Why in God's name would we pick Bowers #1?

[Mother Grabber]

I thought we were going to draft Cam Newton at #1, and then play him at DE.

[Davidson Deac II]

Personally, I think once Hardy has another year under his belt, he is going to be very good.

The only reason to take Bowers would be if we planned on trading Brown or Hardy for another pick.

[mav1234]

I thought we were going to draft Cam Newton at #1, and then play him at DE.

Yes and in the unlikely scenario he bulks up like Russell, we can slide him in to DT!

[PantherDude]

I want Peterson or a good DT. I don't think we need another DE. With how Marshall is likely gone & we don't know what will happend with Gamble, might be good to get Peterson. Or a DT, since our DT is pretty thin & not good enough.

[Jackofalltrades]

Gamble is under contract, he's not going anywhere. Marshall's return wouldn't surprise me either.

DT is clearly our biggest need other than QB and though I don't like him, I'm not ready to write off Clausen.

[JawnyBlaze]

I think part of that is the other side was more of a revolving door. CJ would stay in whether passing or running down. Brayton was mostly in on running downs, and Hardy and Brown would get in on passing downs. I think Johnson and Hardy as starters with Brown rotating in on different defensive looks will suffice for the core of the DE group. Add in a backup or two (Brayton until he gets old and 1 more backup if necessary) and DE is perfectly fine.

Tyler Brayton: 22 tackles, 0 sacks

Everett Brown: 25 Tackles 3.5 sacks

Greg Hardy: 30 Tackles, 3 sacks

TOTAL: 77 tackles, 6.5 sacks

Charles Johnson 62 tackles, 11.5 sacks

You can make a case for an additional DE. The first pick of the draft does not have to go to the biggest need; there are other rounds, trades, and free agency.

DE is important in an attacking 4-3. Bowers eliminates the need for rotations between Brayton, Brown, and Hardy.

[MHS831]

Gamble and Munnerlyn are a good pair. Past them, the draft is deep at CB. Someone can be had there later. But I will say one reason guys gave up catches, like McClain (except when he got punked in ATL) is the lack of pressure generated on the QB. You think Colin Branch was good? Or Dante Wesley? No, but for 2 seconds they could hold off a WR while Jenkins, Peppers and Co. got in the QB's face. With Hayden, Neblett and Co. there the QB has forever to throw, and CBs look worse than they are.

There will be CBs in the 4th who can do the job. This Defense doesn't require elite CBs.

We are drafting either Fairley or Green. Green if Smith continues to posture as if he is leaving, Fairley if he returns. However, they may see Smith as an eventual cancer and decide that he has soured.

I blame Smith for hitting teammates. I do not blame him for his current frustration. However, we are adults and he must abide by big boy rules. If I drafted a young QB who is thrown into service before he is ready, I do not want my assault artist in his face on public TV or making critical comments to the media about him. Most people underestimate how damaging that stuff is.

[OchoNueve]

Hardy is versatile and will find a place on the field even if we draft Bowers. Brown has shown glimpses of potential but IMO hasn't proven the worth of the first round pick we gave up for him. Brayton has proven to be a pretty solid starter opposite a great DE, but lacks the elite talent and at a salary of $3.5 million in 2011 he is a good candidate to be cut. Biggest offseason move (besides whatever we do at QB) is to resign Charles Johnson right now because franchise tagging him would be insane with what we would have to pay him! DE may not be our biggest need at this point in time, but if CJ bolts out of town (unlikely but could happen) i would think that DE becomes a bigger need than DT.

[ncbobcat]

Bowers is out of the question. McShay is a douche for even suggesting we are going DE over DT, CB, WR, or even QB.

If he or anyone else thinks Bowers is BPA and that is the reason we draft him over need, then the douche factor just doubled.

[CRA]

Bowers is out of the question. McShay is a douche for even suggesting we are going DE over DT, CB, WR, or even QB.

If he or anyone else thinks Bowers is BPA and that is the reason we draft him over need, then the douche factor just doubled.

Bowers easily could end up being a better defensive player than Fairley. I don't get why people think Fairley is a more sure thing.

I think DE (if Smith stays) is a bigger need than WR. Carolina has been operating w/ one legit DE on the field for years now. Hardy hasn't proven enough to think we can pencil him in yet......and lets not forget Johnson doesn't even have a contract.

[unicar15]

We will not be drafting DaQuan Bowers. Rivera is too innovative on defense to spend a #1 pick on a defensive end. By that I mean he's not going to be like Fox and rely on his prized draft pick to get all the pressure on the QB. So there is no reason to spend the #1 pick on him. If we had ANY talent at all at DT he'd pass on Nick Fairley too but we don't so he might pick Fairley...but not Bowers. JMO..

[ncbobcat]

Bowers easily could end up being a better defensive player than Fairley. I don't get why people think Fairley is a more sure thing.

I think DE (if Smith stays) is a bigger need than WR. Carolina has been operating w/ one legit DE on the field for years now. Hardy hasn't proven enough to think we can pencil him in yet......and lets not forget Johnson doesn't even have a contract.

Sorry, Bowers isn't all that. He's consistant, but far from dominant. You say we've been working with one solid DE for years. Tell me how lond it's been since we've fielded a legit DT? Not since Jenkins left. Hardy, if he can stay healthy unlike college, has more potential than Bowers. Bowers is good, hardly great though. You can't seriously and HONESTLY think the Panthers are going to let CJ walk? You know there's a better chance of trading to get Peppers back from the Bears.

[CRA]

We will not be drafting DaQuan Bowers. Rivera is too innovative on defense to spend a #1 pick on a defensive end. By that I mean he's not going to be like Fox and rely on his prized draft pick to get all the pressure on the QB. So there is no reason to spend the #1 pick on him. If we had ANY talent at all at DT he'd pass on Nick Fairley too but we don't so he might pick Fairley...but not Bowers. JMO..

Rivera needs more than Charles Johnson. Right now, that is the only proven guy he has that can create problems. Him and Beason.....maybe Anderson. Everyone else is a question mark or just isn't that good except in relief work. An every down DE is probably a lot more attractive to him than some fans think imo.

[OchoNueve]

Hardy, if he can stay healthy unlike college, has more potential than Bowers.

crazy talk... If you throw Hardy into this current draft right now, he isn't going in the first round. Bowers is a lock for top 5. Come back to earth from planet "Panthersarebestteamever"