Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the NFL shield logo before the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

The Panthers had three selections in the first 50 to start rounds four and five.

With pick 103 overall, a pick acquired from Miami through San Francisco, the Panthers selected Frank Alexander. The interest in this 6’4″, 270 pound defensive end from Oklahoma, means Head Coach Ron Rivera must feel extremely strong about his potential and adding depth to a stagnant D line. Alexander is one of many college players, especially some defensive lineman coming out this year, who at times looked as though his motor wasn’t going 100 percent. But with the right motivation and the right surroundings, this 22 year old may end up being a long-term starter and well worth trading up for.

With pick 104 overall, the Panthers selected Joe Adams, a multifaceted speedster from Arkansas. The selection of this Wide Receiver in the fourth round was a steal. Adams received many late second to third round grades and throughout his Senior season in Fayetteville he showed first round talent. He has 4.5- forty speed in the slot, out wide, returning kicks, or really, wherever you can get him the ball. This pick is one that will force underachievers already at the position to step it up or step out because Joe Adams has all the talent to start and be an asset for Cam Newton game one of the Regular Season.

With pick 143 overall and number 8 of round five, the Panthers selected Josh Norman, a cover corner out of Coastal Carolina. Here is another guy who will not only add competition to the battle for a starting spot(CB), but he will also add depth to position that should now be looked at as a strength. Similar to their previous pick in Joe Adams, Norman was also a player who had several late second to third round grades coming into the Draft. Panthers Defensive Coordinator Sean McDermott had another tall, athletic cornerback who Norman has drawn comparisons to. That corner was Ike Taylor and if that is the type of production Carolina drafted with Josh Norman in the fifth round then I can’t wait to see the guys from rounds 1-4 on the field.

With pick 207 overall and number 37 of round six, the Panthers selected a Punter from the University of Wisconsin. Brad Nortman didn’t do too much punting his final collegiate season but seeing that he was drafted by Carolina to fill a need, I see Brad being a cash saver and punting his way into the NFL out of Training Camp. He does have a strong NFL leg and showed the consistent ability to pin opponents inside their own twenty over three years as the starting punter for the Badgers.

With pick 216 overall and number 9 of round seven, the Panthers selected D.J. Campbell, a Safety from California. He will add depth to a position that is already crowded in Carolina. Charles Godfrey, Sherrod Martin, Jordan Pugh, and the signing of unrestricted free-agents Haruki Nakamura and Reggie Smith makes them six deep with six average and below talents. Campbell will have to make his name on Special Teams to start and could find some time at safety if he makes the team out of camp. If he shows up outworking veterans on and off the field, combined with his athletic abilities already in place, Campbell could end up being the next “Seventh Round to Starter” story.

Carolina gets an A for their Day 3 grade overall. When you see 4 of the five drafted as potential starters and contributors on Day One of the NFL season you win in my book. The Panthers added depth to positions needing it. They added another weapon to an already explosive offense. With a miss in the eyes of many in Round 2, no picks in round 3, Carolina may have HIT big with their selections in rounds four through seven.

Jan 2, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver (81) Justin Blackmon scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal in the 2012 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Oklahoma State defeated Stanford 41-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

In all actuality, this may be one of the most talented Drafts at the position when we look back ten years from now. A few players are coming out a little early adding to the depth, but overall we may see up to three taken in the first round and no less than 12 total should hear their names called sometime during the Draft.

Only a handful of Pro-Days remain for those looking to make a jump up big boards and if your name wasn’t Stephen Hill, you really didn’t standout at the NFL Combine.

Below is my Top 7 and a few “Sleeper Names You May Hear”.

1.) Justin Blackmon   6’1″   207 LBS   OKLAHOMA ST    4.46  40-YD DASH    35 INCH VERTICAL JUMP

Blackmon is very similar to former teammate and fellow Cowboy Dez Bryant in the comparison of production and down rite domination of College Football. After that, off the field and upstairs, Justin Blackmon has continued to separate himself from any comparisons between the two in either regard.

The Oklahoma native piled up 38 receiving touchdowns in two seasons, won two straight Biletnikoff Awards as the nations top receiver, and decided it was time to go pro after just his Junior season. Who can blame him? He is a natural receiver and has shown the ability to run routes like a pro already. His frame and run after catch makes him an all-around wide-out who should be a Bryant-Type, impact player and day one starter in the NFL.

A weakness some may point out is his average blocking.

2.) Michael Floyd   6’3″   22o LBS   NOTRE DAME    4.47 40-YD DASH    36.5 INCH VERTICAL JUMP 

Floyd is a freakish athlete who is in the same category as Blackmon when it comes to showing consistent production, despite defenses knowing and most likely game-planning to stop them. If you haven’t watched the clip of Floyd on ESPN’s Sports Science, check it out and it will make you a believer in his athletic ability. His running vertical (Floyd’s 41.5)  is higher than reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose‘s (40 in.).

With his size and frame, combined with the ability to block well and catch the ball over the middle, I see no reason why the 22 year old from St. Paul, MN won’t be the second receiver off the board come draft day.

3.) Alshon Jeffery  6’3″   213 LBS   SOUTH CAROLINA   4.47 40-YD DASH   36.5 INCH VERTICAL JUMP 

Jeffery has been one of several different players heading into the draft whose stock continues to fluctuate. His weight was down from 216 at his pro day (each of his numbers are from S.CAR pro day) and some speculated he ran his first clocked forty-yard dash at 4.38. This may all be true, well the weight is official at least, but can he keep this pace of hard work and determination heading into the league? Alshon’s size and high level of domination in the SEC without ever having a decent, full-time QB leads me to believe he can excel and be great with an NFL quarterback.

One interesting fact I learned heading into this 2012 Draft was both a positive and somewhat of a negative in the aspect of Steve Spurrier‘s track record with Wide Receivers. He has had 25 Drafted into the NFL, but only one has been a Pro Bowler (Sidney Rice).

4.) Kendall Wright  5’10″  196 LBS   BAYLOR   4.44 40-YD DASH (PRO DAY)  38.5 INCH VERTICAL JUMP

Kendall Wright was on the other end of 14 touchdowns thrown from Heisman Trophy winning teammate RG3 in the Baylor Bears magnificent 2011 football season. After a head-scratching 40 yard dash time at the combine (4.61), Wright headed into his pro day wanting to improve on that.

Though he is not the tallest guy on the field, his quickness and burst off the line make him a deep threat anytime he is on the field. Wright could become a player who is used in several different offensive packages and even on Special Teams just to get the ball in his hands.

5.) Stephen Hill  6’4″   215 LBS  GEORGIA TECH  4.36 40-YD DASH   133.0 INCH BROAD JUMP

Hill finds himself in a situation where he may be punished for the system in which he comes from. As a Yellow Jacket, playing in an option attack, opportunities for him to showcase his receiving skills were not abundant.

Yet, with that Speedy Gonzalez forty time at the combine and perhaps, the breakout success of Demaryius Thomas now outside of the exact same system shows it can be done. Combine Hill’s speed with his size and he will be a number one target in time.

6.) Nick Toon  6’2″   215 LBS   WISCONSIN   4.54 40-YD DASH   37.5 INCH VERTICAL JUMP

Here is another receiver who only found success after being blessed with an efficient quarterback. Toon was in an offense that epitomizes the ground and pound mentality. He runs strong routes and can contribute in the run game as a blocker and not become a liability. Being that he is the son of Wisconsin Hall of Famer and former New York Jet Pro Bowler Al Toon, I see him having the mind and ability to stick around for some time in the NFL.

7.) Rueben Randle  6’3″   210 LBS    LSU      4.55 40-YD DASH   31.0 INCH VERTICAL JUMP

Randle is yet another receiver coming out this year who just didn’t have enough opportunities throughout his collegiate career based on the offense in which his team ran.

Though Randle is not as polished as some of the others ranked above him at the position, his ability to catch the ball anywhere combined with his overall understanding of zones, coverages, and what it takes to win makes his value through the roof later in the draft.

SLEEPER NAMES WHO YOU MAY HEAR:

Joe Adams  5’11″   179 LBS   ARKANSAS 

Adams broke out his Senior season and proved to be a major contributor on a Top Ten offense and Team. He could find himself having success in a situation where he can play both Special Teams and in the slot because of his play-making ability, good hands, and overall speed.

Juron Criner  6’3″  224 LBS   ARIZONA

His career has been up and down but at times he has been as dominate as any receiver in college football. Criner’s great size and powerful athleticism will land him in the NFL, but, can his attitude and occasional disappearing act on the field be a thing of Juron’s past.

Dwight Jones  6’3″  230 LBS   UNC      &       Brian Quick   6’4″   220 LBS   APPALACHIAN STATE

Both of these receivers have the size that NFL teams are always looking for at the WR position.

Jones is very similar in college production and size to former UNC WR , standout Greg Little, who is now with the Cleveland Browns. Quick has all the potential in the world and will have to be in a perfect situation with a coach who knows how to develop young wide-outs. It wouldn’t hurt if they were teamed up with a Pro Bowl quarterback either, in fact they both could be productive as Rookies if in a scenario like that.

Dec. 14, 2008; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis (58) celebrates sacking Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler (6) in the Panthers 30-10 victory against the Broncos at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

Earlier in the week, Davis, who is a Georgia native, was asked a few questions at the Athens Country Club in Athens, GA. He was there as a featured guest and speaker on behalf of the Touchdown Club.

From what I gather, it was an interview at the event, conducted by a journalist for the local Athens Banner-Herald and Thomas Davis. (A link is below for the entire question and answer with Thomas Davis)http://onlineathens.com/sports/college-sports/2012-04-10/5-questions-panthers-lb-former-uga-player-thomas-davis

The 29 year old Davis is attempting something that has yet to be seen in the NFL(in regards to coming back from three straight significant ACL injuries), and was asked “How do you think the knee will hold up?”.

Not only did he feel confident enough to say he would play all 19 games, which would include a grueling playoff push, but the Panther Linebacker also Rex Ryan’d us and went with a Super Bowl prediction.

“I am looking forward to playing the full 19 game season and winning the Super Bowl”

Thomas Davis

Really?

Well, Im not going to expand on the rest of the interview but only this one quote because this is the only part being talked about, and will continue to get talked about and even perhaps made bigger than it should be!

Now is this off-season motivation for NFC South and Carolina opponents heading into the season, maybe. More than that, I know it will add to the pressure Thomas Davis alone will feel throughout the season to not only stay healthy, but contribute in a way that sends his Panthers into the Playoffs.

Though, as of now, heading into the season(not including the draft obviously), Carolina’s defense has three key contributing starters coming back from injuries including Davis. The combination of Davis, Jon Beason,  and Ron Edwards, all returning for the start of this upcoming season will only boost the Panthers defense in a positive way. Each coming back is like adding a free agent or even a starter from the Draft, without the negative even of taking up roster space or costing the team extra money.

The more you think about the comment and really dissect the possibilities, the more it starts to sound not so unreasonable. In a few more weeks, Carolina may have a new starter or two, added via the 2012 Draft. And if that is the case, the thought of a run into at least the Playoffs for the 2012 Panthers isn’t so far fetched.

Offensively, Carolina is primed to continue to set records and run all over NFL defenses for as long as Cam Newton will lead. You add a defense that can make plays and get off the field in a timely manor, Thomas Davis won’t be the only one talking about a run to the Super Bowl.

Like this column? Don’t forget to catch my columns on http://keepingitheel.com/ too, covering everything UNC!