Panthers select Polite 5th overall; find depth in 2019 draft

by Crimsion | 7 years ago | 0 Comments

Finishing the season with a 6-10 record the Carolina Panthers went into the draft with the luxury of a top 5 selection.

They came out of 2018 with a few needs to fulfill and although they didn't have the cap room to do so in free agency they did have a slew of early round draft picks at their disposal.

Here's how the Carolina Panthers 2019 SFL Draft went down:

Round 1 - MLB - Ronnie Polite - 6'2" - 22 - 242lbs - Wisconsin

Dubbed "Not So Polite" by Buffalo Bills head coach LB, the 22-year old Wisconsin product found himself a home in Carolina where his play will likely be noticed right away. This past off-season the Panthers saw Thomas Davis Sr. hang up his cleats and Polite will be expected to fill some big shoes when the 2019 season kicks off.

Round 2 - MLB - Deshun Taylor - 6'0" - 22 - 252lbs - Alabama

The Panthers gained some much needed linebacker depth here with the selection of Taylor. He may not get many reps his rookie season but he'll be thrown into the fire when the likes of Thompson, Kuechly or Polite need a breather.

Round 2 - TE - Trey Colvin - 6'4" - 24 - 255lbs - Texas A&M

Colvin is an unproven talent but Carolina saw something in him to pick him here late in the 2nd round. He'll sit behind one of the best TEs in the league and isn't in a bad position to figure out what kind of player he is during his rookie season. The 24-year old out of Texas A&M may find himself blocking most of the time, but he does have the ability to catch a pass here and there.

Rounds 2 - CB - Miles Wade - 6'0" - 24 - 185lbs - Ohio

Although he came into the draft listed as a CB, the Panthers will likely change Wade's assignment and ask him to play Safety, a position in which they lack depth. His talent is raw and he could use some work on the recognition end of things, but he could bring some boom and big playmaking ability to this team as a SS.

Round 3 - HB - Henry Cates - 6'1" - 22 - 228lbs - Texas A&M

Carolina brings together two Texas A&M teammates with the selection of Henry Cates. Johnathan Stewart is fighting a losing battle with father time and the Panthers may have found his replacement with Cates.

He may not find himself a big part of this offense in 2019, but could be useful to spell McCaffery when Stewart is gassed and also around the goal line.

Round 5 - SS - Steven Barry - 5'10" - 23 - 201lbs - FAU

When it came to stopping any passing attack in 2018 the Panthers were one of the worst in the league, so this selection of Barry isn't surprising. Carolina doesn't have a for sure starter at either safety position so Barry will be thrown into a fierce competition with Kurt Coleman, former 1st round pick Darrian Mullins and fellow draftee Miles Wade. Barry has to hope that his speed can set him apart from the rest.

Round 7 - C - Garrett Livingston - 6'1" - 22 - 304lbs - North Carolina

Fortunately for Livingston he's used to the surroundings in Carolina as he'll be sticking around a while longer. The Panthers liked what they saw in this young lineman and he may even make a push to start over the longtime Panther Ryan Kalil. Even if Livingston doesn't secure the job for his rookie year, he'll surely be front and centre come 2020.