This Years #1 Draft Choice Is Up In The Air.

[Ivan The Awesome]

I honestly don't know who is going to be picked. Last year, even though I wasn't sold on Cam. I knew we were going to pick him a month in advance.

This year it just so happens that the Panthers have the 9th over all pick in the NFL draft. This pick is crucial to the teams direction. Which is obviously to improve from last season. Arguably the second round pick will also make much impact.

The needs of this team are various. Defensive tackle, Corner back, Outside Linebacker, Offensive Tackle. Guard, Wide Receiver, Punter ( I know we won't choose a punter in the first two rounds..), Defensive End, Tight End in case Jeremy Shockey does not come back. Which looks like he won't.

So far the Special teams have been the main focus. The additions of Special teams aces and players that know how to tackle. This may be a precursor of what the focus might be on the draft as well.

As the draft gets closer and closer. I'm obviously happy, but I am pondering more and more what exactly we will do with the first two picks?

I know that the DT position is a need. So is the CB position. Those are the most glaring needs, arguably. Some have said that the WR spot is another position that should be addressed. Having the #9 pick this year is kinda meh. If we would have been a little better or a little worse. I'm sure we would know who is going to be picked by now. As of now, it's in the air.

Trading down is another option, but really, who will trade with us? Have the brass made any smokescreens that suggest preference to a player that will trigger a team to react and trade with us for him? The way I see it, all the teams are sitting pretty on their spots, they will get the player they want by just waiting. While we are at a position of barely missing out or reaching for a player. At least that's what it feels like.

I honestly don't believe it will be a DT unless it's Fletcher Cox. Again, I don't believe it will be a CB unless it's Claiborne, by some miracle, dropping to that spot. I'm leaning more towards a pass rushing DE or a scheme diverse defensive player. The offensive players that could be taken would be in the offensive line or a Wide out.

Quinton Coples fits the bill with the first label. Melvin Ingram and Fletcher Cox go with the diversity notion. Offensive players, Rieff, DeCastro(yes this high.), and Floyd.

Of course if any of these players are available that is. I've narrowed it down to these 6 players, one of these guys will be picked #9.

Q. Coples

M. Ingram

F. Cox

R. Rieff

D. DeCastro

M. Floyd

I wouldn't mind any of these guys picked at #9.

Those are the ones that I would say are being targeted by the front office. I think it's important to say that trading up for anyone shouldn't be done. Not finishing a draft is counter productive. Hurney should learn, or should have learned this by now. Especially if he wants to 'build' through the draft.

I've gone through a lot of combinations of who would be the first two picks. I haven't even gone through the list of players that could be available in the second which is even more amazing that we could potentially have then on the team. The likes of Coby Fleener, Stephen Hill, Jerel Worthy, Alshon Jeffery (meh), Janoris Jenkins, Zach Brown, etc, etc.

The combinations are endless, that's beside the point.

I know last year the consensus of the first pick was Cam, everyone knew it was him. This year...Not so much. I can't wait for the draft to get here already. It's only 3 weeks away.

For the tl;dr crowd. Stare at my sig.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

I'll take the girl in the pic. But seriously, like I've said there are a lot of good players we could draft. A lot of different directions we could go. I think I will be happy with whoever. I know our coaches/scouts, will do their very best, and all their homework to get the pick right.

[BEASTfromdaEAST]

I honestly think a lot of the guys we can pick will all be an immediate upgrade. So as long as its CB/DT/DE/LB I'm cool with it. Really hoping Claibourne drops tho. Gamble/Claibourne secondary would look real nice to me.

[Catalyst]

I really think Claiborne could drop to us. Everything is lining up just right with the Bucs seemingly zeroing in on Richardson and Ryan Tannehill vaulting into the top-10 - and possibly the top-5.

[section543]

Good analysis. I would be Ok with any of those as well, except I think Reiff might be overrated by some. Also, I think Ingram is a great athlete and very versatile, not sure he would be on the field every down. From that list, Coples, Cox, Floyd, and Decastro would probably contribute the most year 1.

[jarhead]

The reason its so up in the air is that we need every position with the exception of a QB,center and Left OT.

[davos]

The reason its so up in the air is that we need every position with the exception of a QB,center and Left OT.

The most glaring obvious need is a simply a defensive playmaker. A guy that can generate a game changing play...we're at 9 and you've got the likes of Ingram, Cox, Coples, and Kuechly to look at. Its a crapshoot this year. I'm pretty sure we'll be happy with whoever we get.

Great write up btw Ivan

[CarolinaNCSU]

I will cry if we draft Floyd. Smith, LaFell, Gettis, Olsen, DWill, Stewart, Cam, Tolbert. Give me a defensive player or even Decastro before Floyd.

[jarhead]

I just dont see the defensive play maker of past drafts there this year.I see guys with the physical attributes at DT and DE but with the exception of Cox not much film to support it.I think the biggest play maker is Luke K but his skills were not as a pass rusher.

I am sure one of these guys will be of pro bowl caliber but I will be damned if I know who it will be.My guess it is Luke.

[XClown1986]

The problem is that people forget what it is like to have a first round pick that isn't number 1 overall. The last time we picked in the first round other than Cam was 2008. So it's been awhile. It's always like this picking outside of the top 5.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I've narrowed it down to these 6 players, one of these guys will be picked #9.

Q. Coples

M. Ingram

F. Cox

R. Rieff

D. DeCastro

M. Floyd

.

Excellent List. Some comments

F. Cox - Fills a need but I dont know that he will be heads and tails above what we have and will still take too much time to develop

R. Rieff - My simple mind rules him out because we need defense.

D. DeCastro - My simple mind rules him out because we need defense

M. Floyd - My simple mind almost rules him out because we need defense but he could really be a star. Interesting.

Q. Coples - Was leaning towards Coples but after the Casserly read this morning I dont know if he is the guy.

M. Ingram - Versatile OLB who immediately helps bring credibility to the pass rush.

Floyd is tempting but I think it comes down to Coples and Ingram. I give Ingram the edge due to process of elimination.

[XClown1986]

With Hurney coming out and blatantly stating that we are "open to options" in the draft "and that "we have many positions to assess", we know he wants to trade down and get more draft picks. It's just a matter of if he can swing a deal. If he can't, it will be interesting to see who we believe is the BPA at 9.

[jarhead]

The problem is that people forget what it is like to have a first round pick that isn't number 1 overall. The last time we picked in the first round other than Cam was 2008. So it's been awhile. It's always like this picking outside of the top 5.

You are right last year 2011 it was Newton V Miller,Darius,P Peterson and AJ Green and J Jones and fell off after that.In 2010 it was even worse and Jason Paul was overlooked until 16

[Frizzy350]

It doesn't really matter who we take as long as they are a QUALITY pick. They need to be an immediate upgrade, they need to start day 1 and they need to be a playmaker.

Think of how many close games we lost last year. We just need an extra guy or two out there tipping those close games in our favor. Jon Beason alone will add a ton of playmaking potential for the defense so we really only need one good fit.