You haven’t heard about the Carolina Panthers’ lack of linebackers because, well, it’s just not as sexy as their needs at quarterback and on their offensive line. But there’s nothing sexy about a defense without a beating heart in the middle of it.
That’s why our friends over at Draft Wire and Touchdown Wire have paired the Panthers up with this year’s top backer in Devin Lloyd. Both Luke Easterling and Doug Farrar, while also weighing the team’s other obvious holes, believe the University of Utah defender can bring some much needed edge and flexibility to Carolina.
“Quarterback and offensive line are obviously huge needs, but the value just isn’t there in this scenario,” notes Easterling, who had already mocked two offensive linemen away prior to the sixth overall selection. “Instead, the Panthers would be wise to address their need at linebacker with Lloyd, who has a combination of size, athleticism and versatility similar to what Micah Parsons brought last year.”
