2019 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Super Bowl 53 edition
By Randy Gurzi
16. Carolina Panthers: Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss
The big issue this offseason for the Carolina Panthers is going to be the health of Cam Newton. They have some good pieces around him, but this team goes as he does. Which is why it’s so concerning that a shoulder injury limited him down the stretch — and could cost him more time according to owner David Tepper.
"“If you told me he took a year off and could recover and be fully recovered and everything else, and that’s what it took, an extra year, why wouldn’t you do [that]?” Tepper said via David Newton of ESPN. “Now, we would have to do other things, right? We’d have to go out and get another quarterback. If you could find me some more cap space, I’d appreciate that.”"
So while they have to decide what to do with Newton going forward, Carolina also needs to figure out ways to keep him healthy whenever he does get back on the field. Some of that falls on Newton, who is a hard-running quarterback. He may have to adapt his style of play to limit the hits he takes. But some is still on the team.
Their offensive line struggles and gives up too many hits on Newton. Adding a solid left tackle could at least help slow those shots down, and that’s what they get here with Greg Little from Ole Miss. The 325-pound Little is one of the strongest tackles coming into the draft and, if he can clean up some of his technique issues, he can end up being a perennial Pro Bowl player.