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Justin Reid, S, Stanford
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The Carolina Panthers have a few options here with this pick. They can try to push on a wide receiver or they could take possibly the best OLB in Leighton Vander Esch as the imminent departure of Thomas Davis Sr. is coming after the 2018 season. Though this may be the smartest move to replace Davis, the Panthers are in a big need in the secondary after releasing Kurt Coleman and trading Daryl Worley to Philadelphia. Plus we all know of the failed physical with their first option, Bashaud Breeland.
This has left the back end thin in Carolina and safety play is way more important at this point. With an athlete like Reid, you just cannot pass up on him. As if coming in at the combine with good size at 6’1” 204lbs wasn’t enough he posted a 4.4 40. Then to post an overall top 20 grade his stock jumped from mid-2nd to mid/bottom of the 1st. From information gathering and tape this is what I have seen.
1. Has the speed to keep up with most at the NFL level
2. Size to come up and make the tackle
3. Can cover the pass and has the hands to make the interceptions
NFL Comparison (our very own) – Malcolm Jenkins
Here is what one general manager had to say about him (via NFL.com) -
”There aren’t too many issues in his game. If he tests well he could sneak into the back half of the first is my guess. He’s better in coverage than his brother.” -- NFC General Manager
Here is how and why I came to the Jenkins comparison. Reid has a football mind and a bloodline in the NFL. He recognizes the plays from good film study and knows how to execute what is set forth for him. Reid makes the play in the secondary, will line up in the box to make plays in the run game and you can bring him off the edge to get after the QB. With Reid you have several spots you can go with him throughout the game. Safety which should and most likely will be his primary, bring him down in to the slot in nickle, move him to the outside in emergency situations, rush him to get in the QB’s face and can also rely on him to run down on special teams and make plays. If this isn’t the potential for the next Malcom Jenkins in the making I don’t know who is.
We all remember this spider graph below –
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At the end of the day, Carolina needs help on defense and this is where they must start. Reid is a playmaker that this team needs and just cannot ignore what Reid can bring to them. Reid will be a solid safety in the NFL for the next 8 to 10 years and with a defensive coaching staff like Carolina, he could be great.
Poll
Do you approve of this pick?
2018 BGN Community Mock Draft Order
1) Browns (GMinTraining): Saquon Barkley
2) Giants (ablesser88): Quenton Nelson
3) Jets (20Safety_Hazards): Sam Darnold
4) Browns (MJ1893): Josh Rosen
5) Broncos (drc242): Baker Mayfield
6) Colts (I Need a Username): Bradley Chubb
7) Buccaneers (dunc123): Minkah Fitzpatrick
8) Bears (NVEagleShark): Tremaine Edmunds
9) 49ers (Doug Pederson’s Pair of Balls): Calvin Ridley
10) Raiders (Milehighbirds): Derwin James
11) Dolphins (danishdynamite_): Roquan Smith
12) Bills (LAOJoe): Denzel Ward
13) Washington (Eagle1987): Vita Vea
14) Packers (89Tremaine): Mike Hughes
15) Cardinals (RimoDawkins): Josh Allen
16) Ravens (PhillyEagles2011): Mike McGlinchey
17) Chargers (LBCeaglesFan!): Da’Ron Payne
18) Seahawks (KEZHOG): Marcus Davenport
19) Cowboys (Brawnybalboa): Rashaan Evans
20) Lions (dshelton5): Derrius Guice
21) Bengals (Palaniappan K M): Connor Williams
22) Bills (BeamerWentzorBentley): Lamar Jackson
23) Patriots (jy1187): Harold Landry
24) Panthers (dceagles): Justin Reid
25) Titans (ei78):
26) Falcons (SakPrescott):
27) Saints (MidMajorMatt):
28) Steelers (SummersInVA):
29) Jaguars (RecarTabmok):
30) Vikings (AnthroEagle):
31) Patriots (PhilaWolverine):
32) Eagles (JALupowitz):
Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think the Seahawks should pick in the 2018 BGN Consensus Mock Draft.
1) Browns: Saquon Barkley
2) Giants: Sam Darnold
3) Jets: Josh Rosen
4) Browns: Josh Allen
5) Broncos: Baker Mayfield
6) Colts: Bradley Chubb
7) Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick
8) Bears: Quenton Nelson
9) 49ers: Tremaine Edmunds
10) Raiders: Derwin James
11) Dolphins: Roquan Smith
12) Bills: Lamar Jackson
13) Washington: Vita Vea
14) Packers: Denzel Ward
15) Cardinals: Mason Rudolph
16) Ravens: Mike McGlinchey
17) Chargers: Da’Ron Payne
18) Seahawks: Marcus Davenport
19) Cowboys: Rashaan Evans
20) Lions: Derrius Guice
21) Bengals: Connor Williams
22) Bills: Calvin Ridley
23) Patriots: Harold Landry
24) Panthers:
Poll
Who should the Panthers pick at No. 24 overall?
This poll is closed
-
23%
Justin Reid
-
14%
Leighton Vander Esch
-
5%
Maurice Hurst
-
19%
D.J Moore
-
21%
Courtland Sutton
-
6%
Christian Kirk
-
1%
James Washington
-
2%
Sam Hubbard
-
2%
Ronnie Harrison
-
4%
Kolton Miller