2020 NFL Draft: Top team needs for the Carolina Panthers
4. Safety
The Carolina Panthers need to fill a bunch of holes on their defense, but their secondary seems to be a mess. There’s nobody on that roster that should scare anyone. They released their 2019 starting safety Eric Reid who wasn’t anything particularly special either so they’ll look to find an upgrade there. Carolina did agree to a contract to bring back Tre Boston, who had three interceptions and 11 passes defended with 68 total tackles last season. Luckily for the Panthers, this year’s class figures to go deep into day three of the draft.
The one guy that I would love to see land in Carolina is Minnesota safety Antione Winfield Jr. He can play nickel or single high and would be an immediate upgrade over anyone the Panthers currently have.
In 2019, Winfield had seven interceptions, three sacks and 58 tackles for Minnesota. His versatility and takeaway ability is a big reason why he is my highest-rated safety in this draft. I have a first-round grade on him, but he’s currently still projected to go in the second round.
Next. 7-round mock draft for Panthers. dark
If I’m Carolina, I would trade down from seven, take C.J. Henderson and then try hard to land Winfield Jr. at the top of the second round. That secondary would certainly look better on paper. Here are some more safety prospects the Carolina Panthers could target in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Safety prospects: Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois (2nd round), Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne (Day two), Ashtyn Davis, California (Day two), Terrell Burgess, Utah (Day two), Geno Stone, Iowa (Day three)