Panthers Sit in Top Five of Sports Illustrated's Draft Class Rankings

The selections of QB Bryce Young, WR Jonathan Mingo, LB DJ Johnson, OL Chandler Zavala, and DB Jammie Robinson put the Carolina Panthers at No. 3 in the draft class rankings by Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano.

"The Panthers automatically had one of the best draft classes the second they turned in their draft card with Bryce Young’s name. Yes, his size might be an issue (at the combine, Young measured in at 5'10", 204 pounds), but he’s accurate in the pocket, can create away from it, and is a quick processor on the field. Young has all the ingredients to be considered a top-15 quarterback after his rookie season. Plus, he is walking into a good situation with Carolina having one of the best offensive lines in the NFL (though the Panthers didn’t settle, either, by adding second-round wide receiver Jonathan Mingo). Third-round defensive end DJ Johnson could also provide depth for a promising defense."

The only two who ranked higher in Manzano's rankings are the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles. For comparison, here's the draft haul for all three teams:

PHILADELPHIA

RD1: DT Jalen Carter, Georgia

RD1: LB Nolan Smith, Georgia

RD3: OT Tyler Steen, Alabama

RD3: S Sydney Brown, Illinois

RD4: CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia

RD6: QB Tanne McKee, Stanford

RD7: DE Moro Ojomo, Texas

SEATTLE

RD1: CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois

RD1: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State

RD2: LB Derick Hall, Auburn

RD3: RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA

RD4: OG Anthon Bradford, LSU

RD4: DT Cameron Young, Mississippi State

RD5: DE Mike Morris, Michigan

RD5: C Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan

RD6: S Jerrick Reed II, New Mexico

RD7: RB Kenny McIntosh, Georgia

CAROLINA

RD1: QB Bryce Young, Alabama

RD2: WR Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss

RD3: LB DJ Johnson, Oregon

RD4: OG Chandler Zavala, North Carolina State

RD5: S Jammie Robinson, Florida State

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