Panthers 2018 season opener countdown: 15 days to go We are 18 days away from the beginning of the Carolina Panthers 2018 season. That means today we take a closer look at wide receiver Jamaal Jones.Jamaal Jones Youth James Bradberry Jersey , Wide receiverBioHeight: 6’ 1”Weight: 190 lbsAge: 25College: MontanaNFL Experience: 1 yearJamaal Jones was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chargers in 2016 and was signed by the Panthers 2017 and placed on the practice squad, where he spent the entire 2017 season.Since Jones has never appeared in an NFL game, here’s a brief summary of his college career courtesy of the Panthers’ team site:Jones is unlikely to make the roster as the Panthers already have a solid group of six wide receivers ahead of him on the depth chart, but he could be an option to keep on the practice squad in a ‘break glass in case of emergency’ role—kinda like a younger version of Brenton Bersin. The fourth preseason game will probably tell the story of what happens with Jones this season Stitched James Bradberry Jersey , so he’s definitely one to look for next Thursday against the Steelers. Newfound stability in the front office may lead to continued success on draft day."It’s only one year in, but the Carolina Panthers’ 2018 draft class is already looking like a home run. D.J. Moore, Donte Jackson, and Ian Thomas are a promising group of young athletes who are poised to become multi-year starters at their respective positions. Hitting on three out of eight picks might not seem like a good rate Youth Vernon Butler Jersey , but it is far better than the Panthers have been averaging for years. Factor in that five of those picks were in the fourth round or later, which are more akin to lottery tickets, and you could say that fans have every reason to be happy with the 2018 draft.Some of you are going to complain about Rashaan Gaulden here. Some of you should let that go. For one thing, the jury is still out on him Stitched Vernon Butler Jersey , even if the evidence doesn’t favor optimism on his behalf. For another, it’s one pick in an otherwise stellar class. The Panthers could be better right now for a different pick. They aren’t and the 2018 draft is well finished by this point. There are no take backs. Let’s move on.The quality of that draft after the most tumultuous period in the history of the Carolina Panthers is a great sign of things to come. For all that we complain about general manager Marty Hurney’s draft history —his boom or bust nature is as legendary as it is terrifying— we have to acknowledge that his leadership combined with the scouting department he inherited from Dave Gettleman improved the roster from 2017 to 2018.Gettleman stole away a couple of his lieutenants after the draft, but the Panthers scouting department was not pilfered by him or other teams during the rapid changes at the higher levels of the organizations. A few guys got promotions and a few new voices were brought in, but the promising thing is that the bulk of the talent that led to last year’s draft class has been retained.Consistently good draft classes start with consistently good scouts. 2019 presents the Panthers with the opportunity to prove they have those. The draft is about projection and hope. It is the idea that there is untapped greatness both in sight and hiding under rocks Youth Taylor Moton Jersey , all of which is waiting for your favorite team to take advantage. It’s how some teams become good and why so few stay that way. It’s why that consistency matters.The Panthers aren’t going to draft Pro Bowlers with each of their seven picks. Every Thomas is always balanced by one or more Gauldens. The 2019 draft probably won’t propel this team to Super Bowl LIV. But another three rookies that are talented enough to win starting jobs in the NFL would be a good start. The reason behind that start will probably be Carolina’s very recent stability.