(Stats Perform) – Consider the potential value of new Carolina
Panthers strong safety Jeremy Chinn this way:
He drew comparisons to linebacker Isaiah Simmons in advance of the
NFL Draft.
Simmons was the eighth overall pick, going in the first round to
the Arizona Cardinals Thursday night. The Panthers landed Chinn
with the final pick of the second round – No. 64 overall – Friday
night.
To get Chinn, the Panthers traded up with the Seattle Seahawks,
dealing the No. 69 and 148 picks.
Scouts believe the 6-foot-3, 221-pound Chinn can be used as a big
nickel or cover linebacker in addition to safety. The 2019
first-team FCS All-American became the fourth-highest pick in
Southern Illinois history and the Salukis’ first since the
Minnesota Vikings took tight end MyCole Pruitt in the fifth round
in 2015.
“To be honest, it doesn’t really matter to me if go in the first
round, or go undrafted.” Chinn told CBSSports.com. “At end of the
day you have to prove yourself on the football field, and that’s
what I’m looking forward to doing. Just to get to that level and
compete and show what I can do. I can’t wait for that opportunity.”
Chinn – this year’s first FCS selection out of the FCS – is an
athletic, physical ball hawk, both as a tackler (243 career stops)
and disrupter (13 interceptions, 18 pass breakups, six forced
fumbles and two fumble recoveries). He impressed with his range and
cover skills at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and followed up with
terrific test results at the NFL Combine, including a 4.45-second
40-yard dash, 41-inch vertical and 11-foot-6 broad jump.
“He’s kind of a positionless player for us right now. Not because
he doesn’t have a position, but because we can utilize him in
multiple places,” first-year Panthers coach Matt Rhule said.
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