Top Post-Draft Needs: Nfc South

[panthers90]

Can some with insider post what they say about the Panthers?

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story?id=7941609&_slug_=biggest-post-draft-needs-every-nfc-south-team&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfl%2fstory%3fid%3d7941609%26_slug_%3dbiggest-post-draft-needs-every-nfc-south-team

I as thinking to myself, other than some competition for Barnidge, rather than just giving him the second TE position, I can't really think of anything.

Hope:

Adams or Pilares can be a #4 WR

Alexander can be a good pass rusher

Our group of DTs collectively can get the job done

Hogan, Butler, or Norman can be our 2nd CB

Smith starts for Martin, or at least makes it so Pugh doesn't see the field...

I guess O-line depth never hurts.

[Ken]

My guess they'll say CB and DT.

[Mage]

Our group of DTs collectively can get the job done

Not if they all suck.

(Not saying they do and I trust Rivera, but it is still a need)

[Jackofalltrades]

I still don't think DT is a need.

[TopCat]

Probably something idiotic like.

Carolina has still failed to address the DT position even though Head Coach Ron Rivera has told us that the DT position is fine. So the coach is wrong and they need a DT. It would also be nice for Carolina to go ahead and snag another weapon for Cam Newton to help prevent him for a sophomore slump. They could use help at the corner position since they have no one. They should try and pick up a running back.

[JawnyBlaze]

Carolina Panthers: Wide Receiver

The Panthers let No. 2 receiver Legedu Naanee depart via free agency and do not appear interested in re-signing second tight end Jeremy Shockey. That leaves them with 81 receptions and more than 900 yards of passing offense to replace, but they did little to address the wide receiver or tight end positions in the draft.

The absence of Naanee and Shockey will be felt in the red zone, where they were targeted a combined 23 times. Naanee was not very successful in the red zone -- seven catches in 15 attempts, one touchdown -- but Shockey caught four touchdowns. Someone will need to step up and provide the counterpunch to Cam Newton options and Steve Smith fades.

Brandon LaFell caught 36 passes last season and pushed Naanee into a supporting role. David Gettis is on the mend from an ACL tear and is the favorite to take over in the slot. Rookie Joe Adams is shifty and can contribute in the slot and on end arounds. There is no real difference-maker in the bunch, but the second receiver in the Panthers run-heavy offense is typically the fourth or fifth option.

Replacing Shockey may be trickier. Gary Barnidge showed promise in 2009, but he has played in just three games since and is now recovering from a broken ankle. Veteran Ben Hartsock is not a viable second tight end on a team that uses two tight ends on such a high percentage of snaps. The Panthers may tweak their offense, replacing some two-tight end sets with two-back formations that make use of free-agent acquisition Mike Tolbert, an all-purpose fullback.

I disagree that WR is our top need...

[JawnyBlaze]

I don't think we have as many holes as a 6-10 normally does, but that's just the opinion of one Panthers fan. I think a #2 CB is still our top need, and no matter how much we don't have a proven #2 WR, we don't still don't have a proven #1 or 2 DT. I'll trust Rivera, but Lafell and Gettis have proven at least as much as any of our DTs.

[TopCat]

Nothing about a DT? Shocked.

[Ivan The Awesome]

LOL, so because Legs left, we need a #2 wide out? That's implying that Legadu actually did something. LaFell was more productive and Olsen was pretty much that #2.

[JawnyBlaze]

Yea, I thought that was funny too. WHERE OH WHERE WILL WE FIND SOMEONE TO REPLACE NAANEE'S PRODUCTION?! As if Lafell or someone else wouldn't have caught the passes thrown to Naanee if he weren't there. Shockey was a great presence and good for the team and all, but he didn't exactly have a record setting season. Even if Barnidge doesn't catch a single pass, Shockey's stats should be easily replaced by Olsen and/or Tolbert. And at #2 WR, I'm sure someone else can fill the role of the "let the ball bounce off your hands into the defender's waiting arms" WR just as well. They might even catch a few of those instead...

[Ivan The Awesome]

There's plenty of young gun wide outs that want a chance. I think LaFell is a #2 borderline #3 wideout. With the addition of Tolbert, who is great at catching in the backfield. The production will just be distributed to other players. All the backs we have catch the ball well and get yardage. Gettis is the X factor in this. I hope he comes out guns blazing and tears it up.

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

I am in no way worried about our offense. We have one of the best O coordinators in the league. He will get it done.

[j2sgam]

I have faith that Chico & Co will make it happen. While Shockey was a good presence, his production is easily replaceable. Gettis and Barny will combine for at least 9 TDs, if not more. Chud will use who he has, continue with what he started last season, and make this offense better than 2011. Yes, better...

Does Tolbert make our run game better? I gotta think so.. I think there a #2 already here, just havent seen him yet but we have a few options. So I would say that the passing game has to improve, not that difficult to be better than Legs. Pilares, Adams or an UDFA is almost certainly an upgrade...

Rivera knows defense. I am completely confident he will get this team to the top of the defensive rankings. He made SD and #1 defense. San Diego.. I know he did it with Chitown too, but I think it was a little easier with Briggs & Co than Merriman er..Weddle & them others... We know we have a beast in Beason, Anderson is solid and a helluva prospect with Keuchly. One might even go as far as sayin potentially top3 LB core. Aint no way the defense is worse than last season, no way but up...

[carolinarolls]

I agree with DT not necessarily being a need. There is plenty of talent and depth there already. If the brass feel like we can stand pat, and they obviously do, then I am optimistic and anxious to see the strides this group has made.