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2009 Draft, the way I see it...

NanceUSMC

By NanceUSMC,
in Carolina Panthers

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NanceUSMC Newbie

NanceUSMC

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For what it's worth here's my analysis of how things went. Print this out and take it to your local coffee shop, along with 2 bucks and you can get yourself a cheap cup of coffee and a ready made place mat... Either way, here goes...

Everette Brown, DEFlorida State: Brown immediately fills the team’s need of an effective pass rusher, and will certainly compete for a starting position. He also lessens the blow and fallout of the Julius Peppers situation, regardless of what happens (holdout, trade, extension, etc). Rated as high as the 6th overall player on some credible draft boards, the Panthers got a real steal in the second round, at the cost of next year’s #1 of course. However, if Peppers is traded, the team likely recoups that selection, and if he stays the defense is bolstered anyway. Thumbs up on this highly aggressive move, that definitely sends a message the front office was paying attention and means business. Grade: A+

Sherrod Martin, DB Troy: Martin effectively addresses two positions for the Panthers: CB and FS. Martin is a highly talented playmaker that the team believes will be an effective nickel back, with the potential to start in the event a starter goes down to injury. Martin is a true ballhawk and a solid tackler. He may need some time to develop, but there is no better place to do that than the nickel slot. This may have been a tad bit high for him, but this was certainly no ‘reach’. Grade: B

Corvey Irvin, DT Georgia: Exceptional athleticism for a man his size. Extremely strong, he gives the Panthers some much needed depth to a defensive line that was clearly guilty of wearing down late in games, and appeared to simply be outmanned late in the season. At worst, Irvin offers depth. At best, he offers a high upside tackle that could compete for a starting slot. Grade: B-

Mike Goodson, RB Texas A&M: The immediate heir apparent to special teams standout and team leader Nick Goins. Goodson, a junior, was a bit of a surprise when he announced his intention to forego his senior year with the Aggies. His best fit will be as a change of pace back, and perhaps a slot receiver (a la Goins). Extremely dangerous in the open field, could see time as a returner as well. Nice selection that offers needed depth at several positions. Grade: B+

Tony Fiammetta, FB Syracuse: Brad Hoover is an outstanding overachiever, but is 32 and will soon start to show the wearing down that comes with the territory. Enter Tony Fiammetta, the best fullback this draft has to offer. Fiammetta, a team captain at Syracuse, is well built for the part, and has been highly effective. Fiammetta is more than a one dimensional blocking back, and should offer the Panthers a nice weapon from the FB slot, as well as a smooth transition to the future of the position and life after Brad Hoover. Grade: A

Duke Robinson, OG Oklahoma: Thought by many to be the best OG in the draft, character and judgment concerns pushed him all the way to the 5th round. Provided he can put his maturity concerns to rest, Robinson has the ability to not only start from day one, but also has the ability to reach the Pro-Bowl in time. He immediately softens the blow of losing Hangartner, and if he keeps his nose clean and is open to coaching at the next level he could be one of the steals of this draft. And if he can’t, he could be a sad story of what could have been. Grade: A+

Captain Munnerlyn, CB South Carolina: Hurt himself by declaring for the draft early. Lack of height hurts him. Loves to play physical. Has the speed to contribute immediately in the return game. Has shown some character concerns in the past. All in all, a late round boom or bust project who could contribute anywhere from the return game, to the nickel and dime packages, or just as a really fast water boy. Grade: C

Overall I’m excited about this draft. The Brown pick (coupled with the likelihood of retaining Peppers this year) gives us a nice boost to the pass rush. The Panthers also hold all the cards when dealing with the situation (particularly given the potential of an uncapped year in 2010), and could be looking at keeping Julius for at least 2 more years whether he likes it or not. The Robinson selection has the potential to be huge. He was exceptional value in the 5th round. The additions of Goodson and Fiammetta infuse youth into the RB corps bracing for the eventual departure of Brad Hoover and immediate need to fill the void left by Nick Goins. Corvey Irvin fills the need of adding depth to the defensive line, and is a pick that has a potentially big upside to it. All in all, the Panthers were aggressive and used this draft in lieu of their lack of maneuverability in this offseason’s free agent market. They effectively addressed the majority of the team’s most pressing needs. For a team returning 21 starters, they did quite well, in my opinion, adding 2 or 3 players who could potentially push this season for starting roles, and a handful more who should at the very least see special teams time, if not significant backup roles. It’s easy to armchair quarterback a team’s draft. It’s easy to think less of a team’s front office personnel for not getting ‘your’ guy in the 5th or 6th round. It’s easy to complain about a team for not moving down when you think they should’ve. But in the end, we as fans, must realize that we don’t know what is going on in that room. We don’t know whether there were any trade partners. We don’t know what players the team did and didn’t like, and for what reasons. All we can do is look at the product brought to us and state our opinions, which (of course) we are all entitled to. And in my opinion, after trading away next year’s first rounder, I believe the Panthers needed to hit a home run with their first pick and in this draft, and I feel that’s exactly what they did. Exciting draft for such a boring offseason. Grade: A-

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