Carolina Panthers: 2008 NFL Draft do-over (7 rounds)

Carolina Panthers 2008 Draft: Duane Brown over Jeff Otah (No. 19)

The Carolina Panthers really missed on Jeff Otah. They gave up two picks in this draft and a future first-rounder to take the offensive lineman. And to say he failed to live up to lofty expectations would be something of an understatement.

Otah played three seasons for the Panthers but never turned into an elite tackle. He was cut after failing to reach his promise and never played in the NFL again.

Missing on a player like Otah hurts a franchise a lot. Especially when there was a much better lineman available that Carolina will be kicking themselves that they didn’t end up with.

Duane Brown was taken seven picks later by the Houston Texans. He went on to be their franchise tackle for the next ten years. He made four Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro in 2012 to further enhance his reputation as one of the best in the business.

Brown has since been traded to the Seattle Seahawks in what was a bombshell move in 2017. And the player is still producing at a high level despite his advancing years.

If the Panthers were to take Brown with the 19th pick, they would have found a great tackle to start opposite of Jordan Gross. This could have propelled the organization to great things. And this was one of the worst first-round picks the decisionmakers ever made.