1 13 Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon
1 19 Jeff Otah T Pittsburgh
3 67 Charles Godfrey FS Iowa
3 74 Dan Connor LB Penn State
5 141 Gary Barnidge TE Louisville
6 181 Nick Hayden DT Wisconsin
7 221 Hilee Taylor DE North Carolina
7 241 Geoff Schwartz T Oregon
7 250 Mackenzy Bernadeau G Bentley

Jonathan Stewart is a very big, strong back with soft hands…but again, round one. Otah had great talent but horrible knees and just could not stay healthy. Godfrey starts today, but is average at best and overpaid. Connor played well for a few years but was fragile. Barnridge was a bust. Hayden was a backup/spot starter. Taylor was a bust. Schwartz started some games in 2010 but done nothing else in his career, now in Minnesota. Bernadeau was a bust.

Grade: C-minus. Stewart is a keeper but once AGAIN, you’re supposed to nail your first-rounder. That’s when the pickins are easy! Otah’s inuries kept him from playing much, but he did have talent. Godfrey should be a better player than his draft status would indicate. Same with Connor and injuries – he’s a reserve in Dallas these days. Schwartz missed all of 2011. 1 borderline star (Stewart) and one average at best safety here.

2009:

RD SEL # PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL
2 43 Everette Brown DE Florida State
2 59 Sherrod Martin DB Troy
3 93 Corvey Irvin DT Georgia
4 111 Mike Goodson RB Texas A&M
4 128 Tony Fiammetta RB Syracuse
5 163 Duke Robinson G Oklahoma
7 216 Captain Munnerlyn DB South Carolina

I forget all the hijinks involved, but with two first-rounders the previous season and none in ’09, it appears they traded up for one of the guys last season. This draft, Brown was a bust. Martin is still around as a reserve, having started a couple of seasons but a capable reserve. Irvin is a deep reserve. Goodson seems capable, therefore he was let go (due to crowded backfield) this preseason. Fiammetta was a bust. Robinson has had 11 career carries as a fullback. Robinson was a bust. Munnerlyn is a starter today.

Grade: D. And a “D” only because of Munnerlyn. Getting a starter out of the 7th round is the ultimate pick, but he blew pretty much the entire draft other than a below-average starter in Martin and a decent RB in Goodson that they had to get rid of due to a crowded backfield and got nothing for him.

Oct 21, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) dives for the touchdown during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE

2010:

RD SEL # PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL
2 48 Jimmy Clausen QB Notre Dame
3 78 Brandon LaFell WR LSU
3 89 Armanti Edwards WR Appalachian State
4 124 Eric Norwood DE South Carolina
6 175 Greg Hardy DE Mississippi
6 198 David Gettis WR Baylor
6 202 Jordan Pugh FS Texas A&M
6 204 Tony Pike QB Cincinnati
7 223 R.J. Stanford CB Utah
7 249 Robert McClain CB Connecticut

Clausen was a bust as they drafted a QB with the top pick the next year. LaFell is a decent player coming into his own, if a bit slowly. Edwards is a career backup. Norwood has been a bust. Hardy is with the team as a reserve and a decent body to have in the rotation so he’s useful. Gettis was looking good as a rookie before injury and hasn’t played since so the jury’s still out there. Pugh is a backup with the Redskins. Pike never did a thing. Stanford and McClain are backups elsewhere.

Grade: D. LaFell is finally developing into a solid #2 WR but unspectacular. Edwards is a backup and Gettis’ injuries have hampered his development. WR-heavy draft with little to show for it overall.

2011:

RD SEL # PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL
1 1 Cam Newton QB Auburn
3 65 Terrell McClain DT South Florida
3 97 Sione Fua DT Stanford
4 98 Brandon Hogan CB West Virginia
5 132 Kealoha Pilares WR Hawaii
6 166 Lawrence Wilson LB Connecticut
6 203 Zack Williams C Washington State
7 244 Lee Ziemba T Auburn

Newton is Newton, but there’s no such a thing as a “steal” with the top pick. You either nail it or you screw up (Tim Couch, JaMarcus Russell). McClain and Fua so far are in the “bust” category. Hogan and Pilares as well. Wilson and Williams never played a single game, and Ziemba at the end of the draft has played only in 6 – all last season – with no starts.

Grade: D-minus. Once again, you’re SUPPOSED to strike gold with a first-rounder, and the Panthers apparently did with the #1 overall, but by definition it cannot be a “value” pick of any sort. Newton is struggling along with the entire team this season, but I’d say he’s overall a much better player faster than anyone thought coming in, which saves this draft from having a flat “F.”

Oct 7, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) brings down Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate (81) during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE

2012:

1 9 Luke Kuechly LB Boston College
2 40 Amini Silatolu G Midwestern State
4 103 Frank Alexander DE Oklahoma
4 104 Joe Adams WR Arkansas
5 143 Josh Norman CB Coastal Carolina
6 207 Brad Nortman P Wisconsin
7 216 D.J. Campbell FS California

Kuechly, a top-ten pick, looks to be on his way to being an All-Pro…someday. Silatolu is the starting LG but still making too many miscues. Alexander is coming along nicely as they traded up a bit to get him and apparently was worth it. Adams has had an up and down rookie year – currently down. Norman is seeing playing time due to injuries, but plays like a rookie. At least he’s contributing. Nortman is the punter – no surprise if you actually draft one instead of picking one up as a UFA (undrafted free agent). Campbell has talent, but is a project-type player.

Grade: Solid A. Kuechly is everything they thought and possibly even more. The kid is gonna make a lot of stops in his career. Silatolu is still rough around the edges but has ability and a motor that won’t quit, so he should be able to be coached up into a dominant guard someday. Alexander is showing some pass-rushing ability that they wanted when they traded to pick him. Adams has shown a couple of flashes of brilliance at punt returning, but needs to learn how to secure the ball. Norman is contributing as a rookie but is often burned – it’s hard for any CB to come in the league and excel from day one. Nortman’s a punter, ehhh whatever. Campbell will take time to do anything, if he ever will.

Oddly enough, Hurney’s latest and last draft would seem to be his best one, but as in all drafts, it takes some time to see how the players grow…or not. The “A” assumes Adams will fix his fumbling issues and will eventually contribute as a slot WR and that Norman will eventually be perhaps a nickel corner. Too early to tell.

Overall second-half draft grade: D-plus. Too many missed targets in too many drafts.

Taking his first-half “C” into account, averaging it with a D-plus, we come up with a C-minus…and I actually feel that’s a bit generous. Hurney had waaaay too many drafts where all that was gotten out of it was their top pick, and the others either are out of the league or end-of-bench backup types with very very few good role-players or 3rd-round or later picks that actually developed well. James Anderson and Ryan Kalil are pretty much it, folks.

With an 11-year span averaging a generous “C-minus” your team, with average coaching, would be a perennial 5-11, 6-10-type of team and the fact the Panthers have been unable to have back-to-back winning seasons under his watch starts with the players he has selected. I see ZERO late-round gems and very few mid-round stars in his 11 years.

It makes me wonder how in the world he lasted as long as he did.

Follow me on Twitter @Ken_Dye

2002:

RD SEL # PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL
1 2 Julius Peppers DE North Carolina
2 34 DeShaun Foster RB UCLA
3 73 Will Witherspoon MLB Georgia
4 100 Dante Wesley CB Arkansas-Pine Bluff
5 137 Randy Fasani QB Stanford
5 145 Kyle Johnson RB Syracuse
6 174 Keith Heinrich TE Sam Houston State
7 213 Pete Campion G North Dakota State
7 258 Brad Franklin CB Louisiana-Lafayette

Hurney’s very first-ever draft pick was the famous Julius Peppers from their own back yard, and the best one it was. However, when you draft at #2 overall, he should be a future pro-bowler. Peppers has been to his share, but now plays for the Bears. DeShaun Foster was a bust. Witherspoon was a very good player that the Panthers let walk in Free Agency. He was a 3-year starter that missed only 1 game in his four years in Charlotte. Wesley was a career backup. Fasani didn’t last but 4 games. Johnson was bust as a fullback. Heinrich, Campion, and Franklin were all busts.

Grade: D-minus. Hard to miss, and you’re SUPPOSED to get a star player. The fact that he actually got a star is the only thing saving this class from an F.

2003:

RD SEL # PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL
1 8 Jordan Gross T Utah
2 50 Bruce Nelson C Iowa
3 76 Mike Seidman TE UCLA
3 82 Ricky Manning CB UCLA
4 119 Colin Branch DB Stanford
5 145 Kindal Moorehead DT Alabama
7 226 Walter Young WR Illinois
7 247 Casey Moore RB Stanford

Gross is still with the team so they’ve gotten their work from the man. He’s been durable and started from game one. Nelson and Seidman were both busts. Manning played 6 years and was a career backup with 2 other teams after 3 with the Panthers. Branch started his 2nd year of his 4 career seasons with the Panthers. Moorehead – career backup. Young had 9 career games and Moore, none.

Grade: D-minus. See 2002.

September 30, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) is tackled by Carolina Panthers strong safety Charles Godfrey (30) and cornerback Chris Gamble (20) during the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

2004:

1 28 Chris Gamble CB Ohio State
2 62 Keary Colbert WR USC
3 94 Travelle Wharton G South Carolina
5 163 Drew Carter WR Ohio State
6 196 Sean Tufts LB Colorado
7 232 Michael Gaines TE Central Florida

Gamble was a great career value pick, but just went on IR for the Panthers. Colbert was a bust. Wharton gave us a lot of games and was just released this season. Carter and Tufts were busts. Gaines was a decent second/blocking TE for 3 years with Carolina and 4 more elsewhere.

Grade: C, and that’s even a tad generous. Gamble was a nice pick at #28 overall, Colbert gave them 4 years of underproduction, and Gaines was a mild steal at the very end of the draft simply because he stuck as a blocker.

2005:

RD SEL # PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL
1 14 Thomas Davis DB Georgia
2 54 Eric Shelton RB Louisville
3 79 Evan Mathis G Alabama
3 89 Atiyyah Ellison DT Missouri
4 121 Stefan LeFors QB Louisville
5 149 Adam Seward LB Nevada-Las Vegas
5 169 Geoff Hangartner C Texas A&M
5 171 Ben Emanuel SS UCLA
6 189 Jovan Haye DE Vanderbilt
6 207 Joe Berger T Michigan Tech

Thomas Davis was a wonderful pick here, not to mention a fighter having a resurgent 2012 so far after 3 knee reconstructions. Gimme that guy at #14 overall from that long ago ANY day. Shelton played 9 games in 2 years and retired. Mathis is a journeyman but still playing – only 3 in Carolina. Ellison was a 7-year bust; only one in Charlotte. LeFors never did a thing. Seward was a 4-yr folly. Hangartner is a solid starter today, minus a 2-year stint in Buffalo. Emanuel was a 2-yr bust. Haye was a 2-yr, 2-game player that went on to contribute for a few years with other teams, some as a starter. Berger is a journeyman end-of-bench type that Carolina never suited up.

Grade: D. Sense a pattern here? Davis was a gem but #14 overall and should play well. Durability problems take a D+ to a D. Hangartner was a steal in the 5th round considering how long he’s contributed as a guard or center.

Oct 7, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 16-12. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE

2006:

RD SEL # PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL
1 27 DeAngelo Williams RB Memphis
2 58 Richard Marshall CB Fresno State
3 88 James Anderson LB Virginia Tech
3 89 Rashad Butler T Miami (Fla.)
4 121 Nate Salley DB Ohio State
5 155 Jeff King TE Virginia Tech
7 234 Will Montgomery G Virginia Tech
7 237 Stanley McClover DE Auburn

Williams has been a productive player until the overall offensive malaise this year and a steal at #27 in the entire draft, given length of service. Marshall played 5 years with Carolina, his last 2 as a starter. James Anderson has had a very, very good career and is a starter after “paying his dues” as a backup and has grown nicely. Butler is a Texan after a year in Carolina, still a reserve. Salley was a bust. King started the last 4 of his 5 years in Carolina, but was let go and starts for the Cards. Montgomery is a career backup with only his rookie season in Carolina. McClover was a bust.

Grade: A-minus. If they could draft like this each year, they’d be loaded if they held on to the guys. Williams was an impact player and still has gas if the offense can get started. Marshall served his time but was let go after starting. Anderson grew into a talented OLB. Jeff King starts but elsewhere now.

2007:

1 25 Jon Beason MLB Miami (Fla.)
2 45 Dwayne Jarrett WR USC
2 59 Ryan Kalil C USC
3 83 Charles Johnson DE Georgia
4 118 Ryne Robinson WR Miami (Ohio)
5 155 Dante Rosario TE Oregon
5 164 Tim Shaw LB Penn State
7 226 C.J. Wilson CB Baylor

Beason was a starter from day one until getting injured last season and again this year but gave 4 good years. Jarrett was a bust. Kalil is an All-Pro but on IR now for 2012. Johnson’s a tier below a pro-bowler and dangerous today. Robinson was a retired bust gone from the league after his rookie year. Rosario is a career backup-quality TE still with the team. Shaw has bounced around as a reserve after a couple in Carolina. Wilson is a special-teams guy more than anything.

Grade: A-minus. If not for injuries to both Beason and Kalil, that’s 2 All-Pros in the top 3 rounds. Had Jarrett even been a possession guy…a 3rd WR or return guy, something, this could be an A+. Every organization misses on about half their picks so 3 real impact guys including Charles Johnson, and a backup guy in Rosario is a very nice haul for a draft, realistically speaking. It’s “only” an A-minus because the extra 2nd and extra 5th didn’t help them.

Overall, the first half of his tenure, draft-wise, has to be a solid “C.” That just won’t cut it in the modern NFL. Talent at a “C” level draft should be producing 8-8 teams, on balance.

Second half of his tenure to be posted soon…

Follow me on Twitter @Ken_Dye