NFL Tickets
After their Super Bowl loss last season, the Carolina Panthers needed to pick up a few impact players in the 2016 NFL Draft to help them get another shot at winning the big game again this season. Unfortunately, the Panthers ended up making just five picks during the course of the draft, so they had to make good use of them. Here is how each of Carolina’s picks grade out.
First Round: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
Credit: Getty ImagesGrade: B+
First Round: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
The defensive line wasn't Carolina's biggest need, but there's nothing wrong with adding an impact player up front. Butler should be a rotational guy as a rookie and eventually take on a starting role for the Panthers' defense.
Grade: B+
Second Round: James Bradberry, CB, Samford
Credit: Getty ImagesGrade: C-
Second Round: James Bradberry, CB, Samford
The Panthers needed a corner, but Bradberry may not be ready to play right away. He has the size, but his corner skills are still raw. He's going to take a huge step up in competition in the NFL as well, which is definitely a concern.
Grade: C-
Third Round: Daryl Worley, CB, West Virginia
Credit: Getty ImagesGrade: B
Third Round: Daryl Worley, CB, West Virginia
Worley is another corner and a player more suited to play right away than Bradberry. He doesn't have a huge ceiling, as he lacks top-line speed, but he can be a solid corner in the NFL and give the Panthers depth after losing Josh Norman.
Grade: B
Fifth Round: Zack Sanchez, CB, Oklahoma
Credit: Getty ImagesGrade: B-
Fifth Round: Zack Sanchez, CB, Oklahoma
Taking a third corner in a row is a bit overkill, but Sanchez is a good value pick on Day 3. He faced plenty of pass-heavy offenses in college, so he's ready for the NFL and profiles well as a nickel corner who can defend slot receivers.
Grade: B-
Seventh Round: Beau Sandland, TE, Miami
Credit: Getty ImagesGrade: D
Seventh Round: Beau Sandland, TE, Miami
Sandland may turn into a fine tight end, but the Panthers had other areas to address instead of taking a luxury pick in the seventh round, especially when they had so few picks. Unless Sandland becomes a star, this pick is questionable.
Grade: D
Share 
