North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples was among the Panthers’ 30 pre-draft visitors. Coples’ visit occurred on the 12th of March, and Panthers brass met with Coples again on Monday to refresh their memory.
A league source told Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer that Panthers G.M. Marty Hurney and head coach Ron Rivera trekked to Chapel Hill for the club’s second pre-draft meeting with Coples. The Panthers have the ninth pick in the draft and a need at left defensive end. Coples is usually projected as a left end in the pros.
There’s little telling as to whether the Panthers’ 11th-hour meeting with Coples is indicative of genuine interest, or a smokescreen before the draft. As Person does note, the Panthers held a similar meeting with quarterback Cam Newton a year ago.
Days later, Carolina made Newton the No. 1 overall pick.