Niner Noise
FanSided

2019 NFL Draft: Early Round 1 mock for all 32 teams across the league

By Peter Panacy

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A Dallas Cowboys fan cheers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A Dallas Cowboys fan cheers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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CHESTNUT HILL, MA – SEPTEMBER 1:Lukas Denis #21 of the Boston College Eagles runs for a touchdown against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Alumni Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA – SEPTEMBER 1:Lukas Denis #21 of the Boston College Eagles runs for a touchdown against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Alumni Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Boston College. Lukas Denis. 24. player. 87. . Free Safety

The Carolina Panthers have been getting by with a sub-par secondary for years. And one could argue the defensive backfield hasn’t been the same ever since cornerback Josh Norman departed for the Redskins in 2016.

Cornerback is a need. But so is safety. It will be interesting to see if Carolina re-signs strong safety Eric Reid in 2019. But finding a long-term replacement for 37-year-old veteran Mike Adams would be a smart move at free safety.

Adams is in a contract year anyway.

Boston College’s Lukas Denis would be a smart choice here. At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, Denis does need to add a bit of weight. But he’s a fluid athlete, capable of moving to both sides of the field and providing excellent over-the-top coverage.