The Panthers need to add depth to their defensive line. Is Rashan Gary someone to keep an eye on in the upcoming draft?"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Keep Sounding PodcastPanthers 2019 NFL DraftCSR Film RoomCarolina Panthers Film RoomPanthers 2019 NFL DraftFilm room scouting report on defensive tackle Rashan GaryNew Youth Greg Van Roten Jersey ,36commentsThe Panthers need to add depth to their defensive line. Is Rashan Gary someone to keep an eye on in the upcoming draft? EDTShareTweetShareShareFilm room scouting report on defensive tackle Rashan GaryRick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsFormer Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Rashan Gary was arguably the best high school player in the country during his time at Paramus Catholic High. He was a consensus five-star recruit and he was rated as the top recruit in the country according to Rivals, Scout.com, and ESPN. Gary started 21 games in 34 appearances for the Wolverines. Gary had 9.5 sacks, 23.5 tackles-for-loss, and one forced fumble during his three years in Ann Arbor.Gary is an elite athlete. His Combine performance placed him in the 95.5th percentile according to SPARQ. Film reviewGary will be one of the most fascinating evaluations in the 2019 draft. Gary has the tools, athleticism Stitched Greg Van Roten Jersey , and the notoriety as being the top recruit in the country a few years ago. However, his production was just average and he didn’t show much consistency on film. With that said, there are still elite traits that will make any evaluator salivate. Gary does not have a diverse pass rush arsenal. His long arm or bull rush is his go to move, but when he does make contact with the offensive tackle’s chest it’s noteworthy. He is lined up in a Wide-9 position to the right. He uses a long arm, which makes the tackle lose his balance. Gary could have done better though. His footwork at the top of his rush is too choppy. He has to angle it towards the quarterback.Here is an example of Gary using his long arm to collapse the pocket. He overpowers his opponent by extending his arm into the chest. Box score scouting especially for defensive players can be fools gold, but while Gary doesn’t get the sack it’s clear he affected the play. Gary is not refined as a speed rusher yet. He takes too many steps during his path to the quarterback Youth Eric Reid Jersey , which allows the offensive tackle to drop into his set. Gary does have the quickness and the athleticism to compensate for this issue though. It’s all about the support a coaching staff will provide. Gary only makes minimal contact as he’s attempting to win on the edge. He has to convert speed to power by dipping around the arc and using a pass rush move to shed the hands of the tackle. He has upside as a pass rusher, but he clearly has to refine his pass rush moves.Gary does show promise with his counters though. His initial speed rush gets held down, but he’s able to use a swim move to force a pressure. Gary is a much better run defender at this stage of his development. He understands how to set the edge, fill on the backside, and he has a strong motor. On this play, Gary is matched up with the tight end. He locks out Stitched Eric Reid Jersey , but then shows off his play strength by redirecting and shedding the blocker. Gary has an explosive first step, which is not surprising. This enables him to make the initial contact while also keeping his head up for the run. His tackle share percentage according to Sports Info Solutions was 7.0 percent and 5.2 percent in 2017 and 2018 respectively. The pass rush production was certainly lacking, but he still produces as a run defender. Fit with CarolinaGary is not a finished prospect, but it is very rare to find an athletic freak at his size. His tape did show inconsistencies, but that was mainly with his technique. Those areas can be coached. There is a bust potential, but some recent edge rushers who didn’t have gaudy production in college include Danielle Hunter and Cameron Jordan. Gary is a similar prospect. Carolina desperately needs an edge rusher. I doubt Gary would be available past No. 16 Youth Matt Paradis Jersey , but if the Panthers pull the trigger they would be making a risk albeit one that comes with enormous upside. Running back Elijah Hood‘s 2018 season ended on the opening kickoff of the Panthers’ final preseason game, but he’ll be back in Carolina for a shot at a better outcome in 2019.Hood was set for exclusive rights free agency this offseason, which means he would remain under Panthers control as long as the team tendered him a contract. The team did tender Hood a contract and announced on Monday that he has signed it.Hood joined the Panthers off of waivers last May and tore his ACL in that preseason game last August. He was a seventh-round pick of the Raiders in 2017 and appeared in one game during his rookie season.Christian McCaffrey is set as the starting back for the Panthers. Cameron Artis-Payne, Kenjon Barner, Traveris Cadet and Fozzy Whittaker are all set to become free agents next month, so Hood could be in the mix for backup work depending on what other moves the team makes.