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Carolina Panthers’ 5 Biggest Draft Needs Heading Into 2015 NFL Combine

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Carolina Panthers' 5 Biggest Draft Needs Heading Into 2015 NFL Combine

Cam Newton
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The NFL Combine is just a mere two weeks away, and despite magically making the postseason, the Carolina Panthers still have a fair amount to improve on. They do have a good strong core of young players, so adding onto that this offseason could put them back into the top of the NFC. Here are the Panthers’ five biggest draft needs.

5. Running Back

DeAngelo Williams
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5. Running Back

DeAngelo Williams
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On paper, the Panthers have a good backfield with Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert; but sadly football isn’t played just on paper. Williams and Stewart have both dealt with injuries throughout their careers, and neither of them are starting, workhorse caliber backs. Investing in a young talented back might help take the pressure off of Cam Newton’s broad shoulders.

4. Defensive End

Greg Hardy
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4. Defensive End

Greg Hardy
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The Panthers finished the season with 40 sacks which isn’t horrible, but it’s a far cry from their sack total two years ago when they racked up 60. A lot of that was due to Greg Hardy’s absence this season. However, Hardy is a free agent and was suspended all year long for domestic violence, so the Panthers might not bring him back. If they don’t, they’ll need to find a backup rusher to fill his void.

3. Wide Receiver

Kelvin Benjamin
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3. Wide Receiver

Kelvin Benjamin
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The Panthers completely overhauled their receiving corps last year, releasing Steve Smith and not re-signing Brandon LaFell. They drafted Kelvin Benjamin who had a great rookie season, and now the Panthers will look to strike gold again getting another wide receiver in this year’s draft. Adding weapons around Newton will only help him moving forward.

2. Offensive Line

Ryan Kalil
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2. Offensive Line

Ryan Kalil
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Cam Newton has been one of the most hit quarterbacks over the past few years and those marks have shown. He suffered a few injuries this past season, and if the Panthers want to keep their franchise player alive and well, they need to invest heavily in the offensive line.

1. Cornerback

Josh Norman
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1. Cornerback

Josh Norman
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It was very apparent against the Seahawks in the Divisional round that the Panthers’ defense is missing some shutdown corners. The Panthers’ front seven is terrifying and kept Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson in check to keep the Panthers in the game. But the secondary allowed too many big completions by Wilson to let the Panthers stay in the game. They need to bolster the secondary this offseason.

Peter Rogers is a New England Patriots writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @petahrahgas, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

Peter Rogers is a writer for RantSports.
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