CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers had seven total selections in the 2020 NFL Draft and opted to use every pick to bolster its defense.
Entering the virtual draft hosted by commissioner Roger Goodell, first-year head coach Matt Rhule and general manager Marty Hurney made it clear that after losing a half dozen players on defense, including the retirement of eight-year veteran and beloved linebacker Luke Kuechley, that addressing the Panthers’ needs on defense would be a top priority.
Not only did the duo stick to its word, the Panthers’ front office made NFL history in the process. According to reports, Carolina’s all-defense draft selection made it the first time in the modern draft era that a team used at least seven picks, all of which chose a defensive player.
Making a profound statement of the organization’s commitment to revamp its defense for the long haul, the Panthers started with the No. 7 overall pick in the first round. Receiving an “A+” rating from CBS Sports, Rhule made the call to Auburn University defensive tackle Derrick Brown on Thursday night.
That was followed by the draft choice of Penn State University edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos as the 38th pick, and Carolina traded for the the No. 64 pick with the Seattle Seahawks to snag Jeremy Chinn, a safety out of Southern Illinois University.
Continuing to spread the wealth all over the defensive field, the Panthers selected cornerback Troy Pride, Jr. (Notre Dame University) in the fourth round as the 113th pick. According to CBS Sports, the first four players chosen by Rhule and Hurney received at least an “A-” rating or better.
The team’s final three choices came in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, respectively. Kenny Robinson, Jr., a safety from West Virginia University, went as the 152nd choice.
Baylor University defensive tackle Bravvion Roy was picked in the sixth round and rounding out the Panthers’ draft class was cornerback Stan Thomas-Oliver III from Florida International University.
Four of Carolina’s picks addressed needs in the secondary (Chinn, Pride, Robinson and Thomas-Oliver), while the likes of Brown, Gross-Matos and Roy will solidify the defensive front.
The 2020 class, which has been highlighted for its size, speed and workability, will look to help the Panthers rebound from a 5-11 record in 2019, which saw the team finish last in the NFC South.
Gone is former MVP quarterback Cam Newton, who’s testing the free agency waters after being released from the team on March 24.
Replacing him under center is Teddy Bridgewater, a former starter in Minnesota and backup in New Orleans, who was signed on March 26 to a three-year, $63 million contract.
The potential dividends from the all-defensive draft class will look to be paid this fall, if the NFL season isn’t impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also be interesting to see if Carolina will be successful without drafting a single offensive player.
