Panthers 2018 season opener countdown: 34 days to go We’re 37 days away from the Panthers kicking off their 2018 season. That means today’s countdown piece is about running back Cameron Artis-Payne.Cameron Artis-PayneBioHeight: 5’10”Weight: 215 lbsAge: 28College: AuburnNFL Experience: 4 yearsArtis-Payne is the second Cameron the Panthers have drafted out of Auburn during Ron Rivera’s tenure as head coach. While both are offensive players
Stitched Dontari Poe Jersey , Artis-Payne’s career has been some what less noteworthy than that of the other Cameron, a quarterback named Cameron Newton. This difference can be largely explained by their relative draft positions, years, and roles on the field.Newton was selected with the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft to play quarterback
Youth Torrey Smith Jersey , a position that some experts argue as the most important on the field for the offense. Artis-Payne, meanwhile, was selected somewhere in the 5th round of the 2015 draft as a running back. Newton has had some clear advantages in circumstance.Artis-Payne has done admirably with what he has been given. He has sat behind first round running backs Jonathan Stewart and Christian McCaffrey and even had to fight for back-up duties with coaches’ favorite Fozzy Whittaker. For all of that, Artis-Payne has continued to earn a roster spot with the Panthers every year and has produced solidly — if
Stitched Torrey Smith Jersey , perhaps, unspectacularly — whenever he has seen the field.This season he is still sitting behind two stellar running back talents in McCaffrey and former Denver Broncos star CJ Anderson. Artis-Payne’s roster spot is probably safe so long as his training camp performance lives up to his history of production in the Panthers’ offense. He will, however, face challenges from Kenjon Barner and Elijah Hood. Production in preseason games will be the key to how the Panthers settle on their running back rotation and how they decide which players make the cut. This is part two of a series looking at potential trade up scenarios for the Panthers in the NFL Draft."In part one of this two-part series I reviewed the possibilities of the Panthers trading up in the first round to obtain a pass rusher. In part two let’s look at the more likely scenario. The Panthers draft a different position in the first round at No. 16
Youth David Mayo Jersey , such as an offensive tackle. It would make sense wouldn’t it? In a draft heavy in defensive linemen there is a good chance a good one slips to the latter third of the first round. That would put the Panthers in range by offering the Panthers’ second round pick (No. 47) plus a second or third round pick in next year’s draft depending on how far they need to jump up into the first round. Given the number of defensive linemen with first round grades I can almost guarantee there will be a pass rusher available in the mid to late 20s. With luck a player like Clelin Ferrell or Montez Sweat could slide into the 20s. Certainly Florida defensive end Jachai Polite could be there though I hear he butchered the interview process at the combine. I admit though his tape is impressive. He is really good at getting under the tackles pads and taking the short path to the quarterback.Jaylon Ferguson had 45 sacks at Louisiana Tech in four seasons. Yes he played at the FBS level but the kid has football instincts. You just have to get past the level of competition.Zack Allen from Boston College could be a target early in the second round. I’m sure Luke Kuechly would welcome a fellow Eagle on the Panthers defense. Allen would not require an extra second round pick to move up, more like a third or maybe the Panthers third round compensatory pick.If we now flip the script and instead assume the Panthers selected a pass rusher in the first round a trade up for a tackle could be in the cards. There should be a couple good prospects that could be available late in the first round or early second. Dalton Risner, Cody Ford, or Greg Little would be good addition to the Panthers offensive line. The Panthers may find the chance to land a starting caliber tackle with a couple mid round picks too tempting to pass up.After last season’s second half meltdown general manager Marty Hurney and head coach Ron Rivera might feel the need to turn things around in a hurry. For this reason trading a future pick might not seem as risky as in past offseasons. Another seven-win season or worse and it will be the next general manager having to deal with the 2020 draft. For this reason I expect the Panthers to be active during this upcoming draft.