The Carolina Panthers and every NFL franchise receives grades on their draft class each year immediately following the picks. While it might be unfair to assign a grade to players that have yet to take a snap in the NFL, a year later we have a better idea of what the prospects can do.

So we look back to the 2016 NFL draft to re-grade each pick and talk about what each player has done and how they fit into the team moving forward.

Related Rookie Vernon Butler showing quick progression in training camp

First round (No. 31): Vernon Butler, DT

Grade: C+

The Panthers’ first-round pick was not at a dramatic need, but might have been their best player available in defensive tackle Vernon Butler. Butler didn’t get a chance to really shine thanks to an ankle injury during the season. However, by the end of his rookie campaign, we started to see flashes of greatness from Butler and what he might become.

Still, Carolina had more pressing needs that could have been addressed here. Sadly, offensive tackle wasn’t one of them as few were taken in the second and third rounds, making any a reach at this point. However, a potent pass rusher would have been nice to grab and Noah Spence went only a few picks later to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, gaining them 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2016.

Second round (No. 62): James Bradberry, CB

Grade: A

James Bradberry came up next and was the start of a three-pick stretch that saw the Panthers grab cornerbacks. Out of the three, Bradberry easily cemented himself as the best one in 2016 and even eased the pain of losing Josh Norman.

Which is why Bradberry gets an “A” grade from me. He’s on a rookie contract, played at a similar level to how Norman fared with the Washington Redskins and can still improve from here. It’s everything you want out of a draft pick in their rookie years and you can see a clear path for Bradberry to become one of the best cornerbacks in the league shortly. I don’t think I’d draft anyone else in this spot if I could.

Third round (No. 77): Daryl Worley, CB

Grade: B-

Worley is where things start to get interesting for the Panthers. While he didn’t have a great season, he is a third-round selection which isn’t an unusual turnout in their rookie years. But looking throughout the third-round, I don’t see anyone else that I’d want more than Worley.

Personally, I think Worley could be a great slot cornerback in the future with the flexibility to play on the outside, almost like Bene Benwikere used to do for Carolina. However, that skill set doesn’t easily translate over from college to the NFL meaning it might take some time for Worley to fully get his feet under him and playing with instinct instead of having to think first and then react.

I give Worley a “B-” grade because the Panthers traded up to get him only to get a lackluster rookie outing. But still Worley showed he can get the job done and has the physical traits to become better with time.

Fifth round (No. 141): Zack Sanchez, CB

Grade: D

I like what Zack Sanchez brings to the table and this might be unfair to grade him after only one season as the Panthers are clearly trying to train him for a slot role. But when I look at the fifth round, I see a quality defensive end, depth at offensive tackle and a speedy wide receiver that could replace Ted Ginn Jr. and potentially be significantly better.

With that type of talent on the board, grabbing a third cornerback in what looks to be a desperate attempt to replace Norman, it is almost a wasted pick of sorts. Carolina might not have grabbed a star player in this round, but starting-quality talent was still around at positions of need that would save them some headache this offseason.

Because of that and likely the extended time it will take Sanchez to get used to the NFL game, I have to grade this below average with a “D” rating.

Seventh Round (No. 252): Beau Sandland, TE

Grade: C

Being the next-to-last pick in the NFL draft, there isn’t much wiggle room in who else you could grab. And for what it’s worth, I still like what Beau Sandland brings to tight end, even if he is raw across the board and now with the Green Bay Packers.

Given that the Panthers grabbed the hottest undrafted talent following the draft, there isn’t even anyone that I could say they should have drafted to ensure they were on the roster. That makes this pick an average “C” grade. I’m sure there is someone that could have been drafted in this spot instead, just as I’m sure the selection could have been worse.

Overall: B-

This isn’t the greatest draft I’ve ever seen and a lot relies on players taking a leap in future seasons for it to really pan out. However, whenever you get an immediate starter and someone already nearing the top of their position in the NFL after their rookie season, I count that draft as a success.

Time will tell if this grade changes any, but with the potential Carolina has here, it very well could go to an “A” grade if Butler or Worley pan out in the next season or two.