The Carolina Panthers will have just two defensive ends on the active roster when the league year begins in March—Mario Addison and Marquis Haynes—so it’s no secret that they must find players to fill out the depth chart before training camp begins this summer. As we’ve discussed several times already, there are two ways to accomplish this: Free agency and the NFL Draft.
Just like last week, Dan Kadar from Mocking the Draft has given the Panthers a pass rusher in his latest mock draft. Last week he mocked former Florida Gators defensive end Jachai Polite to the Panthers, but this week it’s former Michigan Wolverine Rashan Gary who ends up in Carolina.
16. Carolina Panthers: Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
Alabama safety Deionte Thompson will be an intriguing option for Carolina in the first round, but Gary’s potential is too great to pass up this late in the first round. Gary is the complete package of size and athleticism for an end. He just never quite lived up to the hype at Michigan.
My main concern with this pick for the Panthers is that I’m not sure that Gary will fall all the way to No. 16. I think he will be a good player in the NFL, and I think he’s definitely worth a first rounder, but I’m not sure he lasts until it’s Carolina’s turn to pick.
WalterFootball lists Gary as the No. 2 defensive end in this year’s class after Nick Bosa, and believes that he could play defensive end in either a 4-3 or a 3-4 defense.
Rashan Gary*, DE, Michigan
Height: 6’5” | Weight: 287 lbs
Projected 40 Time: 5.00 secs
Projected Round (2019): Top-25.1/14/19: In 2018, Gary totaled 43 tackles with 7.5 for a loss and 3.5 sacks. He missed three games with an AC shoulder joint sprain and sat out Michigan’s bowl game. Gary played well when on the field, showing a serious skill set of speed, athleticism, and natural size. He has a ton of upside for the NFL. With his size, strength, and speed, Gary is a great fit as a base end in a 4-3 defense. He also could be a five-technique in a 3-4 defense.
8/29/18: Gary notched 65 tackles with six sacks, one forced fumble and 12 tackles for a loss in 2017. Gary is a rare athlete who could turn into a dominant defender. Scouting sources say Gary has high first-round potential if he puts everything together. That could definitely happen during his junior season. One scouting sources who has done advance work on the 2019 class said that Gary is a rare physical talent similar to some former top-of-the-draft prospects, but Michigan doesn’t turn him loose as a pass-rusher as much as other prospects were.
If WalterFootball’s analysis is correct, Gary’s versatility could make him an attractive option for the Panthers. But at the same time, if Gary is that versatile how would he fall all the way down to No. 16 overall? If he truly is the second best defensive end in this year’s draft class (a notion that I disagree with, mind you) I don’t see many scenarios where he is even available for the Panthers to draft without trading up to get him. At that point, I’d rather just pick the best player on the board at No. 16. I don’t think the Panthers can afford to trade away draft picks to move up in this year’s draft—there are simply too many holes in the roster to do that.
What do you think, Panthers fans? Would you be okay with drafting Gary in the first round? Let’s hear what you have to say!
Poll
Would Rashan Gary be a good pick at No. 16 overall?
This poll is closed
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51%
Yes
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12%
No
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35%
Depends on who’s available