Post-free agency full NFL two-round mock: Redskins trade down

The Panthers need a lot of things right now, and surprisingly, quarterback is no longer on the list. That might change if Teddy Bridgewater doesn’t perform up to par in his first season with the team, but for now, the Panthers are sleeper candidates to trade back, acquire more picks, and attack their list of needs head on.

With All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly retiring, the Panthers need a new presence at the linebacker position to carry on his workload, and while he’s not the same type of player, Isaiah Simmons has a similar kind of All-Pro upside, if used right.

Simmons is a linebacker for all commercial purposes, but on tape, that label doesn’t do him justice. He moves just about everywhere in the second and third levels, even serving as a slot cornerback on occasional snaps. The NFL Combine reinforced Simmons’ athleticism, as the Clemson product logged a 4.39 40-yard dash and a 39-inch vertical at 6-foot-4, 230.

Simmons isn’t just an athlete for show, either; he’s a smart player, and he’s physical too. The Panthers, first and foremost, need to add sheer talent to catalyze their rebuild, and at No. 12, Simmons is far and away the best player left on the board.