Drafting positions that pay immediate dividends

[hepcat]

With the first pick in the 2011 NFL draft, do the Carolina Panthers have time to "wait and see" on a developmental QB project like Cam Newton? My thoughts are the Panthers should look at history and draft a player that will pay dividends immediately. Positions like LB, CB, OL, and RB seem to be the safest picks for rookie success.

Take out the defensive positions - because the Panthers have the greatest need for talent on offense. Do the Panthers have any need for a RB or OL? No, so you look at the QB's, where the question mark is glaring, and say "who's worthy of the first pick" and I've gotta say NO ONE. Yes, the Panthers offense was one of the worst in NFL history last year, mainly because of the play of the QB, but will picking and starting another rookie solve anything? Recent success of rookie QB's could provide some hope for drafting a QB at #1, but this year's prospects are mediocre at best compared to past QB draft classes. Especially if there's no football next year, drafting a rookie QB who will miss an entire year of experience could be a really bad move.

For as many successful QB's that are drafted high in the first round, there are double the amount of busts. Missing on a high first round QB can set your franchise back and you'll have to dig yourself out. Slap Cam Newton in the 2004 draft and he's a mid first rounder at best, second rounder most likely. He's got great physical tools but has a history of character problems and lacks the track record of a winner (see JaMarcus Russell for a comparison).

Blaine Gabbert is being pushed to the top because of a lack of QB prospects at the top of the draft. He compares to a guy like JP Losman. Strong arm, spread offense, overhyped. You know the class is weak when he's being considered for the top pick.

That's why if I were the Panthers, I'd draft AJ Green. He's as close to a "can't miss" prospect there is in the draft on offense, having been successful his entire career at Georgia and maintaining a clean record. It gives the Panthers the opportunity to trade Steve Smith, on the backside of his great career and who undoubtedly would want to play for a winner at this point, for any value they can get for him. Hopefully grab another mid round pick. Smith has been vocal in his dislike of Clausen and removing that voice could be beneficial to him. Sign a vet at QB, see what Clausen and co. can turn out next year with a strong stable of running backs returning.

[OneBadassCat]

Draft- DT, WR, CB

Each can have immediate success and upgrade the team. Safe pick and doesn't make Rivera+Hurney/new regime potentially look like dumbasses if Cam fails.

[Millions]

They'll look like dumbasses if Cam pans out elsewhere as well..

[OneBadassCat]

Not really since Matt Moore is god

[frash.exe]

almost every single year we drafted for "now"

where'd it get us

[chef17]

Panthro's right.

John Fox has turned this into the pussiest fanbase in the NFL.

Him wanting to "draft a player that will pay dividends immediately" is pussified? Please explain this to me.

[teeray]

Unless AJ Green is taking direct snaps he will never touch the ball with our current QBs so he will likely pay zero dividens right away. :D

In all seriousness this is a legit possibility. AJ Green is a dark horse and I believe he is higher on the list than some people might think.

[chef17]

Because it shows a lack of trust in our front office and coaching staff to bring in and develop a player to pay even bigger dividends down the road.

i.e. fear of a bust

I didn't get that out of the post. I got more of what RB said, he wants to draft for now instead of the future. I don't see that as a fear, just wanting instant gratification.

[Ricky Spanish]

seriously though, do you honestly think that our team is good enough to win NOW if we add 1 DT or WR to our roster?

the correct answer is no way in hell. we were the worst team in the league last year for a reason, everyone sucked. we won't be able to turn this ship around in one season most likely. why not invest our pick that could pay dividends in 2-3 years down the line when we will for sure be back in a position to compete? that's what drafting a QB in the first is. it's an investment for the future.

I say nut up hurney and pull the trigger on the QB you like the best.

[mav1234]

gabbert to losman?? losman's strength was his deep ball, not his accuracy. he was very raw. had questions about his temperament, called arrogant by some, people questioned if he could win over a lockerroom.

[frash.exe]

this team could be the worst in the entire league and everybody would still be going "make the safe immediate impact low risk pick look at how that linebacker we picked has 110 tackles a year yea our defense finished 18th overall but look at that production that guy is a BEAST"

[Murph]

I say nut up hurney and pull the trigger on the QB you like the best.

No need to, the QB Hurney likes the best is the guy he pulled the trigger on last year (even tried to move up to snag him).

[mav1234]

seriously, could you imagine if Clausen was coming out this year?? uggh. We'd totally take him #1 overall, lol

Even after last year's disaster they STILL have him rated as only behind Newton and Gabbert. What if last year hadn't happened? Ahh man.

[CarolinaCatBrigade]

They'll look like dumbasses if Cam pans out elsewhere as well..

And they will be geniuses if he doesn't.