Panthers NFL Draft Rumors: Everything You Need To Know Heading Into Draft Week

The 2015 NFL Draft is just a few days away, and there’s plenty of reason to be excited about the festivities in Chicago if you’re a Carolina Panthers fan. Here’s our breakdown of everything Panthers fans need to know heading into draft week.

Carolina To Target LSU OT La'el Collins?

The Carolina Panthers are on a mission to find Cam Newton some protection on his blind side for the 2015 NFL season and beyond, and LSU Tigers OT La’el Collins may be the man targeted to fit the bill.

Speaking at the Senior Bowl, Collins told reporters that the Panthers have inquired about him through former LSU teammate Trai Turner.

“I haven’t (spoken to the Panthers), but Trai has told me that their offensive line coach (John Matsko) has asked a lot about me,” Collins said to the Charlotte Observer‘s Jonathan Jones last Tuesday. “It’s another great opportunity.”

Panthers taking close look at Shaq Thompson

Carolina is taking a close look at Washington safety/linebacker/running back Shaq Thompson, according to ProFootballTalk, with the hope of turning him into one of their better defensive players:

Thompson won the 2014 Paul Hornung Award, which goes to the most versatile player in college football.  As he explained this week onPFT Live on NBC Sports Radio, Thompson has made the “business decision” to play defense.

Thompson’s ability to play safety and linebacker makes Carolina an obvious potential fit, given that the Panthers drafted Thomas Davis as a safety 10 years ago and made him into a linebacker.

Follow our Carolina Panthers team page for all the latest Panthers news and rumors!

Back to the Carolina Panthers Newsfeed