2019 NFL Mock Draft: Kinnan’s final first-round projection

The Carolina Panthers must protect Cam Newton at all costs moving forward; this cannot be put off any longer. Their franchise quarterback has taken a beating over the last three years since winning the MVP award in 2015 and now, after needing shoulder surgery, it appears that his health is finally paying the price.

Good news for Carolina fans is it finally appears the Panthers are ready to make changes in order to protect Newton and give their team the best chance at victory. They have already cut left tackle Matt Kalil, even at the cost of a handful of dead money, and the next move for them to make would be to draft the best pass blocking tackle in the class: Andre Dillard.

Washington State’s Dillard has been on the rise ever since his performance at the Senior Bowl, and he carried his momentum into the combine where he tested as one of the most athletically gifted tackles in the class. After measuring in at 6-5 and 315 pounds, Dillard went on to test in the 89th percentile or above in the 3-cone drill, the 20-yard shuttle, the broad jump and the 40-yard dash.

While Dillard may need some coaching up on his run blocking, the Panthers prefer to play on the boundary with speedsters D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel and Christian McCaffrey all taking quick hits or deep shots from Newton. Dillard is the perfect tackle for the offensive system Carolina runs and becomes the third offensive lineman off of the board here.