Carolina Panthers' Top Needs, Fits for 2015 NFL Draft to Build for the Future

The 2015 NFL draft is just over three weeks away, and the Carolina Panthers find themselves in something of an uncomfortable situation.

Thanks to taking home the NFC South crown and beating the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Wild Card Round, the Panthers sit with the 25th overall pick in the draft, proudly drafting alongside the other playoff teams.  Because of their late-season success down the wire, the 2014 season was one to remember, if not the most successful one the franchise has ever had.

On the other hand, the Panthers only stumbled into the playoffs with a 7-8-1 record.  If you ignored the playoffs and just seeded teams by their records, the Panthers would have the 11th overall pick in the draft, squeezing right between the St. Louis Rams and Minnesota Vikings.  The fact that the NFC South was so bad last season is the difference between the Panthers drafting, say, Iowa tackle Brandon Scherff and Florida tackle D.J. Humphries—a notable drop-off.  In essence, they’re drafting like a team with few needs despite having the holes of a team that wouldn't normally sniff the playoffs.

There’s nothing to be done about that now.  Regardless, making playoff runs is the goal of teams every year, so complaining when it gives you poor draft position is bad form.  The Panthers have a handful of needs of various severity—some need to be handled in the first couple of rounds, while others could wait until the end of the draft.  Here’s a position-by-position look at the top fits the Panthers could go after to be set for the future.

Note that these fits are exclusive of one another—it’s highly unlikely, for example, that the Panthers will be able to add first-round talent at both offensive tackle and wide receiver.  I’ve tried to focus on the highest round the team would consider filling each position, rather than creating a road map for every single pick for every single round.

All round projections courtesy of CBS Sports.

Offensive Tackle

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Pittsburgh's T.J. Clemmings

The addition of Michael Oher in free agency does improve the Panthers’ tackle situation—but only just.  Oher was Pro Football Focus’ 75th-best tackle in 2014 and didn't exactly light up the field in years prior.  He seems to have regressed every year he’s been in the league.  Despite being more comfortable at right tackle, the Panthers plan to use him on the left at first.  One way or another, the Panthers need a long-term answer at the position, making it the most likely use of the 25th overall pick, assuming any of the top prospects drops that far.

Possible Picks

T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh

With Oher penciled in as the left tackle for 2015, the Panthers could go for a player who needs some more time to develop into the role while having a high ceiling, and that fits Clemmings to a T.  Clemmings only moved to offensive tackle in his junior year, coming over from the defensive line.  That means he’s still inexperienced, with gaps in his technique.  He’s a quick learner, though, named first-team All-ACC and second-team All-American in just his second year ever at the position, and he has all the physical tools you would want.

He’s long, athletic, great working in space and powerful.  He can make all the blocks; he just needs a year or two to polish his technique.  He’s probably the best-case scenario in the first round.

Projected Round: 1-2

D.J. Humphries, Florida

If the Panthers go elsewhere with their first pick, they should use their Round 2 selection on a top tackle.  CBS Sports has seven tackles in its top 50, so the odds are that at least one should fall to the 53rd overall pick. If that someone is Humphries, the Panthers should be pleased.  Humphries might be the most athletic tackle in the draft, with good speed off the snap and long arms to fend off pass-rushers.  While CBS Sports gives him a second-round grade, thanks to a history of injuries, don’t be surprised if he ends up as a first-round pick due to his potential. 

Humphries is a Charlotte native, too, and has met with Panthers offensive line coach John Matsko, according to Travis Hancock.  Where there’s smoke, there may be fire.

Projected Round: 2, but don’t be surprised to see him go in the first

Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M

If the Panthers aren’t thrilled with any of the top options in the draft, they could take a flier on Ogbuehi, who tore his ACL in the bowl game against West Virginia.  That’s obviously tanked his draft position somewhat, with CBS Sports projecting him to be a third-round pick at the moment.  He probably won’t be fully able to go until the 2016 season.  When healthy, however, Ogbuehi is gifted, with great athleticism and stamina. 

He also has experience playing both left and right tackle as well as right guard—if he doesn’t work out at one position, he might work out at another.  He’s not someone to grab with the first pick, but if he slips to the third round and the Panthers haven’t already addressed the position, he’s a great option to stash.

Projected Round: 3

Wide Receiver

Kelvin Benjamin should be fine going forward, assuming he continues to develop.  He had some rookie growing pains but showed enough promise and potential for the Panthers to be happy with him as a potential top receiver from here on out.  However, he’s the only top receiver on the Panthers roster; Ted Ginn, Jarrett Boykin and Jerricho Cotchery don't thrill you as second options.  In a deep receiver class, the Panthers could go looking for top targets in back-to-back years.

Possible Picks

Breshad Perriman, Central Florida

If you were watching Perriman’s pro day, you would have been astounded—Perriman ran a 4.25-second 40-yard dash.  While that number should be taken with a grain of salt, due to the different timing methods used there versus the combine, he still has blazing speed.  Add that to his 6’2” frame and ability to gain yards after the catch, and you have a devastating speed weapon.  He’s still raw in the mechanics of the position—route running, working back to the ball and things like that—but his pure physical skills are astounding.

Projected Round: 1-2

Jaelen Strong, Arizona State

If the Panthers would rather have a possession receiver than a speed merchant, Strong would be a better option.  Strong works well out of the slot, tracking the ball in the air and using his great hands to fight for the ball in traffic.  He excelled in taking short routes for big yardage in college, and his 42-inch vertical leap is mighty impressive as well.

He might never become Calvin Johnson, but there’s no reason he can’t be a solid receiver for years to come—he has one of the lowest floors of any of the receivers who might be available when Carolina is on the clock.

Projected Round: 1

Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri

If Green-Beckham had kept his nose clean in college, he might be a top-10 pick.  At 6’5” and 237 pounds with a sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash, great hands and fantastic body control in mid-air, Green-Beckham nearly has it all; in fact, you’d be hard-pressed to draw up a prospect better than Green-Beckham.

He needs to be crisper in his route running and there are work-ethic questions, but from a raw-talent perspective, he might be the best in the class.  However, Green-Beckham was dismissed from Missouri after being subject to burglary and assault investigations, as he allegedly pushed a young woman down several flights of stairs.  He was also arrested several times for marijuana possession. 

If he can get his personal demons under control, he could have a great NFL career.  He could also be the next Josh Gordon and end up washing out of the league.  He’s a super-high-risk, super-high-reward prospect.

Projected Round: 1

Running Back

With DeAngelo Williams gone, the Panthers could use a complementary piece for Jonathan Stewart.  Stewart looked great down the stretch for the Panthers but has a history of streaky play, looking fantastic for a month or so before crashing back down to earth.  Even if Stewart can maintain the form that helped drive the Panthers to the playoffs, the Panthers could definitely use someone to spell him some rest occasionally.

Possible Picks

Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska

In every sense but speed and size, Abdullah is an ideal running back.  Abdullah lit up the combine, finishing as a top performer in both the vertical and broad jumps, the three-cone drill and both the 20- and 60-yard shuttles.  That shows an ability to cut on a dime and the burst needed to take advantage of holes as they appear.  I’m not concerned about his 4.6-second 40-yard dash; he plays faster than that on tape.  I’m more concerned about his 5’9”, 205-pound frame.  Still, his physical talents mean he could have a Warrick Dunn type of career, especially if he can split the load with a second, larger back.

Projected Round: 2

Tevin Coleman, Indiana

Coleman had toe surgery this offseason to repair an injury he suffered during the 2014 season.  That’s about the worst thing you can say about him, because it’s hard to find negatives about a guy who’s median touchdown run was more than 40 yards—he’s a big-play machine waiting to happen.  He’s a violent runner who will run through opposing tacklers and keep going, with no fear whatsoever. 

He also is a great kick returner and has solid hands, having played receiver and cornerback in high school.  If anything, he’s too violent a runner and might need to tone things down to avoid repeated injuries in the pros.  Other than that, he’s golden.

Projected Round: 2

Duke Johnson, Miami (Florida)

Johnson burst onto the radar at the combine, showing great explosiveness and change-of-direction ability.  He’s been compared to LeSean McCoy, Shane Vereen and C.J. Spiller—in other words, he’s not going to live between the tackles, but get him into space and he’s an explosive weapon.  Miami’s all-time leader in all-purpose yardage, Johnson is small at only 5’9” and 207 pounds, meaning he’d be best served as part of a rotation rather than as a solo featured back.  He must improve in pass protection to be an every-down player, but his ability on stretch plays and his acceleration once a hole appears give him the potential to be a special player.

Projected Round: 2

Safety

Adding Kurt Coleman from the Chiefs to the roster should give the Panthers competition at the free safety spot for Tre Boston, but that’s not the Panthers’ biggest issue in the secondary.  The biggest issue would be the aging, and rapidly declining, Roman Harper at strong safety.  He is, frankly, a liability at this point in his career.  While the Panthers could move Coleman to the strong spot, as he has experience there, he’s much better suited to playing deep.  A replacement is needed.

Possible Picks

Derron Smith, Fresno State

Smith’s lack of ideal size—only 5’10” and 200 pounds—keeps him out of the running when we’re talking about the top safeties in the draft.  Other than that, however, Smith has everything you want in a modern-day exchangeable safety.  He was a four-year starter at Fresno, playing both in single-high coverage and in the box, close to the line.  He shows a willingness and ability to get downhill and tackle in the running game as well as match up with slot receivers down the field.  His size is a major liability when covering tight ends, which is a problem, but as a mid-round pick, his is more than solid.

Projected Round: 3

Damarious Randall, Arizona State

Again, Randall is a little small for a safety at only 5’11” and 196 pounds.  This would be a more pressing issue in a draft that featured a ton of tall options. That’s not the case in this year’s draft, so the Panthers will have to make do with what’s available.  Randall certainly has the instincts needed to play close to the line—he takes great angles in run defense and is a powerful tackler with nice blitzing ability as well.  Honestly, though, he’s probably better in coverage as an over-the-top safety. 

If the Panthers want to move Coleman back to strong safety full time, as he was in Philadelphia, Randall would compete well with Boston or as a nickel corner.

Projected Round: 2-3

James Sample, Louisville

If the Panthers are set on a pure strong safety, they’ll probably have to wait for Day 3 of the draft.  If they do, that’s the time they could gamble on Sample, who might be the best pure strong safety in the (admittedly weak) class.  He’s broad-shouldered and thick, with the physical traits to be a dominating force in the box.  He’s great at tackling in space, and led Louisville with 90 tackles last season.  He played only one season there, thanks to injuries and transfers, so he’s something of an unknown quantity overall and needs more time to be a contributor.  As a Day 3 pick, however, he’d be well worth the gamble.

Projected Round: 4

Weakside Linebacker

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

LSU's Kwon Alexander

The pairing of Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis is unparalleled around the league, but the third linebacker position is a bit weaker.  A.J. Klein is an average player at the weakside linebacker position, but he’s definitely several rungs below the top two.  A mid-round pick could be used to try to find a prospect to develop here.

Possible Picks

Kwon Alexander, LSU

Some people have Alexander listed as an inside player, but not in a 4-3 defense like the one the Panthers run.  He doesn’t have the instincts you’d want out of a middle linebacker, but given space on the outside, Alexander’s athleticism and quickness would allow him to roam and make plays chasing down opposing players.  He topped all linebackers with a 4.55-second 40-yard dash at the combine, so he has the physical tools you’d want.  He’d probably start at special teams for the Panthers for a year, honing his instincts and awareness before taking over for Klein at some point in the future.

Projected Round: 3

Davis Tull, Tennessee-Chattanooga

There’s a big, red, flashing warning sign with Tull, as he’s scheduled to have labrum surgery shortly, which should keep him out until July or August.  This means he’d miss minicamp and the various OTAs, though not training camp.  Even with that and a gimpy hamstring, Tull still managed a 4.57-second 40-yard dash at his pro day and had fantastic scores in the broad and long jumps back at the combine. 

Tull was a defensive lineman in college but isn’t big enough to play there in the pros, so he’s shifting to outside linebacker.  He may not be a perfect fit in Carolina’s system at the moment, but I’m always intrigued by smaller-school players who dominate at that level—like Tull did.

Projected Round: 3-4

Hayes Pullard, USC

Assuming the Panthers are satisfied with Klein and are looking for a player to develop, rather than one to contribute right away, Pullard might be their man.  The USC product is athletic but needs to improve his brute strength to play in the NFL.  He shows great instincts and patience on tape, with good fluidity and range.  He led USC in tackles in 2014 and was a four-year starter and two-year team captain.  He may need some more time to develop, but he could be a special-teamer or practice-squad guy in 2015 as he gets ready to step up.

Projected Round: 5-6

Defensive End

The Panthers have three-quarters of a fantastic defensive line, boasting Charles Johnson, Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei as starters.  If Greg Hardy were still around, they’d be set here for a long time, but, well, things happen.  They used a second-round pick last year on Kony Ealy, but he had a poor rookie season.  There’s no reason not to use a mid- to late-round pick on someone who can push him, at the very least, and become part of the rotation.

Possible Picks

Trey Flowers, Arkansas

Using back-to-back second-round picks on defensive ends might seem a bit overzealous, considering the needs at other positions.  However, if the Panthers were so inclined, Flowers would be a great addition to the team.  Flowers is incredibly stout in the run game, with solid amounts of both quickness and power.  While he’ll never be an elite pass-rusher like Hardy was, he has enough power to blow through tackles from time to time.  Most important is his consistency—you’re going to get maximum effort and technique on every snap.

Projected Round: 2-3

Markus Golden, Missouri

Golden is a tough, high-motor player with good instincts and edge-setting ability.  He may have been eclipsed by his teammate (and probable first-round pick) Shane Ray, but with 10 sacks and 20 tackles for a loss last season, Golden put up impressive numbers.  He’s not the most athletically gifted player in the world, but he did put up solid pro-day numbers, with WalterFootball.com's Tony Pauline saying that he “helped himself immeasurably,” running a 4.75-second 40-yard dash.

Projected Round: 4-5

Henry Anderson, Stanford

Anderson’s body type has him as more of a tweener-type player. His 6’6”, 294-pound frame isn’t ideal for any particular position in the NFL.  He’s thin and lacks power overall.  That being said, though, he produced all over the defensive line at Stanford, leading the team with 8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss.  He doesn’t stay blocked, and he produces despite his non-ideal measurables. 

He has a great motor, pursuing to the sidelines.  He can line up as a either a 3-technique or 5-technique on the defensive line in the pros, and while he has a low floor, he has the potential to be one of those players we look back on in three of four years and wonder how he slipped to Day 3.

Projected Round: 4

Cornerback

The Panthers got some great production out of their young cornerbacks as the season went on, with both Josh Norman and rookie Bene Benwikere stepping up their games in the stretch run.  There isn’t a solid nickel corner behind them—right now, it’d be a battle between Melvin White and Carrington Byndom—and the lack of an extended track record for either starter makes adding depth a priority, albeit one that should be handled in the middle rounds or later, unless a good talent drops later than expected.

Possible Picks

Ronald Darby, Florida State

Darby is a high school track star with the corresponding blazing speed; he ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the combine.  It’s not just straight-line speed, either—he has solid change-of-direction abilities and regains his top speed quickly.   He has solid awareness and instincts in the coverage game as well.  He’s not going to produce anything at all in run support and he’s not the toughest guy out there, but he has starting-corner abilities.  He’d let Benwikere slide back to the slot, where he’s more suited.

Projected Round: 2-3

Steven Nelson, Oregon State

Nelson’s shorter than you would like a cornerback to be at only 5’10” and 197 pounds.  Despite his relatively small stature, however, Nelson is physical and aggressive, with the speed and acceleration to close the distance on his targets quickly.  He’ll deliver shots to opposing receivers, daring them to come across the middle, and won’t give up an inch.  He has great hand-eye coordination and can make plays on the ball in the air. He is, at times, too aggressive and has the tendency to get caught holding, which is a concern.  He’s likely best in a zone coverage but definitely has the traits to succeed in the NFL.

Projected Round: 3-4

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon

If Ekpre-Olomu hadn’t torn his ACL leading up to the College Football Playoff, he might have been a first-round selection.  As it is, Ekpre-Olomu won’t be available right off the bat to start 2015, and some teams will be hesitant, as they don’t know how his knee will recover.  That makes him a great value pick if he falls out of Day 2.  Ekpre-Olomu is fluid in his movements and has plus instincts, able to adjust and react to plays as they develop.  He has the athleticism to capitalize on those instincts as well, closing down on backs quickly.  He’s short, at only 5’9”, and his technique needs polishing.  Any time you can get a first-round talent on Day 2 or 3, however, you have to jump at it.

Projected Round: 3-4

Interior Offensive Line

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Hobart's Ali Marpet

Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell stepped up to provide solid play toward the end of the year, but more depth is always needed on the line.  Amini Silatolu and Tyronne Green are subpar if forced into the starting lineup, and Brian Folkerts is a former undrafted free agent at backup center.  An injury to any of the starters would be bad.

Possible Picks

Ali Marpet, Hobart

Marpet would be the first Hobart player in the NFL since the 1930s; the tiny Division III school isn’t exactly a football factory.  He’s already blazed a trail, becoming the first Division III player to be invited to the Senior Bowl, where he more than held his own against prospects from larger schools.  He then wowed at the combine, finishing among the top offensive linemen in the 40-yard dash and shuttle drills—this guy can move for a big man.  The only—and I mean only—reason to doubt Marpet is the rapid jump in competition from Division III to the NFL. On paper and at the Senior Bowl, he was more than holding his own with everyone from everywhere.

Projected Round: 2-3

Hroniss Grasu, Oregon

Grasu started 52 games at center for the Oregon Ducks—he was a starter from Day 1, only missing time due to injuries.  He’s not the strongest center in the world, but he’s tough at the point of attack and can get to the second level to open up rushing lanes as well.  He’s agile and has great stamina, which was key in Oregon’s up-tempo offense.  Grasu’s biggest strength, however, might be his lack of weaknesses—Grasu is at least above average in pretty much any metric you might use to evaluate him.  He’s going to plug right into almost any system out there and contribute right away; he might be the top center in the draft.

Projected Round: 2

Antoine Everett, McNeese State

Here’s a long shot for you: Everett isn’t even listed as a draftable prospect by CBS Sports and didn’t get to go to the combine.  He’s probably the best player who didn’t get to go—or, at least, that’s what Todd McShay of ESPN had to say.  Everett, who played both guard and tackle at McNeese State, did get to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, where he had a great week, with ESPN’s Kevin Weidl singling him out for praise and saying that he has the traits to be developed into a successful starter.  He’s a name to put in your back pocket and pull out when he’s eventually drafted on Day 3 or picked up as an undrafted free agent—a developmental prospect who could pay dividends down the road.

Projected Round: UDFA

Bryan Knowles is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report.  He’s been covering the San Francisco 49ers and is now adding weekly Carolina Panthers coverage.  Follow him @BryKno on Twitter.