NFL Draft: Potential Landing spots for Austin Proehl
Carolina Panthers
Let’s now go to the Panthers and call them the sentimental pick. Austin Proehl’s dad, Ricky, played for the Panthers for three seasons from 2003-2005 and even helped the team reach the Super Bowl in 2004. Ricky Proehl also served as the Panthers wide receivers coach from 2013-16.
The Panthers are also in need of receivers. Last season the team’s top two receivers were Devin Funchess, a college tight end, and Christian McCaffrey, a college running back. The next best receiver on the team, Kelvin Benjamin, was traded to Buffalo last season.
Overall, the Panthers finished last season 28th in receiving yards and 29th in receptions. In other words, they need a couple of receivers, especially after not signing any so far in free agency. If the Panthers wanted to make sure they got Proehl they could take him with pick 242 in the seventh round.
Additionally having played high school ball at Providence in Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as college at UNC, Proehl would be popular amongst the fans.
The biggest issue here is playing time. McCaffrey, along with Russell Shepherd and Curtis Samuel all play in the area that Proehl would be best suited in. What the Panthers really need is another big body like Funchess and that just isn’t Proehl.
If Proehl did sign with the Panthers as an undrafted free agent he would have a hard time climbing up the depth chart, which would be a negative for the Panthers as he looked for that right team.