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| Carl Setterlund. 26th April, 2006 - 6:13 pm
 2005-06 Record: 11-5
Draft Position: 27th
Picks:
1st Round: 27
2nd Round: 58
3rd Round: 89
4th Round: 121
5th Round: 155
6th Round: none
7th Round: 234, 237
Team needs: It?s hard to believe that a team as talented as the Panthers has holes. Since making it to the 2004 Super Bowl it seems this squad has been one of the most complete out there. But as anyone who has followed the NFL knows, it?s hard to keep a talented group together. Carolina lost underrated linebacker Will Witherspoon in free agency when the Rams found some money to throw at him, leaving some shoes to fill. Now 2004 first rounder Thomas Davis is expected to switch to linebacker next season to bolster the corps but there is still work to be done there. The second thing I think Carolina can work on is getting Jake Delhomme some more weapons! Tight end has been a weak spot ever since the end of the Wesley Walls era. It doesn?t seem like John Fox values this position particularly highly but still, there are a potential six above average tight ends in this draft and it?ll be hard not to at least take a look. Stephen Davis was let go this offseason and even though I don?t think the Carolina staff likes to accept it, Deshaun Foster has durability issues. Even if it?s not a power back (LenDale White is the only option there in this draft), I think someone will be added. Lastly, the receiving core only goes three deep, so a middle round flyer could be an option. Other than these spots, I think Carolina can legitimately just draft the best player available. Offensive line depth and able bodies in the secondary never hurt; especially with news just coming that Rickey Manning Jr. just signed an offer sheet with the Bears. Carolina can match, but they probably won?t
First round breakdown: After another stellar season the Panthers sit at the end of the first round, but luckily they don?t have an enormous amount of needs. Getting a tight end here could work, but it depends on how high the Panthers are on Leonard Pope and Marcedes Lewis. Knowing that tight end isn?t usually a large part of the Panthers offense is what probably rules out them taking one of the aforementioned players. What also rules that out is the more pressing need for defensive reinforcements. Carolina boasted one of the most talented defenses in the league last year and the other teams took notice. When new money popped up this offseason, several teams decided to invest it in Panthers free agents. Will Witherspoon, Ricky Manning Jr. (probably), Marlon Mcree and several others were lured away. I think Witherspoon is the most significant loss out of this group and thus the first rounder should be used on finding his replacement. This of course depends on a deserving player being available, which luckily there is. Not only that but this player is much like Witherspoon. DeMeco Ryans was once a consensus top 10 pick but being undersized, his draft stock has fallen. However, Ryans is everywhere on the field just like Witherspoon with a constant motor. He was the captain of a stifling Alabama defense and he has the leadership qualities that are going to make him a good locker room presence in the NFL as well. Other options could include Ohio State?s Bobby Carpenter and Thomas Howard from UTEP. I don?t think the need for a RB behind Deshaun Foster is great enough for Carolina to commit to backup this high. If they decide to go with a safety instead, I think Daniel Bullocks would be a superb pick. Yet I have to go with Ryans in the end who is not only a good value pick but a good guy who fills a position of need. The Panthers would walk away a better team having selected Ryans.
Predicted selection ? Demeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama
Overall outlook: Carolina?s outlook in this draft is rather average because they are picking so far back in the first round. Secondly, they find themselves not only without any extra first day picks, but without extra picks period. For these reasons the Panthers ceiling for how well they do in this draft is situated at ?good?. But this is no time to fret Panthers nation because the depth of this draft is leaving everyone happy. Ryans would be a top 20 pick most other years and is very good value for such a late first rounder. There is such depth that still in the second round they?re going to come away filling a need position with a good player. Tight ends like Anthony Fasano, Dominique Byrd and Joe Klopfenstein could each be available in the late second or in the third round David Thomas might be worth a gander. More importantly, in the second round there may still be quite a few good safety prospects available. The likes of USC?s Darnell Bing and South Carolina Gamecock Ko Simpson could still be on the board at that point. In fact, Mel Kiper has Daniel Bullocks still available then (yet I think that?s unlikely). Like almost everyone in this draft, the options are there through the entire first day making it hard not to come away happy. Even with the underwhelming draft position Carolina, with a couple smart picks, will have no trouble reaching that ?good? ceiling. |
