And with their second selection of the day, the Panthers selected Bene Benwikere at the 148th overall spot in the 5th round, after trading up with the Vikings to jump up 20 spots. The former San Jose State cornerback was a senior. You can read Nolan Nawrocki's** draft profile here.
Benwikere has good size for a cornerback, something Dave Gettleman clearly covets in many of his prospects. He also has excellent ball skills, logging four straight interceptions during his senior season after returning from a concussion that hospitalized him. He appears to be best fit as a nickel in the Panthers defense, though he has experience at all positions in the secondary. He also provides special teams value as a gunner and jammer.
He's not the fastest defensive back and his game could use a little more physicality. But he has the potential to be a contributor on this defense, and his ball skills are something a coach like Sean McDermott is going to covet with an elite front seven to compliment the secondary. He could use a bit of coaching, but he should have the opportunity to come in and contribute right away at cornerback.