2019 NFL Draft: Projected First Round after NFL Combine

The Panthers should be in good position to draft a high-impact edge rusher with their pick in the first round. The draft is flush with talent off the edge, which coincides with Carolina’s biggest need this offseason.

The Panthers ranked 27th in the NFL last season in sacks and must replace the eternal Julius Peppers, who finally decided to hang up his cleats. Outside of Peppers, the only edge rusher on the roster in 2018 who finished with more than two sacks was Mario Addison, who led the team with nine. Addison is 31 years old, and his contract expires after next season. Finding a young edge rusher in this draft will be imperative.

Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell is polished enough to be an immediate contributor in the NFL. Ferrell has a bevy of pass-rush moves at his disposal already, along with an excellent bull rush where he utilizes his power and length to push opposing offensive tackles deep into the backfield. Ferrell might not have the ceiling that some of other pass rushers have in this class, but he might be the most NFL ready of any of them.

Ferrell also sets the edge better than any edge rusher in this draft, which will only help Carolina’s linebackers roam around and make plays without always having to stave off blocks from offensive linemen. He’s good at forcing runs back inside for others to clean up.

Bulking up their offensive line to try and keep Cam Newton healthy is another offseason priority for the Panthers, and if Ferrell is off the board when their pick comes up, they could look at targeting Florida’s Jawaan Taylor or NC State’s Garrett Bradbury with his selection, both of which would be strong consolation prizes.