Round 2: pick No. 38 overall
Rizzuti: Cesar Ruiz, OL, Michigan
If you’re in some sort of rebuild mode, you’re not going to fix all of your problems in one year, let alone in one draft. What you can do is seek out potential foundational pieces to build on. With the remaining cornerbacks and defensive linemen on the board presenting their fair shares of risk, the Panthers go with one of the surest bets this class has to offer by picking Ruiz. His sound fundamentals, quick and nasty approach and consistency should translate immediately at the pro level.
Ruiz could start by filling the void at right guard left behind by the trade of Trai Turner, then possibly move over to center in 2021 or 2022 if the team decides to move on from starter Matt Paradis.
Williams: Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
The Panthers add some much-needed depth to their secondary here. Winfield is a ball-hawking safety who checks all of the boxes for a potential All-Pro defensive back.
Phil Snow can play him single high, up in the box, or even at nickel. He demonstrates top-notch instincts in zone and can hold his own in man coverage. The Panthers re-signed Tre Boston and brought in Juston Burris, but Winfield will give them flexibility in their zone coverage schemes and a true turnover threat on defense. Winfield had 85 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and seven interceptions in 2019.