The Panthers addressed two huge needs in the first
round by taking running back Jonathan Stewart with their own pick and moving
back into the first to take tackle Jeff Otah. The Panthers really didn't address
their defensive line, which ranked last in the NFC in sacks last season and has
lost two 2007 starters.
Round 1, Pick 13 (13) Jonathan Stewart RB 5'11" 235 Oregon
Stewart will pair with DeAngelo Williams in Carolina's backfield. He's
recovering from toe surgery, but the Panthers felt comfortable enough about the
injury to take him with the 13th pick. Stewart started 25 contests with 516
carries for 2,891 yards and 27 touchdowns. He's got great quickness and
strength.
Round 1, Pick 19 (19) (From Eagles) Jeff Otah OT 6'6" 340 Pittsburgh
The Panthers move up to select Otah, who started 24 games the last two years at
Pittsburgh. The idea is to have Otah open up holes for Carolina's earlier
first-round pick, Jonathan Stewart. Otah's strength and toughness were major
selling points for Carolina.
Round 3, Pick 4 (67) (From Jets) Charles Godfrey CB 6'0" 207 Iowa
Godfrey's a little thick in the upper body which makes it harder to have the
quick reaction necessary at corner, but he could fit well as a cover-two corner
or safety in the NFL. He's an excellent tackler, but can get beaten in pass
coverage.
Round 3, Pick 11 (74) Dan Connor OLB 6'3" 233 Penn State
Connor has been compared to Dan Morgan and is a great value at this spot in the
draft. He had over 400 tackles in college, can call the defense and play
strong-side or middle linebacker. One of the smartest players in the draft and
had excellent production in college.
Round 5, Pick 6 (141) (From Jets) Gary Barnidge TE 6'6" 243 Louisville
He gets in and out of breaks well and has the ability to change direction. He
caught passes from Brian Brohm at Louisville and it's a little surprising he
fell this far.
Round 6, Pick 15 (181) Nick Hayden DT 6'4" 291 Wisconsin
Hayden comes with experience, having started for four years at Wisconsin. His
greatest strength is his strength; he had 34 reps on the bench at the combine.
Known as a run stuffer, he will need to improve on his consistency and
technique.
Round 7, Pick 14 (221) Hilee Taylor OLB 6'3" 242 North Carolina
A defensive end who projects to an outside linebacker in the pros. A three-year
starter at North Carolina who will likely start out on special teams.
Round 7, Pick 34 (241)
(Compensatory selection) Geoff Schwartz OL 6'6" 332 Oregon
Schwartz probably projects as more of a guard than a tackle. He has good
strength but lacks speed and quickness.
Round 7, Pick 43 (250)
(Compensatory selection) Mackenzy Bernadeau OG 6'4" 298 Bentley
Bernadeau worked out at Boston College's Pro Day and got a great deal of
exposure there. He had a decent workout and projects to be a guard.
Carolina Panthers
2008 NFL Preview
The power offense and good defense makes for a very good team, not an elite
one. It's just a little bit scary to see a team with division title aspirations
have this much roster turnover. The Panthers will have a strong
running game as they got road grater Jeff Otah in the first round to
go along with first round pick Jonathon Stewart and returning
D'Angelo Williams. Couple that with a healthy Jake Delhomme and the
Panthers can make some noise in the NFC South.
Offense: Jake Delhomme is the key as he had a qb rating of
111 before he was lost for the year last year. Steve Smith tried to
carry th offense, but could not throw the ball to himself. Smith,
Mushin Muhammed, and D.J. Hackett should all have huge years with
the return of Delhomme and the offense adds Jonathan Stewart to
D'Angelo Williams in the backfield so this offense should be very
productive and be able to control games. Josh McCown has been added
for insurance at QB
Defense: With Jon Beason at MLB, Thomas Davis at SLB and the
presense of Na'il Diggs the Panthers will stop the run. The real key
to the defesne though is Julius Peppers performance in a contract
year. We are used to seeing this and expect a moster year from
Peppers so he can get his next big contract. Having moved to right
end, he could be a monster this year and that defence could be
something else to watch.
Overall: The Panthers addressed their big needs in the draft
and with every position strong except for perhaps defensive line
they should contend for a division title.
Carolina’s front
office and coaching staff is executing a specific plan, something
that injuries and roster ambiguity have prevented as of late. The
NFC South has had a different division champion in all six years of
its existence so you can't count the Panthers quite out, but they
are by no means a lock either.
