Which positions would you address?

[firstdayfan]

We all know how important this year's draft will be, especially since we now have so many holes throughout the team. Problem is that we have so few draft picks to work with...I'm pretty sure we have 5 (a second, third, fourth, sixth, and seventh). Without the possibility of picking up more compensatory draft picks or even trading a player for more picks (several people have brought up DeAngelo), what positions would you fill with our current limited supply of draft picks?

Mine in order are:

1) WR: I think we have to address this in the draft because the free agent pool is almost gone. I really like Golden Tate but we would have to move up to get him, probably into the first and I doubt that the FO are ready for a move like that. I'm really beginning to like Demaryius Thomas and feel like he could be like an Anquan Boldin type of player. IF we can't land either of those guys we could try a few options later.

2) DE: It is imperative that we add some depth here at some point in the draft. The nice thing is that they don't have to be starters but at least a prospect that could rotate in and play a few downs per game. Everson Griffen is at the top of my list but like Tate he will probably require a move of sorts. After that the talent level drops off and we would be better off waiting to the mid rounds for help. I really like the kid from Washington but I'm not even going to try and spell his name.

3) LB: This is a position that I obviously am not worried about much because there are still players we could add through free agency and I also have high hopes for Connor. But we do need some depth here and I'm not so sure that we shouldn't be looking at the MLB prospects over the OLB's. The draft is full of some backers' but it really just depends on if the Panthers are looking for the speedy LB's who can cover (for the cover 2 scheme) or what. Either way we can probably find some good ones early on.

4) C: While the loss of Vincent wasn't exactly a big blow I think it did effect the depth along the defensive line. I like Bernardeu and I he should do fine, especially after he played really well later in the year. I also think Robinson or Schwartz are capable backups at guard and tackle respectively. Problem is that if Kalil goes down we will need a replacement. It would be nice to find a versatile center later in the draft who we can groom for future greatness (our specialty over the last few years).

5) S: I like our safeties right now and feel like there will be good competition at free safety between Godfrey and Martin. Also we could bring back Teal who is a good special teams player to backup Harris. But let's be honest, it would be nice to find someone in the draft who could really come in a be a player if he needs to. The Safeties are so important in the cover 2 and it would be nice to have some real depth there for a change.

Maybe if we pick up some comp picks in the next week or so I would add corner or defensive tackle but based on soley what we have now these are my positions I would address. I obviously know about the QB situation but I think that has to be addressed through FA. And I also don't think that we should add another DT through the draft right now since we actually have depth there. In fact, I'd be more willing to bring in 2 WR's than a DT at this point.

[firstdayfan]

I also want to add that I looked around and found a blog where a guy predicted the compensatory picks and he said the Panthers could get a 6th for Hangartner and a 6th or a 7th for Omiyale. The really good news is that the Panthers should get an extra 3rd next year for Peppers, although there might not even be a draft sooooo.

Here's the link:

http://adamjt13.blogspot.com/2010/03/projecting-2010-compensatory-nfl-draft.html

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I might throw DL and QB somewhere in there (the latter later in the draft -- I believe Moore is our starter, but it never hurts to have a young guy with potential on the bench).

I agree completely about the safety position. We need a true ball hawk that knows how to operate in a Cover Two scheme -- maybe that's Martin.

[mountainpantherfan]

Right now we only have 4 picks (2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th).

I agree with WR being the biggest need but because we need a return man and I think this draft offers great options for returners that play WR as their primary position. However, while this position is the one I feel is the great need, that doesn't mean that the Panthers need to use their first pick (2nd) on WR/KR/PR. It looks as though the options in the 3rd round are as good as the options in the 2nd, IMO.

Outside of WR there really isn't any needs on offense outside of QB but I don't see them addressing this position through the draft.

That leaves the defense and there there are a lot of needs. You really could make a case for any general position (d-line, linebackers, secondary) to be picked up.

DT - Have depth already on the roster but no one that currently stands out.

DE - Great prospects in Brown and Johnson but depth is badly needed.

LB - MLB is fairly set with Beason and Conner but the OLB positions currently only have one standout and one backup that could be a starter. Thats not enough depth.

CB - There is good depth here and both starter are set to return but Marshall doesn't appear to be set to return in 2011.

S - Only two true safeties currently on the roster and there are question marks concerning Godfrey as a starting caliber player.

So to me any of the picks should go BPA amoung the following positions: WR, DE, DT, OLB, CB, S, QB. I added QB just in case a player takes a major fall and it becomes a can't pass up type of situation i.e. Conner.

[mick eye]

As i mentioned in another thread i am not allowed to access the draft boards for some reason. So i am gonna which positions and with who.

2. Carlton Mitchell WR

3. Austen Lane DE

4. Antonio Brown WR/KR

6. Leigh Tiffen K

[The Saltman]

i think we are getting some comp pics also.

[chbright]

As i mentioned in another thread i am not allowed to access the draft boards for some reason. So i am gonna which positions and with who.

2. Carlton Mitchell WR

3. Austen Lane DE

4. Antonio Brown WR/KR

6. Leigh Tiffen K

idk about the kicker (good but idk if i draft him) but the rest is great. i am huge on antonio brown, and mitchell is a superb athlete as is lane. if DT goes early (as some mocks have shown they will), i can get on board with the WR or a LB (daryl washington is my guy, later kam chancellor to SS to WLB project).

[MadHatter]

1. WR

2. LB Depth

3. DE

4. DB Depth

I think we will still sign a vet DE after the draft. I also think we will bring in the back-up QB from FA.

[firstdayfan]

Can someone fill me in on where the 7th rounder went? I know we gave away a 5th for Louis Leonard and a 6th for Tank Tyler and the first went to San Fran. We should still have a 7th rounder right? If we gave away the 7th for Tyler then we would have two 6th round picks because we got an extra one from Oakland last year when we traded back in the 7th round to pick up Munnerlyn. Someone give me a link and I will look as well...I'd like to get this straight. Oh and as I said earlier we can expect at least two compensatory picks but they will be in the 6th and 7th round.

EDIT: I found this from back in October...Tyler and Leonard were switched from what I though but we do have a 7th.

http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/2009/10/updating-the-panthers-remaining-picks-in-2010-draft.html

[ncbobcat]

The 7th went for another pickup in a trade, I just can't remember who. Was it Hollis Thomas from the Rams?

[mick eye]

1. WR

2. LB Depth

3. DE

4. DB Depth

I think we will still sign a vet DE after the draft. I also think we will bring in the back-up QB from FA.

I don't get the value of a Linebacker draft pick. Dan Connor was a steal for us cause he was graded out as a 2nd round player. James Anderson is also a 3rd round player. I think a competition between them is sufficient to fill Digg's spot.

[Sloth]

Can someone fill me in on where the 7th rounder went? I know we gave away a 5th for Louis Leonard and a 6th for Tank Tyler and the first went to San Fran. We should still have a 7th rounder right? If we gave away the 7th for Tyler then we would have two 6th round picks because we got an extra one from Oakland last year when we traded back in the 7th round to pick up Munnerlyn. Someone give me a link and I will look as well...I'd like to get this straight. Oh and as I said earlier we can expect at least two compensatory picks but they will be in the 6th and 7th round.

EDIT: I found this from back in October...Tyler and Leonard were switched from what I though but we do have a 7th.

http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/2009/10/updating-the-panthers-remaining-picks-in-2010-draft.html

I think people are talking about the trade with GB for Jansen. We traded our 7th for him, but it looks to be in 2011, not this year.

link

[MadHatter]

I don't get the value of a Linebacker draft pick. Dan Connor was a steal for us cause he was graded out as a 2nd round player. James Anderson is also a 3rd round player. I think a competition between them is sufficient to fill Digg's spot.

got rid of Johnson and Diggs. I like our starting guys, but LB dept is needed......they also make great ST players.

If Anderson wins the job (which I think he will), we are left with Conner as the primary back-up. We need OLB depth.

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

Needs:

1. WR! we need someone who can step in and produce

2. DE Serious lack of depth on our D-line

3. DT Serious lack of talent on our D-line

4. CB/DB I am suprised everyone is so happy with the CB play

5. any extra WR or D-line that we can snag

6. K who can kick FG and TB (sorry to say, but bye Kasay)

I wish we had better position in this draft......