Panthers talent evaluators target athletic DBs in the draft

OKLAHOMA ATHLETICS

Former Oklahoma safety Billy Bowman improved his draft stock at the NFL Combine, and possibly with the Carolina Panthers, who are in need of reinforcements at the position.

Dan Morgan pinpointed the traits he’s looking for as the Carolina Panthers reconstructs the safety room.

With veterans Xavier Woods and Jordan Fuller poised to enter free agency, the Panthers will need to acquire, draft or sign at least two starting-caliber safeties this offseason. After spending most of last week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Morgan, Carolina’s general manager detailed to Panthers.com the type of players he wants to add.

"In our scheme, first and foremost, (they) must be smart and a good communicator," he said. "If you’re not, you're not gonna last long. We put a premium on those two things.”

With the Panthers coming off a season in which the defense allowed an all-time high 534 points, reinforcements certainly will be prioritized. Defensive line and outside linebackers likely top Morgan's to-do list but adding playmaking defensive backs has his attention.   

“Obviously, we need another corner," he said. 

The Panthers brass studied their options in Indianapolis, as the decision makers assembled the information they gathered to begin putting possible personnel pieces into place. 

With free agency beginning March 12 and the draft scheduled for April 24-46, Morgan promised: “The puzzle will come together a little clearer.”

Morgan eyes safety talent

Woods participated in 1,216 snaps last season, the most among 170 strong safeties, according to PFF.com. His overall grade (57), however, placed him 125th.

Fuller played 574 snaps and registered a 53.8 grade and a No. 135 ranking.

Several teams could covet South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori among the prospects that could pique the Panthers' interest.

Emmanwori, who earned a near-perfect Relative Athletic Score, and is noted as an "athletic freak," appeared to exceed expectations. At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, he clocked a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, including a 1.49-second 10-yard split Friday. He also recorded an 11-6 broad jump and a 43-inch vertical.  

With the Panthers owning the No. 8 pick in the draft, Morgan will probably initially focus on premium positions like edge. However, if he trades down to stockpile additional assets, Emmanwori could prove enticing for a pick in the higher teens or 20s.   

Here’s a look at two other safeties who stood out at the combine:

• Malaki Starks (Georgia): A fluid athlete with proven college-level cover ability, Starks displayed skills that could make him NFL-ready. He placed first among safeties in five on-field drills, including the gauntlet and short shuttle. 

Starks’ only combine blip came in the 40-yard dash, where he ran a mediocre 4.50 seconds.

• Billy Bowman (Oklahoma): Attempting to silence critics of his tackling abilities, Bowman appeared to improve his stock. Clocked at 4.42 seconds in the 40 with a 1.52 10-yard split, he proved to be one of the position's fastest players. He also demonstrated athleticism by posting a 35.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-3 broad jump. Could Bowman be a Day 3 pick for the Panthers?

Scouting cornerbacks

With Jaycee Horn entering the final year of his rookie contract and Mike Jackson, a pending free agent, Morgan identified cornerback depth as an offseason concern.  

Horn and Jackson played relatively solid as the top two corners last season, despite the defense's problems stopping the run and failing to generate a consistent pass rush until the second half of the season. The Panthers ranked last in the league, surrendering 179.8 rushing yards per game.  

Both Horn and Jackson could be signed to long-term contracts, and after drafting Chau Smith-Wade No. 157 overall last year, Morgan said there are openings for playmaking corners.
Here are three prospects who could attract the Panthers' attention: 

• Darien Porter (Iowa State): Porter earned a 9.99 RAS out of a possible 10 and garnered elite grades for speed and agility. He ran a 4.3 40-yard dash and scored a 4.04 on the shuttle drill and 8.71 on the three-cone drill. 

Entering the combine, league insiders had questions about Porter's speed. He answered them by posting a 1.49-second 10-yard split (1.49), which topped the position group. 

• Caleb Ransaw (Tulane): Of the unsung prospects, Ransaw may have improved his stock the most. Highlighted by his speed and strength, Ransaw earned a 9.96 RAS. His 4.33 40 ranked third among corners and bench pressed 225 pounds 18 times. He also posted the top vertical jump (40 inches) and third-best broad jump (10-9). Next Gen Stats awarded Ransaw the position's top athleticism score (94).

• Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky): If Morgan wants to inject speed into the lineup, Hairston could be a value pick if he’s available on Day 3. His combine workout started hot with a top time of 4.28 40. He was the lone defensive back to clock a sub-4.3 and registered an overall 82 athleticism score.

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