Carolina Panthers 2008 Draft Picks:13. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
19. Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
67. Charles Godfrey, DB, Iowa
74. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
141. Gary Barnidge, TE, Louisville
181. Nick Hayden, DT, Wisconsin
221. Hilee Taylor, DE/OLB, UNC
241. Jeff Schwartz, G, Oregon
250. Mackenzy Bernadeau, G, Bentley
The Good: John Fox wanted to go back to the power running game he had in 2003, and GM Marty Hurney took this year's and next year's 1st-round picks to get it. Jonathan Stewart is the next Stephen Davis, and Jeff Otah could be a run-blocking force from the start. Carolina added some value players in the 3rd round, including a potential replacement for Chris Gamble, who's in the last year of his contract, and possibly another Dan Morgan without the concussion issues. They also added yet another 5th-round tight end -- their third in three years -- which could be a sign that Dante Rosario is poised to replace Brad Hoover at fullback after this season. They waited a while to get a defensive end, but they didn't need a starter there, and Nick Hayden has that Jordan Carstens look about him. (That's a good thing.)
The Bad: The Panthers didn't really address the defensive end spot, unless you believe Hilee Taylor is the Marques Colston of defensive ends. This shows a rather large amount of faith in Charles Johnson and Tyler Brayton, who will duke it out for the right end spot opposite Julius Peppers. Speaking of faith, I find this team's lack of faith in DeAngelo Williams disturbing. They should have just drafted Joseph Addai two years ago and been done with it then.
The Grade: B+. A lot of pundits will dock the Panthers for not drafting a future quarterback, but Jake Delhomme's rehab is progressing well, and everyone seemed to forget that Matt Moore was 2-1 as a starter last season. Fox has indicated that he was going to stand pat there and focus on improving the rest of offensive, which this team did boldly. Fox had better hope, though, that Stewart and Otah pan out, or he might be a coordinator somewhere else in 2009.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. 1. I never considered DE a real need, I think the interior of the DL is a much bigger concern with the loss of Jenkins and the overall lack of depth.
2. QB isn't a concern for me either as Jake is ahead of schedule and Moore showed that he can do the job. We have the most potent and balanced offense ever seen in Carolina, the QB job just got easier.
3. I don't see drafting Stewart as a lack of faith in anyone, especially not the RB who averaged 5 yards a carry and rewrote record books in college. It's an acknowledgement that the NFL has gone to a two back system and the best ones feature two backs with different styles, something we now have. It should extend the careers of both backs with not having to carry the franchise, so to speak.
Masterful draft, I only wish we would have drafted DT early, or taken some more projects in the 7th. However, there are several FA DT's available.
Posted at 7:42PM on Apr 27th 2008 by John
2. Couldn't agree more on the QB issue. What good does adding a rookie quarterback -- even/especially an early round selection -- do for this team beside clog up the depth chart with Moore?
If Delhomme's not healthy, and I think he is, it won't matter anyway.
Posted at 10:10PM on Apr 27th 2008 by Will Brinson
3. I agree completely with John. There was no need for a QB... Delhomme is improving and Moore is a capable back-up. And Basanez has been around for a while, so he knows the system enough to step up should need be.
I didn't see a need for DE either... Johnson's entering his 2nd year & McClover his 3rd and you'd expect to see some progress in both of them. Brayton will challenge for a starting spot; Peppers (hopefully) will bounce back.
Same thing with the backs... there's no lack of faith in D-Will. More, it's an attempt to go to a 2-back system to not only throw 2 different types of backs at defenses, but also keep them healthier (a big problem as of late in Carolina) & keep the fatigue off.
My only wish (again, like John) is that the team had gone DT earlier... I liked Fluellen (unfortunately, he went higher than expected in the 3rd), and after that Pressley (who the team passed over in the 5th to add their 3rd mid-round TE in 3 years). But given the lack of quality DTs after the first round (questionable work ethic, questionable motors, off-field issues), there wasn't any one guy that really stood out.
Overall, a great draft (if Otah & Stewart perform). And I agree with the B+ grade. Well done.
Posted at 10:41PM on Apr 27th 2008 by UtesFan89
4. Then y'all obviously have more faith in Matt Moore than I do. I was shocked when we didn't pick a QB.
Posted at 8:14AM on Apr 28th 2008 by Justin
5. ok
Posted at 9:12AM on Apr 28th 2008 by benny
6. Am I the only one who just about spewed out my drink when I saw the picture posted of Jonathan Stewart was a picture of Daily Show host JON Stewart?!?
Cracked me up.
I can't wait to see this new line up in action. Til then I will have faith in the Panthers & keep hoping for the Superbowl.
Posted at 8:16PM on Apr 28th 2008 by AliMoonGoddess
7. Godfrey is not Gamble's replacement he's going to be the leading option at FS this year. He will be the ball hawk that they've been lacking. Hayden will be good as a run stuffer in certain situations. Plus they just signed Darwin Walker.
Posted at 1:36PM on May 2nd 2008 by Roushpimpn