CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Carolina Panthers are in their full evaluation mode of college players for the April 28-30 NFL draft.
General manager Dave Gettleman has put the team in a decent position in relation to their needs by re-signing defensive end Charles Johnson and adding backup center/guard Gino Gradkowski, nickel corner Brandon Boykin and defensive tackle Paul Soliai. That should allow them to feel comfortable taking the best player available with the 30th pick.
Of course, that’s what Gettleman says he’s done every year.
But this year, more than in Gettleman’s first three drafts, he has the luxury of truly going for the best player rather than drafting for need, as there aren’t big any needs that jump out for the NFC champions.