List our draft picks in descending order of your excitement level and explain why

[frash.exe]

WR Devin Funchess - There's a big difference in saying you "have a bunch of diverse options at 2nd WR" and saying you "have a bunch of diverse options at 3rd WR". It usually means the difference between being depleted vs having depth. This guy makes the difference. You could do some amazing things with two guys on the edges that are very very tall. Unlike many people on this board, I'm not so high on the idea that we "need" a small WR. Maybe the best complement to Kelvin is another giant? And what happens when you put 6'3'' Stephen Hill in the slot and you add 6'5'' Greg Olsen to the mix? This will be the look on every secondary's face when they play against us:

OT Daryl Williams - a real darkhorse lineman prospect. This probably would've been the panthers' pick at the end of the third if they didn't trade it away. This isn't a finesse blocker. More of a mauler who started 35 games of division I football. Last year we were going in with undrafted guys and converting defensive tackles to build our OT core. Now we've got a few former first round picks and this guy. That's a vast improvement, personnel-wise. I think the blocking is going to be better this year.

SS/LB Shaq Thompson - lol Charles Godfrey this guy ain't. The panthers were a disaster waiting to happen against spread offenses in 2014 and now we've added a lot more ability in our back seven to deal with it.

RB Cameron Artis-Payne - for some reason people on here applauded this selection the most. Stewart's going to start and this guy can take some of the slack off him.

LB David Mayo - a guy with a face who does a thing. Could be useful for STs I guess.

[TheRumGone]

Funchess.

His versailtility. KB and Olsen are beasts but there is only so much they can do. Like Devin said in the conference call, the panthers liked that he could line up in multiple positions. It gives us some major options to work with. (Here's hoping Shula will know what to do).

The only thing Devin has in common with KB is height. He's a much better athlete and KB is no slouch. Offense should be much more exciting. Cam needef this badly.

Shaq

Similar to funchess he gives us options on defense. Another poster had an amazing write up. Basically saying shaq will be our kam. Helps disguise what we are doing especially against spread teams.

Williams

Hog fuging Molly, enough said. A much needed talent infusion on our line.

Payne

Great feet, doesn't go down on first contact and is very familiar with the option plays we run with cam

Mayo

I dunno bro, whatever.

[hepcat]

Most excited - Funchess.  Highest upside IMO.  Solid duo with Benjamin has to have Panthers fans excited.  Gettleman has to think he can start right away if he traded up for him.  

 

Least excited - Mayo....duh.  How can I be excited about a small school LB with inflated tackle numbers because of playing in the Sun Belt conference.  But from what I've heard he can hit hard and should be an immediate player on special teams.

[FootballMaestro]

Funchess.

His versailtility. KB and Olsen are beasts but there is only so much they can do. Like Devin said in the conference call, the panthers liked that he could line up in multiple positions. It gives us some major options to work with. (Here's hoping Shula will know what to do).

The only thing Devin has in common with KB is height. He's a much better athlete and KB is no slouch. Offense should be much more exciting. Cam needef this badly.

Shaq

Similar to funchess he gives us options on defense. Another poster had an amazing write up. Basically saying shaq will be our kam. Helps disguise what we are doing especially against spread teams.

Williams

Hog fuging Molly, enough said. A much needed talent infusion on our line.

Payne

Great feet, doesn't go down on first contact and is very familiar with the option plays we run with cam

Mayo

I dunno bro, whatever.

 

Ditto!

 

Though Mayo may be able to provide depth or service at line backer, and/or Special teams.

[stirs]

Williams

Shaq

Funchess

Payne

Mayo

[Riverboat Ron]

Mayo, because he can tan fannies.

[L-TownCat]

Excited to see them all in some way or another.

 

if I had to rank I suppose it would go...

 

1)Funchess

2)CAP

3)Shaq

4)Williams

5)Mayo

 

 

 

edit:  Question, do you think we can get big Daryl Williams into a #34 Jersey?  Sure would help me out.

[FootballMaestro]

WR Devin Funchess - There's a big difference in saying you "have a bunch of diverse options at 2nd WR" and saying you "have a bunch of diverse options at 3rd WR". It usually means the difference between being depleted vs having depth. This guy makes the difference. You could do some amazing things with two guys on the edges that are very very tall. Unlike many people on this board, I'm not so high on the idea that we "need" a small WR. Maybe the best complement to Kelvin is another giant? And what happens when you put 6'3'' Stephen Hill in the slot and you add 6'5'' Greg Olsen to the mix? This will be the look on every secondary's face when they play against us:

OT Daryl Williams - a real darkhorse lineman prospect. This probably would've been the panthers' pick at the end of the third if they didn't trade it away. This isn't a finesse blocker. More of a mauler who started 35 games of division I football. Last year we were going in with undrafted guys and converting defensive tackles to build our OT core. Now we've got a few former first round picks and this guy. That's a vast improvement, personnel-wise. I think the blocking is going to be better this year.

SS/LB Shaq Thompson - lol Charles Godfrey this guy ain't. The panthers were a disaster waiting to happen against spread offenses in 2014 and now we've added a lot more ability in our back seven to deal with it.

RB Cameron Artis-Payne - for some reason people on here applauded this selection the most. Stewart's going to start and this guy can take some of the slack off him.

LB David Mayo - a guy with a face who does a thing. Could be useful for STs I guess.

 

Excellent post and animation overall.

 

Funny (BOLD), the best WR's in the league are the Dez Bryant, AJ Green, Larry Fitzgerald, Julio Jones types, and most of those guys DO NOT POSSESS elite speed.

 

The big, physical receiver, who can make the circus catches is clearly where the league has gone over to. And as you and other posters have said, Funchess (if he's good) can bring so much more diversity and mismatches for the offense. And his mere presence-if he's good, will open things up for the speedsters Brown and Ginn, as the others (Olsen, KB and hopefully Funchess) have to be covered.

[mbarbour21]

Funchess:

Several reasons. Main reason though is the fact I believe he fills one of our biggest needs. We have been missing this since Smitty and Moose were together.

Williams

I put Williams second just because, although he fills a big need, he will most likely be replacing Remmers.....who I was perfectly fine with starting. But let's face it, our o-line has been pretty horrible lately. This guy will help solidify it for years.

Shaq

Only reason Shaq is third is because he is a defensive player. I absolutely love his versatility and understand there actually was a spot he needed to fill. I expect him to try his best to take it to the house every time he creates a turnover. He will all of a sudden morph into a RB. Big hopes for this guy in the future as well.

Mayo

I know, why is Mayo not at the bottom here? REALLY? Has everyone forgot just how bad our special teams was last year? Plus, I like Fozzy and Todman. He fills a big need as well, we need all the help there we can get.

Payne

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to see him on the field too. But all these other guys fill needs we so desperately.......well.....needed. Love the fact he is familiar with the read option. Seems to follow his blocks well.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

I really wouldn't be surprised if Daryl Williams ends up being better than Peat (who the Saints took at 13th overall).

[KJ89]

Shaq. I don't know how they'll use him and it excites me. Kuechly/Davis/Shaq is a wet dream.

Funchess. Another huge receiver to walk all over defenses. And finally we have a real #2 across from our #1 which we never do. That's huge. And he can move around. This too excites me.

Williams. Anything to improve Cams protection excites me.

Mayo. Moar linebackers.

Artis-Payne. He finds holes and seems to break at least one tackle every time he runs. He could be fun.

[RevJ]

Williams - When we can run, it really opens up our passing game.  With Williams and Turner, I see us being able to run to the right - and -no more cutesy plays on 3rd/4th and 1 - just line up, point right and go.

 

Thompson - Like already said - he disguises what we will be doing and finds a way to make plays.  I remember everyone being upset when we took Davis over Derrick Johnson but I would not trade then or now. Not that Johnson is bad, but Davis is our heartbeat.

 

Funchess - Not as thrilled as everyone else.  If he was as good as is being touted, wouldn't other teams have known?  Having said that, I believe he can be a solid #2 receiver. gotta admit, the name sounds a bit girly . . .

 

Payne - He sounds hard nosed and tough which could be good to wear down defenses.  Not really a break away guy, but no more "Dancin' With the Stars" like D'Lo would do on some plays.

 

Mayo - Maybe Mayo could be a body double for Bersin and field punts.  Has he ever done it before? Doesn't matter, could not possible be worse.  In the off-season, they can do modeling shoots and promos for Locks of Love.  

[pantherphan96]

1. Williams
Nasty road grader, hoping he turns out to be like Turner this year and becomes a force on our line for years.

 

 

2. Shaq

Versatile LB/S option. Allows for Klein and Glanton to contribute most on ST. Great replacement for Blackburn essentially.

 

3. Payne

Strong RB who is great at breaking tackles and not losing yardage. North-south runner, which is great after seeing Dwill lose yards all last year running laterally.

 

4. Funchess.

Big body receiver, good target for Cam.

5. Mayo
I don't know much about him, but tackle totals show at least he can pursue and wrap up effectively. As a 5th rounder, at least he can shore up ST

[Mol3m4n]

I agree with the op.