Panthers Enter Mini Camps Stocked at Wideout

I was looking for the one big splash at wide receiver for the Panthers Friday evening. Well they made a pretty big splash, drafting Brandon LaFell, wide receiver out of LSU.

Other receivers drafted, were Appalachian State’s Armanti Edwards (quarterback-turned-receiver), and David Gettis of Baylor.

Currently on the roster before these selections were made, are Steve Smith, Dwayne Jarrett, Charly Martin, Dexter Jackson, Kenneth Moore, and Wallace Wright. Out of the all the receivers — currently and newly-drafted — on the roster, at least two, maybe three will be used primarily on special teams. Of those used on special teams, one or two may see time as an situational receiver here and there.

Brandon LaFell

The wide receiver out of LSU is a much needed addition to the receiving corps. Despite my yearning for a receiver of a different name, LaFell is the type of receiver the Panthers need to replace Muhsin Muhammad.

There’s no question that LaFell will be in the starting lineup in Week One at the New York Giants.

At 6-2 / 211, LaFell was a very good possession receiver for LSU, and has been compared to Moose in his blocking abilities, size, and at times alligator arms.

That last part can be improved on in time, and there’s no doubt in my mind it will improve.

His speed has been questioned, as he had one of the lower times at the NFL Combine. I attribute it to a bad day, or perhaps some lingering doubt in his MCL surgery months prior.

Steve Smith is happy with the addition of LaFell (and Clausen), as he stated earlier today on the Mac Attack show on WFNZ; If Smitty’s happy, everyone’s happy.

Armanti Edwards

This was an interesting pick. At least when and how it occurred, was interesting. To a degree, the Panthers “pulled a Denver,” when they became panicked, believing Edwards would not be available when it came their turn to pick again. Maybe they were right, but I believe he would have lingered for a lot longer than expected.

Edwards, a local player from Appalachian State, was the quarterback for ASU. The reason I believe the Panthers got panicky and “pulled a Denver,” is because while they traded away next year’s second-round pick to move back into the third-round, they also selected an unknown, who they’ll attempt to make a wide receiver.

Edwards has nice speed and great athletic ability, but I also wonder if the coaching staff might consider using Edwards as a combination receiver/running back/QB with some wildcat plays.

David Gettis
There was no usable picture available for me to offer you on Gettis, but this one’s a bit of an unknown to me.

Gettis is a receiver out of Baylor, and another one who Steve Smith has taken a liking to, as you’ll hear in his call-in interview with the Mac Attack morning show.

At this point, he’s looked at for his speed and return ability, so that will give free agent acquisition Wallace Wright some competition, too.

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