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Carolina Panthers 2008 NFL Draft and
Free Agency Team Needs
The top needs for the Panthers to fill
in the upcoming draft and free agency.
Wide receiver: The
Panthers need a playmaker to take pressure off Steve Smith. Mushin Muhammad
was brought back into the fold to take some of the pressure off of Steve
Smith. However, a future young wide receiver still needs to be groomed to
start opposite Steve Smith
Offensive Tackle: Both
Jordan Gross and Travelle Wharton were free agents who were retained but
Wharton is going to be moving inside to guard which means they still need to
find a stud left tackle
Defensive end: Mike
Rucker wants to come back and play another season, but even if he re-signs
with Carolina they still need to upgrade and add youth here. Even if Rucker
were to return for a victory tour next season, the Panthers should still
make upgrading this spot a huge priority. Unless Tyler Brayton or Charles
Johnson can step in and perform well, another young defensive end needs to
be acquired
Free safety: Deke
Cooper did a decent job filling in last season, but he's not going to scare
many offensive coordinators. Besides, he's a free agent so there's no
assurance he'll be back. A young ball-hawking, play-making free safety as an
upgrade over Deke is needed to start immediately
Running back: The
Panthers were happy with the play of DeAngelo Williams, but they cut DeShaun
Foster last week. Cap economics come into play here. Foster would have
carried the second-highest base salary on the team ($4.75 million) into
2008.
Quarterback: Jake
Delhomme is coming off a serious injury and had been on shaky ground before
that. Meanwhile David Carr is already gone, and Matt Moore is still
unproven.
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