The Panthers' draft conundrum...and my Big Board

[Carl Spackler]

There is, as of now, exactly one player who has declared and is capable of being a franchise player, AJ Green...problem for us is, we don't really need a wide receiver. Other teams, however, probably do. In a division with Ryan, Brees and Freeman, we need ammunition this year. Putting that off with stopgap FAs is idiotic.

No one can say who we will pick but if the draft were today, it would be Green unless we traded down. I still don't really believe we will trade down though.

My Big Board: (Attention: no agent has paid me a cent...these are my thoughts)

1) Nick Fairley, DT Auburn - a real possibility here, serves a huge need

2) AJ Green, WR Georgia - future Pro Bowler at a position we've addressed

3) Da'Quan Bowers, DE Clemson - already have Johnson/Brayton/Hardy/Brown

4) Cameron Newton, QB Auburn - W/Combine and NC success, could be ours

5) Patrick Peterson, CB LSU - not what people thought he was in October

6) Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska - good chance he will outshine Peterson

7) Ryan Mallett, QB Arkansas - faced great defenses in SEC...health concerns

8) Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa - again, good but at a position we don't need

9) Von Miller, LB Texas A&M - haven't seen much of him, but hear good things

10) Blaine Gabbert, QB Missouri - arm and accuracy good, vision questionable

I've heard Mallett could go top-5, along with Gabbert. Having seen both play, Mallett would be a good choice for a team with a solidified OL, whereas Gabbert's mobility would help us and our sieve OL.

Having said that, Gabbert made some decisions I've seen on film in college that make Clausen's and Moore's mistakes look minor.

If Fairley and Newton declare, Newton does great at the combine and NC game and interviews well, he will likely be the choice. But if he doesn't, then Fairley could be the guy.

[mav1234]

In general I agree with who you have in the top 10 but I don't know that Cam Newton will be there when all is said and done. It will depend a lot on his NC and combine showings.

Having said that, Gabbert made some decisions I've seen on film in college that make Clausen's and Moore's mistakes look minor.

This is true, though most of them are because he's trying to make something out of nothing Something a good staff could coach out of him. He's still not worth the #1 but I could see us taking him if we can trade back. However, I still think we may stay put and just pick up Green or Fairley. I don't see Peterson as an option.

I do think the QB that has the best chance of somehow breaking through is actually Cameron Newton, especially if he does well at combine and we actually sit down with him and can assess what kind of person he is. However, the character issues make me doubt we'd pick him. We'll see.

[firstdayfan]

Why does everyone assume Johnson will be back next year? Isn't this what got us into trouble with Luck? More than likely (based on no CBA) we will go into the draft still unsure. How do we make the right choice when we don't know if certain guys will be back??? We are in a tough spot.

[Carl Spackler]

I watched a good deal of film on Gabbert and I said three things to myself several times...

"Damn, what a great throw."

"Why did he do that?"

"That's a touchdown if the WR would've caught it."

Gabbert, like Clausen, will roll out under pressure and run backwards, then lose 15 yards on third and short. He also, like Moore, will stare down a receiver in the red zone, wait for coverage to get there, then throw it, and it often will be picked.

However...Gabbert, in my opinion, after reading about him and talking to people who have seen him play, could have "it." In a team desperate for passers, someone who is a pass-first QB with experience making 48 throws in a game would be beneficial to us. Clausen often threw 25-30 passes, Newton will throw maybe 15-20 most games.

Also, why did I drop Peterson? Simple...several of the guys around him, especially Newton, lit him up. If Newton's mechanics and pass game are chastised, yet he outshone Peterson, what does that say about Peterson when he'll face Ryan or Brady?

[Carl Spackler]

One thing to worry about with Gabbert:

Jimmy Clausen had Golden Tate.

Gabbert had TJ Moe.

How can they do, without those guys?

[Evil Hurney]

This was TJ Moe's first year as a WR. He was a high school QB (Armanti ???). Anyways, TJ Moe did not make Gabbert if that is what you are worried about.

[Carl Spackler]

Not at all...but he targeted him all the time, and used him as a security blanket, almost getting him killed against Illinois. I will say though, Gabbert spreads the ball around better than all the other QBs in this draft.

[mav1234]

Clausen had more than just Tate. Which is why I wasn't worried about it. I was wrong.

Gabbert is the best QB in the draft but that doesn't mean he will go #1 or go to us. I am trying hard to fight the desire to draft him because I know some of it is motivated from wanting a decent QB so bad.

[panthers55]

Why does everyone assume Johnson will be back next year? Isn't this what got us into trouble with Luck? More than likely (based on no CBA) we will go into the draft still unsure. How do we make the right choice when we don't know if certain guys will be back??? We are in a tough spot.

First of all he will be a restricted free agent so we get first dibs at him. Second we are likely to put the highest tender on him which will be a first and third rounder. You think someone is going to pay that for him?? He has said he wants to play here, we want to have him here and we get rights to match whatever someone else will pay him or we get the picks. We are not in a tough spot at all.

[PantherFan52]

AJ Green por favor. He has Larry Fitzgerald/Calvin Johnson type abilities. We can't pass him up

[panthers55]

AJ Green por favor. He has Larry Fitzgerald/Calvin Johnson type abilities. We can't pass him up

Who is going to throw him the ball. Clausen couldn't throw to Smith what makes you think Green would be any different??

Then again with Green here, Clausen's offense would average 14 points a game.

Sign him UP!!!!!!!

[Delhommey]

The problem is the best (probable) talent will be a DT, a DE and a WR, none of which warrant a $60 million contract, no matter how good they are.

[Carl Spackler]

Can't we just get Green, Gabbert and Fairley? Find a loophole!

[nosuchthingasapanther]

The problem is the best (probable) talent will be a DT, a DE and a WR, none of which warrant a $60 million contract, no matter how good they are.

how many number one draft picks turn out to really be worth the contracts they sign?