Carolina Panthers: What Are The Biggest Draft Concerns?

The Carolina Panthers need to answer some key questions in the draft.

The NFL Draft is an exciting spectacle every year. Fans wait with baited breath to see who will become the newest weapon on either side of the ball with hopes he becomes an immediate impact on the field. The Carolina Panthers have a sought roster, but clear holes that need addressing. Looking forward to this weekend’s festivities, here are the most important gaps within the Panthers’ roster that can be addressed in the seven-round draft.

Cornerback

Losing Josh Norman to free agency is one of the biggest stories following the Carolina Panthers this off-season. Norman is a big part of the Panthers’ recent success and he fought a losing battle to obtain a long-term deal with the Panthers. GM David Gettleman made the decision to remove the franchise tag from Norman which resulted in him becoming a Washington Redskin. Now, the Panthers must address this concern.

There are two individuals who continue to come up in draft conversations: William Jackson and Mackensie Alexander are two big prospects that may be floating around on the board early in the draft. Jackson is widely considered one of the best defensive backs in the draft and Alexander is a viable alternative. The current Panthers defensive back group is not as solid as the organization would like and both of these players are options to fill this space in the coming year.

Defensive End

Defensive end is an important position for Carolina. The team applies pressure to opposing offenses in a way that creates opportunities for defensive backs such as Norman to capitalize and make big plays. The return of Charles Johnson and Kawann Short as a 1-2 punch, along with Kony Ealy and Star Lotulelei keeps one of the best defensive fronts intact. However, that unit will not keep Carolina from drafting a player that adds some much needed depth on the defensive line.