Analyzing the Panthers Draft: Upsides, Downsides and Needs

May 12, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) stretches during the afternoon workout session at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE

additional needs will be required. Remember they eventually need to get down to 53 plus 5

practice squad members.

Let’s look at this by positions – let’s look at offense first.

Each position shows projected starter followed by backups

QB, Newton, Anderson, Clausen

HB/FB, Tolbert, Brockel

RB, Williams, Stewart, Vaughn

WR, Smith, Gettis, Edwards

WR, Lafell, Pilares, Adams

LOT, Gross, G. Williams, Campbell

LOG, Silatolu, Pollak

C, Kalil, Hangartner, Byers

ROT, Hangartner, Williams, Browning

ROT, Otah, Bell, Zeimba

TE, Olsen, Hartsock, Barnidge

LS, Jansen

P, Nortman

K, Mare, Medlock

Defense

DE, Hardy, Alexander, Norwood

DE, Johnson, Applewhite, Keiser

OLB, Beason, Davis,

ILB, Kuechly, Beason, Senn

OLB Anderson, Phillips,

DT, Edwards, Fua, Kearse

DT, McClain, Shipley, Neblett

CB, Gamble, Butler, Thomas

CB, Mundelin, Hogan, Norman

S, Godfrey, Smith, Davis

S, Martin, Nakamura, Pugh

Needs:

A number 2 wide receiver that could eventually be Steve Smith’s replacement.

Another OLB that could start if Beason or Davis goes down.

Another DT that could immediately start.

Another ROT if Otah doesn’t work out.

A TE to replace Shockey or bringing him back.

Some of these players won’t make the team this year being replaced by the

draftees. Possibilities are Edwards, Neblett, Thomas and Norwood.

9^th pick: Luke Kuechly ILB – Upside –  Always around the ball, solid in pass coverage, smart,

a team leader and best linebacker in the draft. Downside – played on a bad team against

weak competition, safe not flashy.

40^th pick: Amini Silatolu OG – Upside – Nasty side, drives opposing players backwards, solid in

both run and pass protection. Downside – Lacks speed, spent two years at Juco level before

settling for a small college, weak grades, may have trouble with a playbook.

103^rd  pick: Frank Alexander DE – Upside – Aggressive with a good push, good size, 8 and half sacks

final year. Downside – thought to have heart condition at the Combine but found later to be not so,

most had him in the 6^th or 7^th round. Panthers gave up a lot (next year’s 3^rd and this year’s 6^th), so you

would expect for him to start very quickly.

104^th pick: Joe Adams WR – Upside – Rated best return man in draft with 4 td’s his last year, great break

away speed, can play the slot as a receiver, 45 receptions his final year. Downside – Juggled too many

punts, 14 fumbles over his career, needs to bulk up and has some health concerns (minor stroke in ’09 due

to migraines.)

143^rd pick: Josh Norman CB – Upside – can play both CB and S, excellent size, good speed, athletic

and good hands. Downside – Played against weak competition, not a solid tackler and some

attitude concerns and was projected as a late 2^nd, early 3^rd  and then slipped some.

207^th pick: Brad Nortman P – Upside – 42.1 average on 49 punts with 19 inside the 20. Rated 5^th best kicker.

Downside- a stretch at the sixth pick, plus the Panthers plan to bring in another punter to compete.

216^th pick: DJ Campbell S – Upside – good hitter, solid tackler, good speed and special team player.

Downside – Panthers are crowded at the safety position and he will have to stand out to get playing time.

GRADE B.  However, based on how Kuechly and Silatolu do, could be an A.

12 free agents were signed after the draft. Most notable were 4 players that were projected 5^th to 6^th:

Matt Reynolds ORT Brigham Young

Tauren Poole RB Tennessee

Ryan Van Bergen DE Michigan

Will Blackwell C/G LSU

Most likely 2 of these will make the team.