The Carolina Panthers entered the 2015 NFL Draft with position needs at offensive tackle, wide receiver, defensive back, defensive line, and running back.

The Panthers had several offensive tackles and a couple of running backs graded high on their draft board.

But it was not to be, as tackles Ereck Flowers, Brandon Scherff, D.J. Humphries, and Andrus Peat and running backs Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon were all taken by the time the Panthers picked at #25.

The Panthers entered the draft with nine picks, but after a little “wheeling and dealing” by general manager Dave Gettleman, the Panthers ended with five selections:

Shaq Thompson, LB/S, Washington - 1st Round #25

Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan - 2nd Round #41

Daryl Williams, OT, Oklahoma, - 4th Round #102

David Mayo, LB, Texas State - 5th Round #169

Cameron Artis-Payne, RB, Auburn - 5th Round #174

Gettleman’s mantra for the draft was “position flexibility,”and it showed with his first round pick of hybrid linebacker Thompson.

The question surrounding the Thompson pick is why would the GM select a hybrid player in the first round? “When we take guys in the first round, we’re looking for upside. He’s going to allow us to put three very fast linebackers on the field,” Gettleman said.

Gettleman traded away three picks to move up 16 spots to take Funchess in the second round. Funchess is a big target at 6-5, 230 pounds and has decent speed for a receiver his size.

Offensive coordinator Mike Shula now has two big receivers – Kelvin Benjamin (6-5, 243 pounds) and Funchess, which should cause matchup problems for opposing coordinators.

The entire off-season has been spent primarily focused on protecting franchise quarterback Cam Newton.

With Newton’s new five year, $103 million dollar contract, the Panthers' need at left tackle is their most glaring.

When they didn't select an OT in the first or second rounds, many wondered if they would be able to sufficiently address the need.

Gettleman has lived by “BPA”-best player available and did not want to take a tackle just to take one.

The Panthers exchanged their fourth (#124), fifth (#161), and seventh-round picks (#224) to move up 22 spots to get Williams in the fourth round.

“Daryl is big, he’s powerful and he’s got good enough athletic ability. He’s exactly what we’re looking for,” Gettleman said. “Williams is primarily a right tackle, (but) he’s going to get work on both sides.”

NFL teams do not necessarily draft special teams guys, but general managers and coaches know the importance of the position when selecting in the later rounds.

The Panthers had arguably the worst special teams units last year.

Mayo is a high motor player who fits the “position flexibility” model; he can play strong side or MIKE linebacker. “He’s a high impact player, and that equates very nice to special teams,” head coach Ron Rivera said.

Jonathan Stewart is coming off one of his best seasons, but he has shown a proclivity for getting injured.

Drafting Artis-Payne gives the Panthers another between the tackles back and some much-needed depth at the running back position. “I’m a tough, hard-nosed runner,” said Artis-Payne.

Gettleman noted, “Cameron is a real good tackle box runner. He’s a great kid with good speed. He’s kind of built like a bowling ball. He played at a high level in the SEC and was very productive.”

Extras:

-Speedy wide receiver Corey Brown has gotten stronger and bigger in the off-season, and should be a nice change of pace for the Panthers’ offense.

-Ted Ginn, Jr returned after a year in Arizona. The speedy veteran will upgrade the special teams return unit.

-Receiver Kelvin Benjamin was sidelined during OTAs with a hamstring injury. Benjamin reportedly showed up eight to nine pounds overweight, which the staff believes resulted in the injury.-The Panthers are still looking for a defensive end to replace departed Greg Hardy. Kony Ealy and Mario Addison will get looks this off-season.

-Don’t forget the Panthers signed tackles Michael Oher and Jonathan Martin this offseason.