Panthers third-round pick Daryl Worley: ‘Calculated risk’ to ‘total package’

10:23 AM ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – West Virginia defensive coordinator Tony Gibson says the Carolina Panthers got the “total package’’ in third-round draft pick Daryl Worley.

“Obviously, his biggest attribute is his size,’’ Gibson told ESPN.com of the 6-foot-1, 202-pound cornerback. “He’s been our best corner the last two years. He’s battle tested. He played against some of the best wideouts on the college level.

“He just gives you the total package . . . size and smarts.’’

But Gibson originally called Worley’s decision to enter the NFL draft a year early a “calculated risk.” He said Worley “shorted himself a couple of rounds and maybe a couple of million dollars.’’

Daryl Worley is an “aggressive, physical kid” who brings “size and smarts” to the Panthers, according to his college defensive coordinator. Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire

It had nothing to do with Worley’s 2014 battery charge that ultimately was expunged from the player’s record after he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault.

It had everything to do with believing Worley, who will participate in a two-day rookie minicamp beginning on Friday, needed another year to fully reach his potential.

He wasn’t alone. West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen reportedly said in January it was the school’s recommendation that Worley not enter the draft.

“We did a big report and the report came back that he should stay in school,” Holgorsen said at the time.

Worley made the decision to enter the draft after missing the team’s Cactus Bowl game against Arizona State because he was declared academically ineligible.

According to Holgorsen …

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