Dee Milliner, widely regarded as the best cornerback in the draft will need to have surgery on his shoulder to repair a torn labrum, this from ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Milliner was seen as an option for the Carolina Panthers in late-December mock drafts, but has since been graded far higher. The 6-1 corner has been mocked in the top-ten by most outlets, with some believing he's a dark horse for a top-three pick. It remains to be seen if analysts are in step with the view by NFL teams, but it's still possible that Milliner would be an option for the Panthers.
Expected to part ways with Chris Gamble and Captain Munnerlyn this off-season, Carolina will have promising young players at the CB position, but little else. As good as James Dockery and Josh Thomas played late in the year, it's too early to hang your hat on either one as a future starting corner. Josh Norman rounds out the position after an up-and-down rookie season, but as it stands he's the Panthers' first option -- that's not so good.
Milliner is expected to still take part in the combine, and it remains to be seen if this latest set back could provide Dave Gettleman with the opportunity to land the draft's best cornerback with the 14th overall pick.