David Newton's (and Mel Kiper's) draft grade

[top dawg]

Link

 

Overall, I'd give this class a C-plus based on need. The plus is the Godfrey factor that nobody outside the organization was aware of. 

Based on value and potential impact, I'd give it a B-minus. I really like the addition of Missouri defensive end Kony Ealy in the second round. He adds another pass-rusher to a defense that led the league in sacks last season with 60 and gives general manager Dave Gettleman flexibility for the future in dealing with the big contracts ofCharles Johnson and Greg Hardy. 

 

 

 

Exactly what I gave the Panthers overall, though I gave a plus based on Kony's reported potential.  Newton gave a little extra based on value and potential impact (kind of hedging his bets), though his "overall" grade was still a C+.

 

Kiper wasn't as gracious, but still in the mediocre range:

 

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. gave the Panthers a C-minus based on need and a C based on value. He wasn't quite as high on Benjamin and the failure to get a tackle played a role in his evaluation. 

 

 

From an intellectual standpoint I can give a nod of the head to the first three picks, because we absolutely addressed some immediate needs in two out of the three, and got a potential beast from reports who may serve an ulterior motive on the business side as well. But day 3 I found my self scratching my head as opposed to nodding, but Newton noted that it only matters what Gettleman and Rivera think at the end of the day. 

 

 I'll just continue to take a wait-and-see approach before I proclaim this draft as a success or a failure.   At this point, i don't see how anyone can be ecstatic, or ready to jump off a bridge.  Most of us are naturally going to be somewhere in between if they tell the truth. 

 

 

 

 

[The Huddler]

If people are going to be pessimists, then so be it.

I am exited about our picks, and I see where they fit in with the big picture. I'm sorry some others don't. I love the Panthers and I'm excited about our future and who is piecing this team together.

[PantherWake]

I really like the first 3 picks. Outside that.....meh.

[TheRed]

Can we just lump all these draft grades in one thread.

[The Huddler]

In my eyes the picks after 3 are bonus. Rarely do they pan out. Many people never agree with a pick unless its a name they recognize. You know, a name someone on TV who never built any kind of football team would be good.

Heres a tip, leave it up to the guy who has been scouting for 30 years to determine who will be a late round pick.

[FootballMaestro]

All nonsense/who cares!

 

Now let's move on. 

[Riverboat Ron]

I really don't know what people expect, I guess they think only if we have a teh epic mock draft where we land 1st round players in the 7th it's decent. 

 

The first three rounds were fantastic, Benjamin gives us a big #1 WR. Ealy was a #25-35 range pick in my estimation and to get him in the 2nd at #60 was great value on top of the fact it gives us our Tuck to match with Strahan and Umenyiora. Trai Turner is a guy I've had my eye on for a while, plug and play starter at RG who had he stayed another year would've been a high 2nd rounder. 

 

Overall I give the first 3 rounds an A-.

 

After that I think we got some good developmental and special teams players. Boston will be developed behind DeCoud and work on special teams. Benwikere will compete immediately with Godfrey for the starting nickleback spot and it wouldn't surprise me if he wins out. Gaffney will be a special teams guy or be redshirted a year on IR. 

 

Overall I give the last 4 rounds a C+.

 

I think we did a fantastic job in rounds 4-7 considering we weren't as lucky in terms of players falling to us. I'm convinced we would've grabbed Pierre Desir in the 4th had Cleveland not sniped him, a move in which I didn't see coming considering they have Haden and drafted Gilbert. That would've allowed us to either still trade up for Benwikere or taken someone like Jared Abbrederis in the 5th and so on changing the draft. 

[The Huddler]

Please read and take my question into consideration.

Which of these people on TV, "draft experts", have build succesful NFL football teams? Who? All of these websites, mayock, kiper..

Sure some of these people make good points, possitive and negative about us. Like not having a LT. Thats justified, but so many people hear what these "experts" have to say and just take it as final.

I trust nipple shorts. As far as what i have seen on the field, he has not let me down. I take all fo these dudes who said cam would suck with a short consideration.

Yes. Most of these people and sites that people refer to to back up their claim that our draft sucked, those same people said cam would suck.

Maybe their evaluation sucks