Grade Our 2014 Draft

[L-TownCat]

I give this draft an A.

Value was there with almost every pick. Our front office and scouts made a plan, stuck to it and made moves when they needed to get their guy. I trust this group and if these are the players they wanted then they are the players I want.

[MHS831]

I don't think it makes any sense arguing about it right now.  We are really grading our emotional reaction to the draft more than anything. 

 

Kelvin Benjamin is a large target who can do so much more than other WRs for that reason.  I think he could be very special, where the other WRs were not much different than what we already have on the roster.

 

Kony Ealy is the defensive end we are grooming to replace either Hardy or Johnson.  There was no chance we kept both on contract in 2015.  Ealy should get some valuable rotational minutes.  He can play the 3 technique and rush from both sides of the line. 

 

Trai Turner is now our best guard, and he allows us to release Chandler, Williams, and Bond to try their hands at T.  Frankly, I think Nate Chandler will be the LT and people who laugh at that do not know much football.  He has experience as a TE (feet, coordination), DT (hands, drive) and G (blocking in space, angles).  He should understand football enough to be as good as any rookie we could have landed.  RT?  Bell, Williams, Bond.  Winner take all.  2 have experience there.  Remember, many of Cam's pressures were due to the lack of open WRs (evidenced by the number of times he checked down to Olsen). 

 

Tre Boston was, in my opinion, a bit of a reach.  However, he is a verbal leader.  He is also rather new to the FS position, having played CB and SS at UNC.  He is raw, but he has a year or two to work on the position with DeCoud.  Did they see Mitchell in him?  I expect to see him on special teams and maybe in nickel/dime situations.

 

Bene Benwikere (guessed at spelling) is probably a nickel CB who could fit on the outside as a reserve.  He is slow for a CB (4.63) but that was at the combine where many players ran slow, but he has a 40 inch vertical.  I know nothing about him other than he is considered a "ball hawk".  This pick this late tells me that they are happy with White/Cason.  Don't forget that we re-signed Dockery and intend to move Godfrey to CB.  Thomas and Norman round out the CB spot.  Are we better than last season?  I think so.

 

Tyler Gaffney could become the next Brad Hoover here.  He is a back who does everything out of the backfield--blocks, catches, and runs.  He is big (220) and fast (4.4s) and was a good value.  Remember when DWill decided to criticize the GM for cutting WRs on social media?  Perhaps Gettlemen does too.  This kid should be a special teams ace and part of a rotation that includes Stewart (if he is healthy), Tolbert, and Barner.  Personally, I think DWill will be let go before the season starts-regardless of the dead money--for the roster spot and to show other players how NOT to criticize the organization.

 

 

 

[stirs]

Admit it, you guys want guys that the talking heads have been touting.  So, if Tiny Richardson, who I thought would be great in the 4th, did not get picked in the entire draft, by any GM,  then I am supposed to be pizzed at Gman for not taking him in the 4th because, I knew the name.

 

This is the Day 3 story x1000 around here

[TylerVagyler]

For the most part, I really like the Panthers draft. 

 

Kelvin Benjamin, WR - Considering who was on the board at pick #28, KB was the guy I wanted. I know he had a poor combine but you can't bury a guy based off one performance. His 40 time was on the slower side but as Gettleman said "you can't coach 6'5" 240 lbs". Also, when watching him play, you wouldn't know he ran a slow 40. He can also create separation with his strength and size. He seems like a humble guy who realizes he has some work to do but the ceiling is very high. At times, Cam can struggle with accuracy and often overthrows his WRs. I don't think he'll be able to overthrow Benjamin. This pick also means no more awkward trips to the redzone. Just throw it up to the big guy.

 

Kony Ealy, DE - Somewhat of a weird pick but Gettleman drafts on value and had Ealy as a first round grade. Like Benjamin, Ealy is not yet a finished product but he has the luxury of playing with Hardy and Johnson. I'm looking forward to seeing how the rotations work with Ealy and Hardy both being able to line up inside on passing downs. Ealy - Hardy - Star - Johnson is an intimidating pass rush on 3rd and 10. More importantly, this pick gives us leverage next offseason with Johnson and Hardy. As nice as it'd be, I doubt we can keep all 3. I'm guessing the team will wait to see how Hardy performs this season and base their decision off that. Releasing Johnson next offseason would save the team $11 million and he's older than Hardy so I'd prefer for him to be the odd man out.

 

Trai Turner, OG - Awesome pick that meets value and need. Turner is only 20-years old and will need to keep grinding to completely develop his game but he's not far from being a force. He's a true hog mollie and an excellent run blocker. He played in a very similar scheme to what the Panthers run while at LSU. He straight up moves people and has the ability to get to the next level. Love this pick. Day one starter. Amini - Kalil - Turner will be a nice interior to help take pressure off the weaker tackles.

 

Tre Boston, S - Hated this pick at first but he's growing on me a little bit. Schematically, he makes sense. He's a ballhawk who is at his best when he can sit back in zone and react. He's also a solid tackler. Sitting behind our front 7 will obviously be a benefit to him and his development. I expect him to be a special teams guy and a backup to DeCoud in the upcoming season. 

 

Bene Benwikere, CB - Another decent pick but nothing to get overly excited about. Like Boston, he's at his best when sitting back in zone and reacting. Great instincts but not a great tackler. Needs to hit the gym and develop the physical side of his game. I like his potential but not too sure what to expect from him.

 

Tyler Gaffney, RB - This is my favorite pick in the draft. Williams and Stewart are both on their way out. The only thing keeping them on the team are those atrocious contracts from the Hurney-era. I don't necessarily expect it but I actually wouldn't be surprised if Williams becomes a June 1st cut this offseason. As far as Gaffney is concerned, he's the perfect RB for our system. Smash mouth runner who can wear the defense down but also has the ability to break out a big run. He rushed for over 1700 yards and had 21 rushing TDs last season for Stanford. 

 

I hate grading drafts this early but as of now I'd give this draft a B-.

[IamSoClutch]

If you look at this draft for what it means for our future it gets an A. Ealy probably is Charles Johnson's replacement. Which will save us at lot of money when we possible cut him next year and sign hardy. That will keep our DE strength a strength and makes it younger. KB well become the number 1 we've always wanted with Ricky coaching him. Harper is old as fug and Godfrey may not be the same after that Achilles. We saw what that did to beason. So Tre Boston makes since. Trai Turner would have been a first round talent next year if he didn't come out early and also opens holes to our expensive back field. Dwill is getting old and Stewart is never healthy. Getting running backs more is important cause they will both be gone in two years.

I'm really starting to think they see something special in Chandler. I do admit however I would have like RT to challenge Bell

[Hammerin'Cameron34]

B

[Hammerin'Cameron34]

Turner is going to really help our run game and at 20 he can be our guy for 10 years. I think Turner might be the best pick in the draft for us. Our run game is going to flourish this year.

[Kakarot]

Gave it a C.

Spent yet another draft on defense. I'm ok with the Benjamin and Turner picks. Feel we could've used that Ealy pick on a #2 WR(Allen Robinson was there!) or a OT. I understand the Ealy pick, but I just don't think you need to go after someone that is in a position of strength, when we have major weaknesses on this team.

This was one of the best drafts for WR and we only came out of it with one. I sure hope KB works out. I expect Cam to have to carry this offense again this year.

[MedellinHeel]

I give it a C.

 

 

[stirs]

Admit it, you guys want guys that the talking heads have been touting.  So, if Tiny Richardson, who I thought would be great in the 4th, did not get picked in the entire draft, by any GM,  then I am supposed to be pizzed at Gman for not taking him in the 4th because, I knew the name.

 

This is the Day 3 story x1000 around here

 

As I was saying,

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/05/11/draft-experts-share-responsibility-for-underclassmen-who-are-undrafted/