May 3, 2015 by Sean McGarrity
The Carolina Panthers selected linebacker David Mayo with the first of their two, fifth-round compensatory draft picks. Taken 169th overall, Mayo’s selection comes as a bit of a surprise for several reasons. Coming into the fifth round, running back looked like the Panthers’ biggest remaining need. On top of that, Mayo also plays at a position that Carolina had seemingly already fulfilled.
David Mayo
First and foremost is the fact that Mayo plays strong side or middle linebacker. Both of those positions are currently occupied by some of the best linebackers the NFL has to offer, in Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis.