2019 NFL Draft: Fixing one pick for each NFC South team

Carolina Panthers 2019 NFL Draft Picks:

Round 1 (16): Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State
Round 2 (37): Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss
Round 3 (100): Will Grier, QB, West Virginia
Round 4 (115): Christian Miller, EDGE, Alabama
Round 5 (154): Jordan Scarlett, RB, Florida
Round 6 (212): Dennis Daley, OT, South Carolina
Round 7 (237): Terry Godwin, WR, Georgia

Panthers select Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma instead of Greg Little

Okay, I know this seems a little silly. I just explained why Cody Ford should have been the pick for the Falcons in the first round. However, he simply makes too much sense here as well to ignore him.

When the Panthers traded up in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, it seemed almost guaranteed that Ford was the pick. It just made too much sense. Instead, they took Ole Miss offensive tackle Greg Little. One pick later, Ford ended up with the Buffalo Bills.

Little is an athletic offensive lineman who has true left tackle upside at the next level. He moves well for a man of his size and uses his mobility well in both the run game and in pass protection. However, Little lacks functional strength and has sloppy technique and mechanics. He has a long way to go if he is actually going to reach his full upside.

Ford is a more ready-made player whose combination of power and athleticism gives him a similar upside at the next level. He is not a left tackle prospect like Little, but Ford could provide immediate stability at right tackle and either guard position.

Simply put, Ford is a better offensive lineman than Little and could have filled in immediately and provide long-term security for the Panthers. Ford should have been a first-round pick and would have been an absolute home run selection for the Panthers in the second round.