Arm length had been a big storyline around Matt Rhule and the Panthers ever since he made the comments about them thinking of Brady Christensen as a guard because of his short arms. Rhule told the Mac Attack on Thursday that one of his biggest regrets from the season was not sticking with Christensen at left tackle after the Giants game where he struggled, making many fans angry that this was something that he didn't realize in season. Combine that with the fact that he revealed to the Mac Attack in his interview that the staff passed on second team All-Pro Rashawn Slater because they felt that he was a guard and the team wasn't willing to take a guard that high.
The Carolina Panthers shook up several NFL Draft boards by trading for Jets' QB Sam Darnold earlier this month. While the team won't need to take a gamble on a quarterback with the eighth overall pick, they're likely to add some depth on the offensive line to protect the former Southern Cal prospect.
8. Carolina Panthers Will: Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern: With all of the consensus top four quarterbacks off the board, Carolina goes its next biggest need, a franchise-changing offensive lineman. Slater brings in the flexibility that Scott Fitterer & Matt Rhule seem to crave in their first offseason working together, and finally gives the Panthers some stability with their biggest question mark entering the offseason. While this pick could very well be Mac Jones, I’m a believer in Joe Person of The Athletic’s latest report which states the Panthers’ lack of infatuation with the QB talent beyond Lawrence & Wilson. Nick: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State: This may be wishful thinking but unless a trade up happens ahead of Carolina, I think there is a decent chance Trey Lance, Justin Fields or both are there at 8. BEST POSSIBLE SCENARIO. The over analysis on Justin Fields around the NFL has reached embarrassing levels. He checks every physical box you want and has some Cam Newton to his game.
