Carolina Panthers: 2010 NFL Draft do-over (6 rounds)
By Josh Linares
player. Scouting Report. LB. NAVORROBOWMAN. 87. Pick Analysis. PENN STATE. 89
Carolina Panthers 2010 Draft: NaVorro Bowman over Armanti Edwards (No. 89)
Armanti Edwards had an amazing college career. He was a sensational dual-threat quarterback at Appalachian State and owns basically every single-season record he was eligible for.
In his four years there he threw for 10,392 yards and 74 touchdowns. Edwards also ran for 4,361 yards and 65 touchdowns to further enhance his overall reputation heading into the NFL.
The Carolina Panthers selected him primarily because of his versatility. They wanted him to return punts and kicks and also be a receiver and a real wildcard in their offense.
Unfortunately his career never really developed how the organization thought it would. In his three seasons with the Panthers, Edwards never scored a touchdown and only threw one pass. He never became a prominent figure in the return game and the player simply wasn’t the right fit.
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The Panthers released him in the middle of the 2013 season and he spent the rest of the campaign with the Cleveland Browns, He hasn’t been in the league since.
NaVorro Bowman went No. 91 to the San Francisco 49ers. After his rookie season sitting behind Patrick Willis, he quickly became one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
From 2011-2013, Bowman had 436 tackles, seven forced fumbles, and 28 tackles for loss. He made the Pro Bowl all three of those seasons and was named first-team All-Pro in 2012 and 2013.
Bowman missed the 2014 season due to injury and on his return, he had the best year of his career putting up 157 tackles, seven tackles for loss and was named to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro rosters.
He spent some time with the Oakland Raiders in 2017 before eventually retiring as a Niner. Linebackers’ careers don’t last as long as other positions due to the constant contact and wear and tear on their bodies.
If the Panthers took Bowman in this scenario, they would have had a great linebacker core with Luke Kuechly coming a few years later. Having Jon Beason, Bowman, and Luke Kuechly over a 20-year span is something special to think about.