The Panthers have the No. 16 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

"There’s no denying the Carolina Panthers need to improve their pass rush. Once a staple of past great Carolina teams Blue Jarius Wright Jersey , the pass rush was a giant blemish throughout the 2018 season. Julius Peppers (who just turned 39) was due to become a free agent in March, but he announced his retirement beginning of February. The Panthers will need to address the absence of the Hall of Famer defensive end in the 2019 NFL Draft. Usually drafting a defensive end high in the draft is thought of as a risk. But considering the Panthers’ dire need and what they currently have on roster, there’s no question that Carolina needs to take advantage of the pool of talented defensive ends entering this year’s draft. In Dan Kadar’s latest mock draft for SB Nation, he continues to project that the Panthers will address their need at the pass rush with the No. 16 overall pick.Last week, Kadar predicted that Carolina would take Clelin Ferrell at No. 16. While Kadar still mocks the Panthers to take a defensive end at No. 16, this week it’s Montez Sweat. My takeSweat is an interesting specimen. At the Senior Bowl, he measured at 6-foot-6 and 252 pounds. Yet Jarius Wright Jersey 2019 , it was his wingspan that was even more impressive. With arms that measure across at 84.5 inches, he recorded the longest ever wingspan for an edge prospect since the NFL Combine’s information became public in 1999. In his two years at Mississippi State, he recorded 30 tackles for loss and and 22.5 sacks. During the Senior Bowl, it was clear that his length was an advantage as he was able to surpass blockers. He also showed off his speed and strength. On paper, he definitely seems like a legit pick. However, despite his mighty hand techniques and ability to defend the run, Sweat has his limitations on lateral mobility. His tight hips and upright stance allow him to be riddled in the pocket. He may be a liability if he’s depended on to create separation by changing direction quickly. While he’s a combination of both developed skills and potential Blue Da’Norris Searcy Jersey , he’s not quite a finished product. Do the Panthers really have time to teach Sweat the fundamentals on how to convert speed to power? Or are the Panthers better off drafting one of the other polished defensive ends? CAROLINA (6-3) at DETROIT (3-6)Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FoxOPENING LINE - Panthers by 3RECORD VS. SPREAD - Carolina 5-4, Detroit 5-4SERIES RECORD - Panthers lead 6-2LAST MEETING - Panthers beat Lions 27-24, Oct. 8, 2017LAST WEEK - Panthers lost to Steelers 52-21; Lions lost to Bears 34-22AP PRO32 RANKING - Panthers No. 8, Lions No. 25PANTHERS OFFENSE - OVERALL (18) Da’Norris Searcy Jersey 2019 , RUSH (3), PASS (24).PANTHERS DEFENSE - OVERALL (15), RUSH (9), PASS (7).LIONS OFFENSE - OVERALL (23), RUSH (23), PASS (22).LIONS DEFENSE - OVERALL (19), RUSH (28) Greg Little Carolina Panthers Jersey , PASS (8).STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES - Carolina QB Cam Newton threw for 355 yards and three touchdowns in last meeting with Lions. Detroit's Matthew Stafford threw for 229 yards and two TDs. ... Panthers DE Mario Addison has 3 陆 sacks in past two meetings with Lions. ... Carolina has intercepted 11 passes this season, while Detroit has just three INTs. ... Panthers' Christian McCaffrey is one of three NFL RBs with at least 50 receptions and 1,000 yards from scrimmage this season. ... Carolina CB Donte Jackson leads all rookies with four interceptions. ... Panthers' Greg Olsen has 661 receptions and needs two to move into fifth place on career list for TEs. He needs 105 yards receiving to move into seventh place for TEs. ... Since 2013, Panthers are 26-14 in games decided by seven points or fewer. They have won five straight games decided by three or fewer. ... Stafford is third in NFL since 2011 with 34,332 yards passing. ... Detroit's Kerryon Johnson is second among rookies with 757 yards from scrimmage and fourth with 554 yards rushing. ... Lions have allowed 16 sacks in last two games. ... Detroit has only gone three-and-out on 11.2 percent of possessions, third-best mark in league. ... Stafford set for 122nd consecutive start Blue Greg Little Jersey , which would tie Joe Flacco for sixth-longest streak among QBs. ... Lions K Matt Prater is 45 of 60 in career from at least 50 yards. ... Stafford has not thrown more than 13 INTs since 2013, but he's at eight already this season. ... Fantasy tip: Newton has thrown at least two TD passes in eight straight games, longest streak in franchise history.