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Carolina Panthers: Lake Dawson Emerging as GM Favorite

By Erik Lambert

9 Nov 1997: Wide receiver Lake Dawson of the Kansas City Chiefs tries to get his foot out of the grasp of cornerback Dave Thomas of the Jacksonville Jaguars during a game at Alltell Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars won the game 24-10. Manda
9 Nov 1997: Wide receiver Lake Dawson of the Kansas City Chiefs tries to get his foot out of the grasp of cornerback Dave Thomas of the Jacksonville Jaguars during a game at Alltell Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars won the game 24-10. Manda /
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No team is likely to undergo more turmoil at the top of their organization in 2018 than the Carolina Panthers, but they still have work to do.

Ownership is likely due to change amidst several legal allegations against Jerry Richardson. That, in turn, has created a vacuum of uncertainty around the franchise. It seems no job is safe at this point. None more so than their general manager position. Initially, it looked like Marty Hurney was set to take the job long-term but he’s involved with the NFL investigation over the harassment issues that got Richardson in trouble.

Current indications are the Panthers may end up going in a different direction. Thus far they’ve been conducting quiet interviews in their search. One man seems to have emerged as an early favorite for the job in Lake Dawson. According to Tom Pelissero, the Panthers are bringing him in for a second meeting. This would indicate at least for now that he’s a definite favorite to land the job depending on what happens with the investigation.

Lake Dawson worked his way from the ground up

This is actually a name that has floated around GM circles for a long time. Dawson is a former wide receiver who played four seasons in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs. He worked his way up the scouting ranks over the next decade until he became Vice President of Football Operations in Tennessee for the Titans. From 2011 through 2015 the team had some reasonable success in the draft including Jurrell Casey, Zach Brown, Taylor Lewan and Marcus Mariota.

Dawson was relieved of his duties in 2016 and he took a job to scout for the Cleveland Browns. Then this past year he was made Assistant Director of College Scouting in Buffalo. So Dawson has seen every level that the business has to offer. That combined with his considerable experience would make him an inspired choice for the job.

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