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The Carolina Panthers had a memorable year last season, making a remarkable Super Bowl run with an MVP at quarterback and an extremely talented defense. They played with style and produced one of the best regular seasons that we have seen in recent years. Unfortunately, they came up just short, and will look to improve upon their weaknesses. This offseason will be extremely important if they are to make another deep playoff run.
The Panthers seemingly had very few weapons for Cam Newton, but several players stepped up in big ways. Greg Olsen continued to be a reliable player in the middle of the field, and several receivers played well enough to keep the offense dangerous. Their running game allowed them to control the clock, and wear teams out. They figure to get even better when Kelvin Benjamin returns from injury, giving them another target for Newton to work with.
Defensively, this was one of the best units all season. They had arguably the top cornerback and middle linebacker in the league, along with plenty of talent throughout their front seven and their secondary. They were able to overcome injuries on that side of the ball, and should be a tough team to beat once again.
However, they did have their weaknesses exposed in the Super Bowl, and there were plenty of close games throughout the regular season. The team could use another playmaker on offense, although Benjamin could prove to be an elite talent when he returns. More importantly, they must upgrade an offensive line that greatly overachieved last season, especially at offensive tackle. They could use some help on their defensive line even though they have some young players with potential, and drafting a couple of defensive backs wouldn’t hurt. However, offensive tackle is where they are the weakest, and going after a player such as Jason Spriggs would make sense.
Spriggs is not the top offensive tackle in the draft, but he is a very athletic player for someone his size and would be a nice addition to their offensive line. He is good enough to play either left or right tackle, and could be someone that they rely on long-term. His ability to move in open space could be a positive with the numerous running plays that the Panthers utilize. Spriggs has the potential to be an impact player, and could help when the team faces elite pass rushers.
There are other players the Panthers might consider should they fall, such as Jack Conklin or Taylor Decker. Regardless, the Panthers need to focus on upgrading their offensive line to keep Newton healthy and to control the line of scrimmage. They were outplayed in the Super Bowl, and their inability to give their quarterback time was a big reason why their offense struggled. The team must focus on improving their pass protection in this draft.
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