Carolina Panthers: 2006 NFL Draft do-over (7 rounds)
By Josh Linares
RB. player. MAURICEJONES-DREW. 58. 87. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. UCLA
Carolina Panthers 2006 Draft: Maurice Jones-Drew over Richard Marshall (No. 58)
The Carolina Panthers passing on DeAngelo Williams in the first round to take Maurice Jones-Drew in the second would have been more beneficial. Both were great running backs, but the latter had the better career overall.
Richard Marshall wasn’t a complete bust either. In his five years with the Panthers, the player had 14 interceptions and scored two touchdowns. He never became an elite corner but he wasn’t a disappointment by any stretch of the imagination.
Jones-Drew, on the other hand, was an amazing back in his prime. He made three Pro Bowls and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2011 during what can only be described as a phenomenal campaign from the diminutive but powerful back.
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His dominance in 2011 was further reflection with 1,606 yards and eight touchdowns. His highlights from that season are something every football fan needs to watch and is further evidence of just what a special talent Jones-Drew was during his time in the NFL.
Jones-Drew could have been the Panthers’ back for many years. The player would also have had the benefit of running behind Nick Mangold and Jordan Gross in this particular scenario. And this might have propelled the former UCLA standout to even greater heights.