Best Player Available

[firstdayfan]

What is everyone's take on this strategy for the upcoming draft? Even though we have some glaring weaknesses (WR, DE, QB) does anyone else feel like it ultimately works better to grab up the best guy that's available whether it feels a need or not...especially in earlier rounds? I feel like when we drafted Ryan Kalil this was this case and it has worked out really well. I feel like it also happened with Gary Barnidge, Jonathon Stewart, Thomas Davis, Duke Robinson and Captain Munnerlyn. I know it's almost a lock that we pick either a WR or a DE with our first pick but here are some guys that I think could help our team as the best player available option.

DT Geno Atkins (Georgia) 6-1 293 and DT Lamar Houston (Texas) 6-3 305...Even though there is already a log jam at this position I really feel like these guys are shooting up draft boards and wont be around in the 3rd. Atkins is big, physical and dominated one of the best guards at the senior bowl. He could even kick out and play the end in a pinch (he ran a 4.75 at the combine). Houston was incredibly productive at Texas and could be a Ryan Kalil type of pick.

CB Brandon Ghee (WF) 6-0 192 and CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers) 5-11 193...Another position that we are pretty stable at right now but who could say no to these couple of guys who could sneak into the first round with strong combines. Corner is no where near a priority but at the same time if there was an injury at that position would you really be ok with the depth? Either of these guys could be cornerstones at the position for years.

OLB Dekoda Watson (Florida St) 6-1 240...This kid was a potential 3rd rounder until his solid combine numbers. He also is at one of our strongest positions. You would like to get a starter or potential starter out of the second round but this kid would have to wait his turn. However, with Diggs' injury history that might not be too long.

OL Maurkice Pouncey (Florida) 6-4 304...Projected as the number one center in the draft this kid is very versitile and could potentially play at every position on the line excluding left tackle. Without a solid backup to Kalil he could be very tempting if he is still there.

I would honestly be happy with any of these guys depending on how the draft plays out. I was really disappointed with the WR's after the combine. I was falling in love with Brandon Lafell and Marty Gilyard until their horrible forty times. Golden Tate won't be there thanks to his and somebody will draft Jacoby Ford way too early. With guys like Andre Roberts, Carlton Mitchell, Demaryius Thomas, and Marcus Easley available in later rounds...I really don't see the reason to reach for a guy with question marks.

At the DE position I like several guys in later rounds as well...guys like CJ Wilson, Austen Lane, Daniel Te'o-Neshiem, and Jermaine Cunningham to name a few. I mean unless Everson Griffin falls into the second round I really think we can wait to take a DE.

So what does everyone think/want to add?

[DynastyRTR]

I was falling in love with Brandon Lafell and Marty Gilyard until their horrible forty times.

I hope Mardy Gilyard has a great pro day and at least runs a low 4.5 40 there if he does run. Maybe he just had a bad week

[SorthNarolina]

I like the idea of trading down this year as DT is deep and we'll still get a good rotational/development guy. We won't get any immediate impact DE at our position so might as well pursue the replacement in FA. Can't replace peppers with a developmental 2nd rounder.

This year is chock full of Rush LB's, and with many teams using the 3-4 we can get the 4-3 guys lower than expected.

I would differentiate between each round just to make things a little more organized. That way people will know which roun it's acceptable to take a BPA guy.

Chad Jones or Navorro Bowman at the bottom of the 2nd would be great. A.J Edds, Rennie Curran, Dakota Watson around the 3rd-4th would be good. I'm concentrating pretty heavily on LB's this year as I think we have a good oppurtunity to get some good one's in the 3rd/4th rounds. There are a few pro-typical cover 2 gems hidden among all these 3-4 guys.

[firstdayfan]

I agree about gilyard and I hope he runs better too...I thought he caught the ball really well at the combine...but if he doesn't I'm fine with Andre Roberts in the third.

The idea of getting an OLB is intriging and I think we need to realize that the chance of the panthers getting an impact player in this draft may be pretty slim. Consider last year...nobody really stands out from that draft class except for munnerlyn and maybe brown depending on what you expected from him.

[nagai]

lol We have holes all over the place. Apart from RB, I can see us picking up a player from any position. BPA it is. Keep in mind that Hurney doesn't draft a guy to fill the biggest void, just a guy in ONE OF our positions of need.

[Lout]

When you are already a successful team.. BPA works great.. but we have too many holes on this team, especially after all the cuts.

[carpanfan96]

With all the cuts, You'll see them draft something like this... If someone falls into there lap they might take BPA, but I doubt it.

WR, DT, WR, DE, LB, QB, OL

[GreatPoupon]

i'm not sure DT is a priority anymore. we have hayden and irvin as well as all the guys we traded for and picked up: johnson, tyler, leonard. maybe a late rounder but not as priority.

i think DE, WR, LB are at the top of the list.

[Lout]

i'm not sure DT is a priority anymore. we have hayden and irvin as well as all the guys we traded for and picked up: johnson, tyler, leonard. maybe a late rounder but not as priority.

i think DE, WR, LB are at the top of the list.

100% agree.

[SorthNarolina]

i'm not sure DT is a priority anymore. we have hayden and irvin as well as all the guys we traded for and picked up: johnson, tyler, leonard. maybe a late rounder but not as priority.

i think DE, WR, LB are at the top of the list.

blech hayden is horrible. Irvin is unproven as well. with lewis gone there is now a hole as we only have 4 DT's. I think we're going 4DE/5DT this year.

[Lout]

blech hayden is horrible. Irvin is unproven as well. with lewis gone there is now a hole as we only have 4 DT's. I think we're going 4DE/5DT this year.

Corvey Irvin will not be cut just because he is unproven.. our 5 DTs are already on our team. I agree with you on Hayden.