Carolina Panthers 2008 NFL Draft Needs
June 8, 2008
Carolina’s main concern will be to build an offensive line that can protect Jake Delhomme and keep him finally healthy. The Panthers then must find a No. 2 wide receiver that can spark an anemic offense and give Steve Smith a little more room to operate. DE Mike Rucker and MLB Dan Morgan are far too old and injury-riddled to be counted upon to lead the Panthers defense this season. The Panthers will look to fill these holes after missing the playoffs in back-to-back season for the first time since John Fox took over.
2008 Carolina Panthers NFL Draft Needs:
1.) Offensive Left Tackle
Carolina faces a big decision to make in trying to keep OLT Travelle Wharton and ORT Jordan Gross on the roster as both are unrestricted free agents. The two will make $20 million combined per season, so the Panthers may be forced to pick one of the other instead of both. Gross has been the better of the two, and the front office will likely empty the bank to keep him.
2.) Wide Receiver
The Panthers are very disappointed in their No. 2 Draft Pick last season with Dwayne Jarrett. He was supposed to be their No. 2 receiver after the release of Keyshawn Johnson. Jarrett was active for just 7 games and only managed 6 catches for 73 yards last year. The Panthers are now forced to find an accomplice to Steve Smith at wide receiver through the 2008 NFL Draft. Smith was brilliant at the beginning of the season before QB Delhomme was knocked out for the season.
3.) Quarterback
The Panthers’ biggest splash last offseason was signing David Carr to backup Delhomme. They had the right idea, fearing injury to Delhomme and it happened. But Carr could not step in and be the efficient quarterback they had hoped for. Vinny Testaverde was signed at age 44 to try and get the team headed in the right direction. Now that’s a sign of desperateness the Panthers don’t want to have to face again. Matt Moore proved he could be a viable No. 2 or No. 3 starter as he shined in a couple meaningless games. Last season proved that the Panthers can never have too many QB’s.
4.) Defensive End
Mike Rucker hinted at retirement after posting his lowest sack total since 2000 with just 3 sacks last year. DE Julius Peppers endured a season-long slump and it appeared clear that Rucker’s career was in serious jeopardy with his steep decline in production. Two possible replacements in Charles Johnson, a 3rd-rounder in 2007, and Stanley McClover, a 7th-rounder in 2006 will get their shot to impress. But if the right player falls into their laps in the later rounds of the 2008 NFL Draft the Panthers will not hesitate to add some depth at defensive end.
5.) Outside Linebacker
There was excitement heading into last season with rookie Jon Beason and veteran Dan Morgan side-by-side at linebacker in being former Miami, FL products. But another serious injury to Morgan has put his career in jeopardy. It sounds like he will try another comeback after suffering at least 8 concussions in his career. Beason proved he could play in the middle and performed as well or better than Morgan ever could. They will need to add an outside linebacker to have some insurance if Morgan can’t pull off a complete comeback.
2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Offensive Scheme:
Offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson had a hell of a time trying to implement his system with numerous injuries and struggles at quarterback last season. Carolina had to lean on the run much more than they would have liked to, not giving Steve Smith enough opportunities to make plays on the outside. They will still focus on establishing a strong ground game, but have to have their deadly passing attack from previous years to be able to get back to the playoffs for the first time in 3 years. RB Jonathan Stewart out of Oregon is the ideal back for this offense. OLT Sam Baker of USC, WR Malcolm Kelly of Oklahoma, TE Dustin Keller of Purdue, WR Kenneth Moore of Wake Forest and QB Dennis Dixon of Oregon are a few names the Panthers will be looking at during the 2008 NFL Draft.
2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Defensive Scheme:
The Panthers 4-3 defense will only succeed if the front four can get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Carolina’s secondary is one of the best in the business, but any secondary will be vulnerable if the front four cannot get pressure. This squad’s linebackers are interchangeable to try and create match-up problems and mistakes by offensive linemen. LB Keith Rivers of USC is the kind of backer the Panthers will be looking for in the 2008 NFL Draft. FS Dajuan Morgan, CB Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie of Tennessee State, DE Jeremy Thompson of Wake Forest, OLB Bryan Kehl of BYU and DE Chase Ortiz of TCU give the Panthers some solid prospects on the defensive side of the ball.
