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It’s not a good year for the skill positions and that is okay" />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesCat Scratch Reader homepageHorizontal - WhiteCat Scratch Readera Carolina Panthers communityFollow Cat Scratch Reader online:Follow Cat Scratch Reader on TwitterFollow Cat Scratch Reader on FacebookLog in or sign upLog InSign UpSite searchSearchSearchCat Scratch Reader main menuFanpostsFanshotsSectionsAboutPanthersOddsShopStubHubMoreAll 321 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Keep Sounding PodcastPanthers 2019 Training CampCSR Film RoomThe 2019 NFL draft talent aligns nicely with the Panthers needsNew Rashaan Gaulden Jersey ,14commentsIt’s not a good year for the skill positions and that is okayESTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:The 2019 NFL draft talent aligns nicely with the Panthers needsTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailPhoto by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty ImagesIt’s not a good year for the skill positions. Thankfully the Panthers don’t have any immediate needs in those areas outside of a third wide receiver. Instead the Panthers immediate top needs are offensive tackle and defensive end. That aligns well with a first round loaded with defensive linemen at the top. My preference is a left tackle to protect Cam Newton’s blind side. Two other positions of immediate need for the Panthers are safety and linebacker. I would then round out the top six needs as center and guard. 1st round The talent at the top of the first round is unusually heavy in defensive lineman. In fact it is a banner year for defensive tackles and edge rushers. There are an estimated ten defensive linemen that could be drafted in the top twenty picks, if not more. It is very likely an edge rusher in particular could be there for the taking at number sixteen. That will be hard for the Panthers to turn down. If a pass rusher isn’t the pick then there are several talented players who could play left tackle that should be available.The middle roundsMore good news, the second and third rounds are loaded with quality offensive linemen and safeties. I’ve seen several different mock drafts with the Panthers selecting a safety in the second round. While the draft is light at the top in safety talent there is upwards of eight safeties with second to fourth round grades.If the Panthers neglect to draft a tackle early they should still be able to find one in the middle rounds. I count fifteen tackles with third round to fifth round grades. Other options include half a dozen centers and upwards of ten guards that should be value picks between rounds three and five. If the Panthers decide to draft a center they should do so in the 3rd round at the latest as this draft is light in depth at the position. Guards on the other hand could be one of the most heavily drafted positions in this draft.The X factorGuessing exactly what the Panthers might do is complicated by the announcement the Panthers will incorporate a lot more 3-4 looks on defense. The Panthers’ current personnel don’t exactly fit a 3-4 defense at a couple positions. Those needs could be filled in this draft. We know they need a linebacker to replace Thomas Davis but they may look for another middle linebacker to play along Luke Kuechly in 3-4 alignments. They might also look for an under tackle flexible enough to play end in a 3-4. It’s hard any year to predict what the Panthers will do in the draft. This year will be no exception. The good news is they have a really good chance of filling several of their most glaring needs. The Panthers are going to play it safe with linebacker Luke Kuechly Thursday night Thomas Davis Color Rush Jersey , the same way they are with quarterback Cam Newton.But after he was held out of some practice time last week after being caught in a pile, the former defensive player of the year said it was important for him to play in the preseason to feel ready.“You can’t tackle people out here” in practice the way it is in a game, Kuechly said https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Cameron-Artis-Payne-Jersey , via Rick Bonnell of the . “I think there’s a big difference between running by a guy [with the ball] and tagging off, and tackling someone. You’ve got to do it once or twice to get the feel for it. You’ve got to get one [hit] inside and another in space. . . .“I’m a guy who feels like he needs a practice during the week during the season and in the preseason a couple of tackles to make sure I remember how to play football.”Kuechly was adamant that last week’s absence wasn’t concussion-related, though that specter hangs over him since he’s missed significant time because of them in the past. It’s not enough to make him shy away from contact https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/J.J.-Jansen-Jersey , however. Or the preseason as a whole.