CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A breakdown of the Carolina Panthers 2017 draft class and its progress after three weeks of training camp:
Christian McCaffrey, RB, first round (No. 8 overall): You may have seen it before, but this quote from starting running back Jonathan Stewart sums up the impression the former Stanford star has made: "He’s pretty unstoppable as far as coming out of the backfield and running routes. I can tell you now there’s not going to be anybody in the league that can cover him one on one." McCaffrey lines up at running back, wide receiver, slot receiver and behind the center in the Wildcat. He excels at all positions, which is why he was billed as the most versatile and dynamic player in the draft. When you can juke Pro Bowl middle linebacker Luke Kuechly as McCaffrey has multiple times in camp, that pretty much says it all.
Curtis Samuel, WR, second round (No. 40 overall): The most disappointing part of training camp so far for coach Ron Rivera has been the former Ohio State star not getting to practice after re-aggravating the hamstring injury that hampered him during OTAs. Samuel is "McCaffrey Lite," able to shift between slot receiver and running back to keep defenses off balance. He still is expected to be a factor this season. He just may not be fully implemented in the system by the Sept. 10 opener.
Taylor Moton, OT, second round (No. 64 overall): He hasn’t impressed enough to push Daryl Williams out of the starting right tackle spot. But he has impressed enough with his flexibility to play right and left tackle that Rivera said the former Western Michigan standout can help the team this season. Depth, particularly at tackle, was the biggest issue on the line after Michael Oher was released/injured with a concussion. Moton has helped lessen that concern.
Daeshon Hall, DE, third round (No. 77 overall): He’s still a project, and that’s OK because the Panthers don’t need him to contribute immediately at a position where the Panthers are deep with Julius Peppers, Charles Johnson, Mario Addison and Wes Horton. But he’s flashed enough, including two quarterback hurries in the preseason opener, to show why former general manager Dave Gettleman was so high on him on draft day.
Corn Elder, CB, fifth round (No. 152 overall): Like Samuel, the former Miami star was a spectator during the Wofford College portion of camp because of a knee injury. The Panthers were -- and still are -- hoping he can be a factor as a backup to Captain Munnerlyn at nickel. The good news is undrafted rookie Cole Luke has gotten more time at the position and made enough of an impression that he could get a roster spot.
Alex Armah, FB, sixth round (No. 192 overall): You can see why the Panthers liked the former West Georgia defensive end as a project at fullback/H-back. He has the size (6-foot-2, 253 pounds) to be a force as a leader blocker, and he has good hands coming out of the backfield. He’s still probably a year away, and will be a long shot to make the 53-man roster with the Panthers high on Darrel Young.
Harrison Butker, seventh round (No. 233 overall): The 51-yard field goal he nailed in the preseason opener against Houston showed his leg strength and why he was the first place-kicker drafted in Carolina history. He’s not out of the competition, but veteran Graham Gano has been more consistent during camp and appears poised to keep his job.