Grade Our 2014 Draft

[Jimbo]

Rookies will struggle, especially if they are injured.  I didn't see much out of him, but he had very limited opportunities, and almost none in the return game because of Ginn owning that role.  I really feel that he will make the roster this year, he's cheap and useful, the combo of what Gettleman loves.

Rookie running backs playing well immediately is hardly unprecedented.  Barner looking terrible last preseason doesn't mean his career is over but it's not particularly encouraging either.  I'm absolutely hoping he can become a viable option.

[DaveThePanther2008]

I went with B for two reasons. 

 

1.  Day 1 and 2 were successful.  Benjamin has the ability to be a good outlet and keep eight out of the box. Can make the tough catches.   Ealy is a first round talent that fell to 60.  Gettleman's comments ring in my ears.   "If you reach you are gonna make a mistake."   We didn't reach for a player and we took BPA.   Also as he said.  "You can't rush the QB enough, hard to pass on a good football player at 60."

 

2. Day 3 the only player I have heard of was Boston and that is only because he was as Tarheel.  That said, I have to believe Gettleman knows what he is doing.   I was WTF but just have to believe in the system.   Get the best players available and go from there. 

 

If you add a player in whatever round and he lacks, you are going to cut him sooner or later.  If you add a football player then you are going to at least have great competition and a guy that can grow into the position.

 

I said this yesterday,  I believe Gettleman is going to get this team to a position that if one player walks, we have the next man up. I don't mean someone who is just serviceable, I mean just as good as the man that was in front of him.  That only comes by adding the best players available.  

[frash.exe]

Carolina Panthers: Their draft was puzzling to me. Why not a left tackle? Is Byron Bell the answer? Kelvin Benjamin is a big receiver, but I liked others more. Why draft a defensive end with so many other needs? Grade: D

From cbssport.com

Piss off cbssports

[Gallagher]

I gave it a B. Good, but not great. I love the Benjamin pick. I think he can be our Calvin Johnson. I dig the depth we got on the lines and in the secondary too. Can't give top marks though, because I don't have have as much faith as Gettleman and Rivera that Bell and Chandler can be our starting tackles.

[Riverboat Ron]

I'd give this draft a B just because the first 3 rounds were very good. The pick that took our draft from an A to a B is when Cleveland unexpectedly took Pierre Desir one pick ahead of us, after that pick nothing seemed to fall to us.

[SevyDamus]

A or B+. In 2 to 3 yrs I believe we get 4 or 5 starters out of this draft.

[LinvilleGorge]

Meh, draft grades right after the draft are meaningless. I'm scratching my head about some of the picks, but I was scratching my head about the Short, Kugbila, and Klein picks last year.  A year later and two of those three picks are looking pretty damn good.  I loved the Barner pick and a year later it looks like he may have a tough time making the roster this year.  You just never know how things are going to play out.

[TN05]

D-

We focused 2 picks combined on WR and line. We focused two picks combined on RB and DE. Terrible draft, just hope Benjamin turns out fine.

[solorca]

My first impression is a B.

Benjamin - Not my top choice at WR, but it's a pick I can get behind. I felt he was a little too raw to give the team immediate help beyond the red zone. C

Kony Ealy - Love this pick. Hardy and CJ take up too much cap space, so one has to go. This gives Ealy a year of on the job training and will allow a seamless transition at the position...allowing our biggest strength to remain. My only fault with this pick was that Allen Robinson was still on the board. I wanted him over Benjamin, so I was sad to see him passed over again. A-

Trai Turner - We needed O Line help and while the value at tackle wasn't there, this was a solid choice. The interior of our line is going to be much better. B

Tre Boston - I'm not a fan of this one. I've seen him play and he never impressed me. There were still a number of solid WRs and CBs on the board at this point that I strongly preferred. D

Bene Benwikere - Very solid. Passing on Desir earlier was disappointing, but everything I've read about Benwikere is great. Admittedly, I haven't seen him play.. So I'll just judge this on what I've read. B+

Tyler Gaffney - I like the pick, but passing on Abbrederis at this point is something I think we will regret. Gaffney has the potential to take over at RB next season, so this is a pick that makes sense. C

With all of that said, judging a draft at this point is silly. I remember loving plenty of Hurney drafts that sucked.

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[FattyFatFat]

Just off face value I'd say a B. We got better at receiver, guard, and secondary .

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[yasuhara2241]

I gave it a B. 

 

1. - Love - A

2. - Good value but I wanted Moses or Allen - B-

3. - Starter so I can't complain - A

4. - Not sure about this pick but mainly bc of my own lack of knowledge but I will still complain bc of bigger "needs" - C

5. - We needed a nickel and traded up to get him so he must be good right? - B

6. - RB................. D

 

Overal Solid B

 

[Navy_football]

i give it an A- minimum.

 

you whiny ***** need to realize we just got a future superstar at WR that we've been griping about cam not having for three years, we grabbed a potential superstar at DE that lets us get out of CJ's contract next year so we can fuging sign cam back to begin with, we grabbed a guard that's a day-one starter and gives us desperately-needed push from the interior and can actually pick up assignments so the tackles don't look like down's kids, we got a corner who can replace captain munnerlyn and not get burnt by anybody tall enough to ride the snoopy land rides at carowinds, and we nailed a value pick at running back that gives us leverage against the two giant double trouble albatrosses round our necks. literally the only questionable pick was boston at safety, and even then we lost mitchell and have no clue how any of the FAs we signed will actually pan out, so i take that back, it was a great pick.

 

we are one tackle away from being better than the 2013 team that led us to 12-4 and not capfuged and perpetual paraplegics in free agency. plug your drippy cooters and stfu and enjoy the ride, it's going to be awesome

 

 

Pie for you sir. 

 

This draft solidifies GMan's approach to managing this team. "You will be replaced before you will be overpaid." Mitchell, Cap, Ginn and Lafell are direct casualties. CJ, DWill and Stew are all on notice. Cam and Hardy will get new contracts within a year, and Luke will need to be taken care of within 2.  I really don't think GMan lets Hardy walk to keep CJ. 

 

On the surface, this draft doesn't look to address immediate needs for the team. Okay, I'll grant any naysayers that statement. Except for RG. That position has been the worst on the team, and looks to finally have been upgraded. That position has almost gotten our franchise QB killed, and has stifled the running game for the past 2 seasons at least. Turner alone could improve the offensive output. Throw in a legitimate RZ receiving threat and the offense has been upgraded. It really has. Cam loves throwing the fade/corner route in the RZ, but a 5'9" WR is not the best option for that play. Olsen has the size, but isn't really the type of athlete to win a jump ball - Kelvin Benjamin is. 

 

Filling holes and short term needs has and will be addressed in FA. The team core and long term needs has and will continue to be addressed through the draft. 

[jtm]

You guys act like 6th and 7th rounds are filled with elite talent. Most 6th and 7th rounders never start a NFL game other than special teams.

After the 4th round, 90% of the players are best case scenario a capable back up.

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[Cat Fanboy]

The problem with giving grades, either us or media - is because if you go into the draft believing you know the Panthers needs and they dont draft they way you think they should you down grade them.  When they do you give them an A.

 

I thought our needs were addressed and early - very happy myself.  :)