Panthers select LB Fisher McElroy in 1st; revamp defense in 2019 draft

by Crimsion | 8 years ago | 1 Comments

Over the course of the 2018 campaign the Carolina Panthers found themselves slacking on both sides of the ball. The offensive unit was unable to generate a solid run game, but with their acqisition of former Buffalo Bill, Thurman Thomas, the Panthers look set to makea change there.

Carolina mainly found themselves struggling on the defensive, unable to keep Quarterbacks contained or even take them to the ground. A big part of their pass rush was handed his walking papers this off-season with long tenured Panther, Charles Johnson, finding a new home.

In an effort to revamp their defense and put fear into the hearts of offenses alike the Panthers stacked their 2019 draft heavily on defense.

Round 1 (Pick 14) - MLB - Fisher McElroy - 5'11" - 246lbs - 23 Years Old - Florida State

The Panthers found themselves slacking in the linebacker departmemt this past season when starting MLB Luke Kuechly suffered a torn pectoral. Shaq Thompson served as the teams defensive QB, but for no longer. 

Carolina has patched a major hole with the selection of Fisher McElroy, a speedy and hard hitting backer out of Florida State. Although McElroy played primarly in the middle of the field during his college days, he'll likely draw the start on either side of Kuechly when the 2019 seasons begins. 

Round 3 (Pick 78) - LOLB - Ashton Walton - 6'5" - 241lbs - 23 Years Old - Kansas

Ashton played in a 3-4 system before coming into this league, and transitioning into the 4-3 of the Panthers may take some time, the 23 year old will have it. Walton will likely walk into a situation where he's required to rush the edge more so than not, which was not a problem for the Kansas product this past season. 

He may not push Kony Ealy or Trey Beriault for snaps early in the season, only time will tell what type of role this young blood may carve out for himself as the season progresses. 

Round 3 (Pick 95) - LE - Pearson Randle - 6'4" - 296lbs - 23 Years Old - Mississippi St.

Much like the pick before him in Walton, Pearson Randle is in no real position to threaten for snaps early on in the year, but he does give Carolina some depth at a position in which they are lacking. 

Randle has proven he is a solid tackler and can find openings that others may not, but he just doesn't possess the strength or finesse to be a solid rusher off the edge just yet. 

Round 4 (Pick 110) - WR - Bruce McCellin - 6'1" - 206lbs - 23 Years Old - Kansas State

With the recent retirement of beloved receiver Tedd Ginn Jr, the Panthers found themselves thin when it came to wide out. Darqueze Cooley is slated to serve as the new slot man in Carolina, but McCellin may be able to find some snaps behind the 3rd year man.

This 6'1" frame may not be too big of a target, but McCellin has solid hands and reproduces the speed that Ginn Jr. once did and can be a vert valid weapon.

Round 4 (Pick 127) - HB - Cordero Pounds - 6'1" - 204lbs - 22 Years Old - Auburn

Carolina seems to have found their man in the backfield in Thurman Thomas but certainly slack depth when it comes to this position, hosting a slew of mid-talent backs who don't possess speed that Pounds bring to the table.

It's likely that Cordero will take a crack at snagging the kick return job, but will need to beat out the likes of wideout Marcu Bingham, who averaged 22.8 yards per return last season.

Round 5 (Pick 142) - C - Nate Coe - 6'3" - 315lbs - 22 Years Old - Mississippi St.

Nate Coe and current Panthers' rookie Pearson Randle are no strangers to one another, battling in practice week in and week out. Coe finds himself in a very solid situation, on a Panthers' squad that desperatly needs depth when it comes to the offensive line.

Coe may be asked to play multiple positions up on the line, from Center to Right Tackle or Guard, but Carolina believes this young man can give them an edge in the trenches. 

Round 5 (Pick 158) - LT - Jared Lake - 6'6" - 309lbs - 22 Years Old - Wisconsin

Lake wasn't a highly touted prospect coming into this years draft, but playing for a top tier program like Wisconsin has its perks. The Panthers took a chance on the tackle and found themselves a solid back up and someone who can produce in a pinch.

Round 6 (Pick 174) - LOLB - DeVonte Kuehl - 6'5" - 255lbs - 23 Years Old - Indiana St.

Sticking with the search for quality pass rushers the Panthers looked to DeVonte Kuehl in the 6th round. He may not be the flashiest pass rusher around, but he'll match up well against bigger tackles with his 6'5 frame. 

Kuehl was fairly known for his strength in college and the Panthers hope it will translate well into the NFL game.

Round 7 - (Pick 206) - RG - Layne Trapasso - 6'3" - 322lbs - 23 Years Old - Texas

Carolina opted to go with experience over raw talent in this final round, selecting Senior tackle Layne Trapasso out of Texas. Trapasso, like Coe, will be moved throughout the line and given the chance to play a handful of snaps his rookie season in the trenches.