Panthers Third Round Pick #78 Brandon Lafell WR

[Kurb]

Brandon LaFell, 6-3/206 Wide Receiver LSU

http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2010blafell.php

# Strengths: Big, strong frame

# Very physical off the jam

# Natural pass catcher with soft hands

# High points on jump balls

# Uses body to shield corners

# Tough to bring down in open field

# Productive Y.A.C. receiver

# Clutch on third down

# Impressive body control; coordinated athlete

# Shows ability to adjust to poorly thrown ball

# Extremely competitive; good intangibles

# Great blocker

# Potential No. 1 WR with upside

Weaknesses:

# Inconsistent route runner

# Tends to round off on digs, outs, posts, etc.

# Lacks a little burst out of breaks

# Inconsistent hands in previous years

# Not much of a vertical threat

# Not an elite athlete

Summary: LaFell projects as a very big, physical possession receiver with the potential to profile as a No. 1 in time. He needs to work on his route running, but overall he’s a very well-rounded player whom I think will be a better red-zone target in the pros than in college due to poor quarterback play at LSU. LaFell will go off the board in the top 35-40 picks.

http://www.draftcountdown.com/ScoutingReports/WR/Brandon-LaFell.php

Strengths:

Excellent height and bulk --- Smooth athlete --- Super aggressive and competitive --- Tough, powerful and physical --- Good leaping ability with nice body control and ball skills --- Strong hands --- Will ****** passes out of the air --- A polished route runner who knows how to get open --- Will work the middle of the field --- Good vision --- Runs hard after the catch and will break tackles --- No trouble getting off the line / beating the jam --- Terrific blocker --- Big play threat who plays faster than he times --- Durable --- Productive --- A lot of quality experience.

Weaknesses:

Average timed speed and quickness --- Lacks a burst --- Inconsistent concentration and will drop some balls --- Small hands --- Does not get a lot of separation --- Can he get vertical against pro corners? --- Not very elusive --- Poor balance --- Questionable work ethic --- Immature.

Notes:

A three-year starter for the Bayou Bengals --- Named 1st Team All-SEC in 2008 and 2nd Team in 2009 --- Initially entered the 2009 NFL Draft but changed his mind and returned for senior season --- Ranks in the Top 5 in school history in career receiving yards (5th), receptions (3rd) and touchdowns (2nd) --- Caught at least one pass in 41 consecutive games to close out his college career --- Led the Tigers in receiving three years in a row (2007, 2008, 2009) --- Dwayne Bowe clone with a well-rounded game and the potential to be a true #1 target in the NFL.

[Panther59]

At 78 I like Andre Roberts, Carlton Mitchell, or Taylor Price.

[blueblurr]

I like Taylor price, Cam Thomas, Ricky Sapp, or Dominique Franks

[pantherj]

Yeah I like Taylor Price in the 3rd as well.

[jramsey4]

We really need to wait and see which way they go in the 2nd. Could be a guy like Austen Lane or Geno Atkins could be Andre Roberts/Jacoby Ford/Price. Can't even begin to guess what this FO will do in 2 rounds.

[Shermdog]

I would love to see us take Andre Roberts or Taylor Price in the third.

[Shermdog]

Or Gilyard.

[Lout]

Gilyard will be a bust and the NFL teams know it.. which is why he will drop to 3-4th round.

It much depends on who we take in the 2nd.. If we take McCoy.. I think we take Taylor Price in the 3rd.. if we take a WR in the 2nd, then I think we go Dan LeFevour in the 3rd.

[ammofan]

ANY WIDE FREAKING RECEIVER! NOWWWWWWWWWWWW

lol

[Happy Panther]

Good upside and seems like we got him for a bargain draft pick.

If it is true that his QB sucked then who knows

The Charlotte Observer confirms that third-round pick Brandon LaFell will be given a chance to compete to start for Carolina.

The catch is that John Fox doesn't subscribe to playing rookies. Therefore, Dwayne Jarrett is the presumptive favorite to start at flanker. LaFell, though, could at least earn a role in three-receiver sets. Starting split end Steve Smith has made it clear that he wants to see more action in the slot.

[DawgzLife]

This was a good pick. He will can take the #2 WR position & get Armani Edwards as the slot. Jarrett can massage their (LaFell & Edwards) feet while the defense is on the field.

[Happy Panther]

Even if Jarrett sucks, Fox will wait until he gets a mysterious toe injury in week 15 to start Lafell

[DawgzLife]

Unfortunately you are probably right. Fox has always had a mental block when it comes to rookies (remember sticking with Foster instead of DeAngelo when it was obvious). There are many examples of this with Fox. He IS 'getting' better in this regard tho. I feel this is a major reason why he is even on the hot seat. Fox is a very good coach & we are lucky to have him. He just needs to pull the trigger a little quicker when guys prove themselves, IMO.

[SorthNarolina]

Unfortunately you are probably right. Fox has always had a mental block when it comes to rookies (remember sticking with Foster instead of DeAngelo when it was obvious). There are many examples of this with Fox. He IS 'getting' better in this regard tho. I feel this is a major reason why he is even on the hot seat. Fox is a very good coach & we are lucky to have him. He just needs to pull the trigger a little quicker when guys prove themselves, IMO.

keeping williams behind foster wasn't really that bad. Foster was still better in pass protection and williams wasn't as confident in his cutbacks or running with much power.

Keeping foster behind Davis was one of the crazier one's I can think of.