What do you guys think about the Panthers drafting a Tight End this year?

[davos]

Julius Thomas...nuff said

He's perfect for Chud

[jarhead]

I think it would have happened higher if not for Jeremy Shockey coming onboard.

I was shocked that we grabbed him given his age and injuries.

[firstdayfan]

Julius Thomas...nuff said

He's perfect for Chud

Jordan Cameron is a better fit...to me he would be the perfect choice with our last pick in the third.

[micnificent28]

Jordan Cameron is a better fit...to me he would be the perfect choice with our last pick in the third.

I can't see a TE being picked so high for us. We do need a QB assuming we go get one 1st rd. I think 3rd 1 would be DT and then maybe a CB or another DT. Beyond that we need a OG. all needs are much larger than TE since we signed shockey have gary king and resario. I'm sure one of them will be cut but still,its a reach.

[Catalyst]

Jordan Cameron or Julius Thomas would be great in the 3rd/4th round.

[Millions]

Probably wont take one just go with Shockey, Barnidge and resign Rosario (who I think could be a problem with a staff that utilizes there TE's).

[OneBadassCat]

I think Rosario and Barnidge could be special players if used in the right way. I think Shockey is a good 1-year sign.

[OchoNueve]

More pressing needs than TE right now, and they all need to be addressed in the draft since free agency is not certain.

[Catalyst]

We only signed Shockey for one year. I think they draft a TE fairly early and groom him rather than taking the wait and see approach next year.

[JawnyBlaze]

I like what I've seen out of Julius Thomas a lot (mostly just drills at the combine, a couple youtube videos). Without a ton of evidence to go on, I would be quite happy to spend a 4th or the comp pick in the 3rd round (since they're back to back) on Thomas or Jordan Cameron (who also looks good, but I like Thomas better). If we could somehow manage a trade into the second round to pick up Rudolph without trading next year's 1st or Smitty (if the CBA is signed by then) I would be ecstatic. But more realistically, I see us spending one of those back to back picks on a TE. Could even be Stocker or Green, but I doubt it.

I think King is as good as gone and judging by some comments in a video on Panthers.com a few weeks or couple of months ago, I think he knows it too. Rosario could be good if he can work on his drops, wouldn't mind him sticking around. Barnidge could be a beast if properly utilized. I could easily see us carrying 4 TEs (Shockey, Rosario, Barnidge, rookie) especially if we draft Henery and trim some of the fat from the kicking corps...either Kasay retires and Henery takes over kickoffs and FGs, or get rid of Baker and Lloyd and let Henery do kickoffs and punts.

[jramsey4]

Jordan Cameron will be a beast. I would definitely get him with one of our 3rds. He stands in at 6'5” and weighs 250lbs while still running a 4.53 40 (to put that in perspective Green ran a 4.48 while being 40 lbs lighter and an inch shorter). He put up 225 23 times, clocked a 6.82 3 cone (once again Green had a 6.91), a 4.03 20 yard shuttle (Green 4.21), 37.5” Vert (Green 35” and an inch shorter), and had a 10' broad jump. Can you say ATHLETE?

[mick eye]

Jordan Cameron is my guy. Was the best TE at the Shriner Game and the combine.

But i still think Dante and Gary could step it up in a more TE friendly system.

[CRA]

Shockey is a stop gap TE.

Chud wants a TE.....so I imagine it is a priority to find a young do it all TE.

[Darth Bobo]

Hopefully, Carolina will continue to use the draft strategy of taking the best player available regardless of the position.

Assuming they do continue that practice, it is always possible that we'd draft a TE, but I doubt it. Here is our complete draft history for TE's:

1997: Round 7 : Kris Mangum (1424 yds/10 seasons) ~ 142yps

2001: Round 7 : Chris? Roberg (-/-) ~ n/a

2002: Round 6 : Keith Heinrich (65 yds / 6 seasons) ~ 11yps

2003: Round 3 : Mike Seidman (158 yds/4 seasons) ~ 40yps

2004: Round 7 : Michael Gaines (869 yds/ 6 seasons) ~ 145yps

2006: Round 5 : Jeff King (923 yds/ 5 seasons) ~ 184.6yps

2007: Round 5 : Dante Rosario (894 yds / 4 seasons) ~ 224yps

2008: Round 5 : Gary Barnidge (242 yds / 1 season) ~ 242yps

Fox/Hurney drafted a tight end almost every year. Seidman was the worst of the bunch.

Now, our roster has Jeremy Shockey:

5,688 yds / 9 seasons ~ 632yps.

Stats are for pussies/geeks I know, but at some point you'd better recognize. Shockey is a more proven receiver (~3x yps) than any we've produced from draft picks throughout Panthers history.

Can Hurney make a convincing case that the tight ends he selected in the draft were competent but underthrown receivers, or will Shockey's catches distinguish himself above the other TE's, and indicate that Hurney is not good at evaluating TEs in the draft?

A TE that is averaging 250 yds a season is not going to be regarded as a serious receiving threat. That much should be obvious.