Panthers' First-Round Picks: Franchise Saviors

0:00On April 14th, the Carolina Panthers have nailed some first round draft picks that straight up saved the franchise, putting their number 19. Selection this month in Elite Company. From quarterbacks to linebackers and ed rushers, they've grabbed game-changers who turned losing seasons into contention. Cam Newton in 2011 at number 1 overall was the blueprint for success, earning MVP honors and keeping the team relevant through the decade. Right after, Luke Keckley in 2012 became maybe the best linebacker ever, snagging five first team all pro nods in just eight years. Before Hall of Fame induction, these picks sparked fan excitement and shifted the team's trajectory, preventing irrelevance or even relocation talks. Julius Peppers in 2000 changed defenses as a dominant pass rusher, while Jordan Gross anchored the line for a decade, protecting QBs and paving runs that fans still miss. More recently, Derek Brown in 2020 proved to steal over flashier names, becoming a quiet

1:04superstar on bad teams. Christian McCaffrey picked eighth in 2018, exploded as a two-way threat, carrying the offence solo before his trade. Tedaroa Mcmillan last year, as rookie of the year, has already boosted Bryce Young toward an extension, showing how one smart first-rounder flips, fortunes amid the bust.