor Lewan or Zack Martin takes a surprising tumble, as drafting a guy like Cyrus Kouandjio (he’s very good but has significant injury questions) or Morgan Moses is a bit of a risk. OT is the bigger need for the Panthers, but wide receiver is also a massive need and the WRs available at 28 will most likely be better than the offensive tackles.
Draft insider Tony Pauline reports that while the Panthers are once again working out former Fresno State standout Davante Adams, their top two targets at the wide receiver position are the Pac-12 duo of Brandin Cooks and Marqise Lee. Both are projected top-25 picks and while it’s possible that one of them could slide into the Panthers hands, I doubt Dave Gettleman will be that lucky.
Cooks reminds some people of Steve Smith and has stated that he looks up to the former Panthers legend, and there’s no doubt that he’s a very good prospect with ridiculous playmaking ability. But despite his drops and injury concerns, Lee is a superior prospect due to his athleticism, catch radius, smooth route-running, and long speed. Lee is a very flexible player who had a Sammy Watkins-type season in 2012 before falling last year, and either him or Cooks would be dream picks for the Panthers.