Which would you pick (at #59)?

[Mr. Scot]

Let's suppose the Panthers don't complete a trade for a first round pick prior to this Saturday.

Then, when their first pick comes up at #59, they have a choice between two players.

1) a good defensive tackle

2) a dominant offensive guard

Cases can be made for either being the better choice.

On the DT side...

- defensive line is clearly the biggest "need" position on the team

- the DL lineup is still in flux with the future of Julius Peppers in doubt

- the Panthers starting DTs, Kemo and Lewis might be better suited for rotation

- the offensive line returns all five starters from last season (for the first time)

On the OG side...

- offensive line depth, a key part of last season's success, took a hit this offseason

- while Keydrick Vincent is good, he's not the strongest, and not dominant

- it's expected that Vincent will be healthy, but he's had injury issues before

- the Panthers will be facing a Murderer's Row of opposing DTs this season

Granted, the defense has bigger issues at the moment, but adding a top level guard to an already good young unit could set the team up with potentially one of the best offensive lines in the entire league for years to come. The effect that this could have on both the running and passing games cannot be overstated, and a dominant offense can be a winner even if the defense is only respectable.

With all this in mind, assume for a minute that the best available defensive tackle at the #59 spot is a red chip "solid player" while the best guard available is potentially a blue chip "elite level" guy.

What do you choose: The guard to make the O-line dominant, or the DT to make the D-Line competent?

Putting it another way, do you fill the greater need for right now, or add the better player for the long term?

[nagai]

Hmmmm... gut says DT but head says OG. We're picking late in the second round, go BPA.

[John Fox]

guard

[Mr. Scot]

Worth noting this situation could conceivably occur.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

I'm calling it now and saying if Duke Robinson or Andy Levitre are there, that'll be the pick. Either one has way more value than the DTs that will be there.

[rayzor]

OG

[PanthersFanNY]

Dominant OG.

But I wouldn't like it. We can win now and that isn't where we need the most help.

[frash.exe]

I'll take dominant OGs for $200 Alex.

...ain't no way i'm drafting a DT no matter how little value there is at that pick just for the sake of picking a DT with our first pick.

[Mr. Scot]

You could throw DE into the mix here instead of DT if you prefer. Same rules apply (good vs great, etc).

[nagai]

You could throw DE into the mix here instead of DT if you prefer. Same rules apply (good vs great, etc).

Eh on second thought, if we see a great anything (other than returner, kicker etc.) we should grab him. Trades are pretty commonplace in this league, and if we even get say a great safety or LT, we'll have more ammunition and get better value out of it.

[Mr. Scot]

Eh on second thought, if we see a great anything (other than returner, kicker etc.) we should grab him. Trades are pretty commonplace in this league, and if we even get say a great safety or LT, we'll have more ammunition and get better value out of it.

Valid, but I'm kinda hoping to keep the discussion centered in the trenches (OL vs DL) rather than just making it into a general "BPA vs need" discussion.

[John Fox]

i doubt there will be any "dominant" guards late in the 2nd round though...

[Nu Guns]

OG if Peppers is still here

[Fireball77]

Gut says DT, and yes I am thinking long term. Not only is defense the weaker unit, but also the biggest weakness is on the most important part of that unit, the DL.

If the G can play C too though that's really a tough call because then also need another guy who can play C. In that case I would probably have to say the G-C.