Carolina Panthers: First-Round Draft Options Abundant Post-Combine

The Carolina Panthers looked to the NFL Combine to find the players needed to help rebuild this team, and these are some of the players to keep an eye on.

The Carolina Panthers came into the 2017 NFL Combine with a set of plan of attack and, after the last few days of review, it will be interesting to see who the team selects with their No. 8 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. While LSU's Leonard Fournette leapt off the page before the week of testing, there are other players that could be potential options when the fateful day comes around.

Fournette seems like a clear choice for Carolina as the team prepares to end the tenure of Jonathan Stewart. Stewart still has value to this organization when healthy, but it would be a mistake for leadership to not begin focusing on his replacement. Cameron Artis-Payne has not panned out as a viable alternate and the job seems ripe for Fournette to take away.

The former LSU running back measured at 6-1 and 240 pounds at the Combine, solid size for his style of running. When coupled with his 4.51-second 40-yard dash speed, he shows the ability to break away and create big plays on a moment's notice.

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One of the biggest questions surrounding Fournette is whether or not he would be a strong option as a pass-catching running back, which is an important part to the Panthers offense. His skills didn't seem spectacular during his collegiate years, but he looked like he improved in this area during the Combine, surely pleasing Panthers leadership. If he's available at the eight slot, it would be hard to see the Panthers passing up on him as they continue to retool for the future.

However, if Fournette is off the board, there are other opportunities available for the Panthers.

Jabrill Peppers jumps off the page as a defensive playmaker that would fit well into the Panthers' young secondary. The departure of both Charles Tillman and Josh Norman really left a void and, while Peppers may not be an immediate solution, he showed the abilities and production at the college level to be the type of player that could be groomed into the position. Speed in the defensive backfield is always a killer and, with a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, Peppers turned heads during the combine.

Long-term replacements could be the theme if the Panthers picked up O.J. Howard from Alabama. Greg Olsen has put together some of his best career years as a member of the Panthers and doesn't seem to be slowing down. But that doesn't mean Carolina should not keep an eye on the future of the position and Howard is a strong fit for the job. Tight end is a key position for a quarterback such as Cam Newton as he runs routes well and is a strong blocker. His position-leading 4.51-second 40-yard dash time does not hurt the potential for him to be a high draft selection as well.

The NFL Combine is a great opportunity to measure the physical tools of incoming rookies. While it's not the end all, be all to tell who will become a standout player, there are moments of intrigue that help some athletes catch attention at the right time. As the Carolina Panthers prepare for the draft, they have a bevy of options to choose from that can help them progress.