At a glance: Uncertainty at the quarterback position is going to linger in Carolina now that rookie signal caller Will Grier is in the building. Media questions are a small price to pay for the insurance policy if there's any doubt over Cam Newton's shoulder however. More worrying is the Panthers lack of secondary depth.
Quarterback Cam Newton wasn't himself last year and fans wondered had the signal caller taken too much contact over his eight-year NFL career. The front office decided to play it safe and drafted Will Grier to place behind the 30-year-old. At worst Grier fills in while Newton takes a break from the game, while at best the Panthers unearth a future starter that will live in Newton's shadow. Either way, the team has a contingency plan.
The Panthers defense is a bigger concern than anything on offense (especially now that the offensive line got some help). It's a wonder that the average-to-bad unit - 15th fewest yards, 14th most points, sixth fewest sacks in 2018 - wasn't targeted more in the draft. Just two draft picks (albeit first and fourth rounders) were used on defense/ outside linebackers. The secondary got no help, yet Ron Riviera's team solidified its running back and wide receiver rooms.
What's that about defense winning championships?
DRAFT PICKS (per ESPN)
1.16 Brian Burns OLB
2.05 Greg Little OT
3.36 Will Grier QB
4.13 Christian Miller OLB
5.16 Jordan Scarlett RB
6.39 Dennis Daley OT
7.23 Terry Godwin WR
ORIGINAL COVER PHOTO: Orlando Sentinel
