David Newton: Panthers will NOT add Gurley or Gordon (unless they fall to the second)!

[top dawg]

This is the first time that I've seen David Newton talk in an absolute, so to speak, when speaking of the Panthers draft plans. He says they "won't" use that first pick on a running back. 

 

The Panthers still might use a draft pick on a back. They just won’t use it in the first round for Georgia’s Todd Gurley or Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon -- unless one of the top-rated backs falls into the second or even third round. 

 

 

He mentions some possible mid-tier free agents in Ryan Mathews, C.J. Spiller or mark Ingram, but concedes that even this is not likely because we have bigger needs at other positions.  His core premise though is that our current stable of RBs is enough to handle the load, even without Deangelo Williams.

 

Newton did say (without the absolute, mind you) that the Panthers would in "all likelihood" fill D-Will's void with a mid-rounder.  As deep as this draft is with arguably talented RBs with projected mid-round grades, the Panthers really can't help but upgrade the position.  

 

I doubt Ameer Abdullah will be available, but Duke Johnson or Jay Ajayi, "Come on down!"  

[RoaringRiot]

BPA (other than RB)

[JJman Returns]

Well I love Melvin Gordon and still would be okay with either one in the first. But I understand this choice completely and i still have hopes for Duke Johnson or Abdullah in the 2nd!

[chknwing]

only a Sith deals in absolutes

[t96]

So basically, we have atleast 25 players ranked above both of them...?

[Jangler]

was a RB taken by any team in the first round last year? 

 

nope

 

2 54 Tennessee Titans Bishop Sankey RB Washington

 

[Mr. Scot]

was RB taken by any team in the first round last year? 

 

No, and I think that was the second year in a row.

 

[LinvilleGorge]

Considering we picked a RB in the 6th round last year even with DeAngelo still on the roster, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see another mid to late round draft pick added at the position.

[LinvilleGorge]

So basically, we have atleast 25 players ranked above both of them...?

 

People take BPA way too literally.  Position absolutely figures into the BPA equation.

[Growl]

So basically, we have atleast 25 players ranked above both of them...?

No, probably not, but they just dont really fit into our needs which is the focus.

[Cary Kollins]

I don't think Newton was speaking in absolutes.

 

 

He said it "would be stunning" if they picked a RB at 25, but didn't say they absolutely wouldn't.

[Growl]

I've watched virtually nothing of Gordon but Gurley is incredible. If he's there on board in the 2nd, then even I in all my disdain for high round RBs would be hard pressed to pass him up.

That said, it's only an outside shot he's there and this draft is deep with talented players at the position. You're going to see a plethora of NFL starters come off the board in the later rounds (rather than Kenjon Barners), and I figure we probably get one there.

[TylerVagyler]

David Johnson in the 3rd or 4th

 

Dude is a monster

 

[stratopanther]

I think Duke Johnson will be a beast I'd be happy if we snagged him at some point.