The Carolina Panthers were very pleased with wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin's rookie season. The former FSU star hauled in 73 passes for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns. But to further ensure Cam Newton's success as he enters the final year of his rookie deal, the Panthers need to continue to provide him with weapons in the passing game. That is why ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. projects Carolina to select Auburn wide receiver Sammie Coates in the second round.
"Coates is a bit of a wild car, an extraordinary athlete who can run past defenders and will make some contested catches, but he'll also drop some easy ones and drive coaches crazy. That said, we took a shot on Kelvin Benjamin last year in Round 1, and while we certainly suffered through some issues in route running and concentration with bringing the ball in, we also got some big plays. Coates brings talent, but no promises. That said, our depth chart at wide receiver demands we take a shot...This draft is, again, about helping Cam Newton first."
Overall, the Panthers ranked just 19th in passing yards per game (219.4) last season. Newton didn't have his best year from a statistical standpoint but he was also playing injured for much of the season. Carolina didn't do him any favors up front either as the offensive line ranked 27th in adjusted line yards (which measures run blocking) and 22nd in adjusted sack rate (which measures pass blocking), according to Football Outsiders.
Giving Newton more talented targets in the passing game and better blocking is crucial to his development as a long-term franchise quarterback.
The NFL Draft will kick off on April 30.
