2020 NFL Draft: Grading all of the Carolina Panthers selections
4.113. Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame
Grade: B
The Carolina Panthers opted to get their cornerback in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft when they selected Troy Pride Jr. from Notre Dame. Their cornerback room desperately needed some more help and Pride Jr. is a solid addition to that.
He has decent size at 5-foot-11 and 194 pounds, but he needs to be more physical. He’s not a willing tackler which needs to change for him to see any real playing time at the next level. However, he does have tremendous speed and athleticism that will let him get by until he develops fully into an NFL caliber cornerback.
5.152. Kenny Robinson Jr., S, WVU
Grade: B+
Carolina continues to add to its secondary after grabbing Chinn and Pride Jr. they grab another safety. Kenny Robinson left West Virginia to play for the XFL and it worked out pretty well for him. He was dismissed from the university due to academic violations and opted to enter the XFL.
I believe this could potentially help him out a bit more than if he was coming straight out of college. Even though the XFL was nowhere near the level of the NFL, they still had respectable former college and NFL coaches on their staff. He was coached up by former New York Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis. Even though he played just five games, he believes he has an advantage over prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft after being coached up by former NFL coaches.
6.184. Bravvion Roy, DL, Baylor
Grade: B+
The Carolina Panthers continued to beef up the middle of their defensive after taking Baylor defensive lineman Bravvion Roy in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Roy had a breakout season in 2019 where he totaled 61 tackles with 13 for loss and 5.5 sacks. He was just a mediocre player until his Senior season which is why he went as late as he did. Roy won’t have to come in and play right away as Carolina has Kawaan Short and newly drafted Derrick Brown. This will allow Roy to take his time and develop his game properly.
7.221. Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, CB, FIU
Grade: B
The Carolina Panthers took a bit of a project in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft in FIU cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver III. The seventh-round is usually where you’ll find reclamation projects or guys you’re willing to take risks on.
Thomas-Oliver III is a converted receiver after making the switch to cornerback after his sophomore season which is why he’s extremely raw. His early turnout was good totaling 40 tackles and 1 interception in his first season at corner. He topped that in his senior year posting 54 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 interception, including 8 passes defended.
The Panthers may have found something really special with their final pick, but he will be a project. I do not see anything wrong with taking a project player this late into the draft. This is a gamble I would probably bet on considering how well he faired early on.