Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Panthers have the No. 25 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and still have a few holes to fill. They made a flurry of small but effective free agent signings this offseason that have changed their draft needs a bit. Some were originally saying they should draft a wide receiver in the first round, but most were saying offensive tackle. My thoughts are still offensive tackle, and Andrus Peat should be the guy.
Michael Oher is probably the biggest signing the Panthers have made thus far this offseason. The other signings include wide receivers Ted Ginn Jr. and Jarrett Boykin as well as running back Jordan Todman. Now these names aren’t ones that jump out at you, but they are exactly what the Panthers needed. Ginn Jr. was with Carolina just two years ago where he had his best season. He, along with Todman, will bring speed to the offense, but most importantly they will boost the special teams group which was among the bottom in the league. Boykin is a young receiver who played well in spurts for the Green Bay Packers in 2013 but took a step back in 2014. He was a cheap signing that could help bolster the receiving corps. Lastly, there’s Oher. Oher played very well for the Baltimore Ravens for a few years and then signed with the Tennessee Titans where he landed on injured reserve. He still has talent and Carolina hopes to make the most out of him.
These may not have been fantastic signings compared to most other teams, but they are enough to solidify the roster and change the outlook on the draft. This is where Peat comes in. Some people think the Panthers now have their left tackle in Oher so they can wait on an offensive tackle, but I disagree.
Peat is a big and experienced tackle who can play both sides. He will have some learning to do, but the Panthers desperately need offensive line depth if they want to protect Cam Newton. Ever since the departure of Jordan Gross the Panthers have been trying to solidify the tackle position. It was a disappointing position last season, so the time to start working on it is now. Peat has proven he can be coached and learn quickly. At 21 years of age, the Panthers should take him with pick No. 25 and hope they can turn him into Newton’s blindside protector for years to come.
Brian Brennan is a writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @b2brennan.
