NFL power rankings: Post-2019 NFL Draft breakdown for all 32 teams

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: Brian Burns of Florida State reacts after being chosen #16 overall by the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Carolina Panthers. 22. team. 87. . . Previous:

Panthers’ Drafted Players Table

Rnd	Player	Pick	Pos	College/Univ
1	Brian Burns	16	DE	Florida St.
2	Greg Little	37	OT	Mississippi
3	Will Grier	100	QB	West Virginia
4	Christian Miller	115	LB	Alabama
5	Jordan Scarlett	154	RB	Florida
6	Dennis Daley	212	OT	South Carolina
7	Terry Godwin	237	WR	Georgia

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/1/2019.

The Carolina Panthers get a nice little boost in NFL power rankings, thanks to their top two picks in the draft, which solved some pretty pressing needs.

Carolina lost future Hall of Fame edge rusher Julius Peppers to retirement this offseason. So getting arguably the best pure pass-rusher in the NFL Draft, Florida State’s Brian Burns, was about as smart a move as possible at No. 16 overall. The Panthers offensive line also needed an upgrade at tackle, so grabbing Ole Miss’ Greg Little proved to be smart, too.

Unfortunately, the 2019 draft proved to be a little too top-heavy at wide receiver, and the Panthers are still in need of a go-to weapon after letting Devin Funchess walk in free agency.

Of course, the Panthers’ upcoming campaign will hinge almost entirely on the kind of play quarterback Cam Newton delivers.

Hopefully that 2018 second-half collapse won’t be in the cards for head coach Ron Rivera and Co. again, which pummeled them towards the bottom of NFL power rankings when the year came to a close.