CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The way ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. sees it the Carolina Panthers could have their pick of three players who would fill a need and not be a reach with the 24th pick of Thursday’s draft.
Kiper had the Panthers selecting Stanford safety Justin Reid in the first round of his last two mock drafts. Reid is regarded by some analysts as the third-best safety behind Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick and Florida State’s Derwin James.
Reid definitely would fill a need as the Panthers don’t have a guaranteed starter at free safety opposite Mike Adams at strong.