It's A Fair Question...

[Proudiddy]

Is Hurney the greatest late-round talent evaluator in the NFL?

Look at recent late round picks he's made...

2005

• Geoff Hangartner - 5th round - Played a few years here, quality player, got some starts IIRC, performed great... Ended up signing a nice contract with Buffalo to be a starter.
  
• Jovan Haye - 6th round - Played in only two games for us, but was a sleeper favorite with fans, was eventually released before his second season. Ended up with the Bucs, played excellent for 2 or 3 years there and earned a nice contract with the Titans as a starter (was projected as a DE when we drafted him and found his success as a DT IIRC, as he currently plays with the Titans).
  
• Joe Berger - 6th round - Put on the practice squad before his rookie season and was scooped up by the Dolphins. Was injured and eventually waived, then picked up by the Cowboys. Finished his contract with the Cowboys, then signed back with the Dolphins and according to wikipedia is now their starting C. (EDIT: correction - Berger is NOT their starting C)
  

2006

• Jeff King - 5th round - Everyone should be familiar with King here. A guy who gave his all while he was here... Better utilized as a blocker than a receiver as he lacked some athleticism, but did display great hands when given the chance as pass catcher. Signed with the Cards this offseason but was our starter for most of his tenure here. Also enjoys sh*tting his pants during games.
  
• Will Montgomery - 7th round - I believe he was a C coming out in the draft, seemed like a serviceable OL while he was here. Played one year with us in 6 games with 4 starts (IIRC our OL was ravaged with injuries that year), didn't make it to a second year here and ended up playing with the Jets and is now with the Redskins. He played in 13 games last year with 6 starts.
  
• Stanley McClover - 7th round - A pre-season favorite in his tenure here with us. Many fans clamored for him to get an expanded role while he was here. Earned the nickname "Predator" while he was here. Ended up being waived before his third year with us, was picked up by the Texans and ended up washing out of the league.
  

2007

• Dante Rosario - 5th round - Solid, athletic TE. Everyone should be familiar with him as well. Had some great games for us and memorable highlight type plays. Played out his rookie contract and is now signed with the Broncos.
  
• Tim Shaw - 5th round - I loved his game while he was here and was hoping he would get a more expanded role but it never developed... Really athletic LB, hard nosed, always hustled. Ended up being waived before his 2nd year, played with the Jags, then with the Bears. Turned into an awesome ST player with a club record 30 ST tackles for the Bears. And then this from Wikipedia: "On January 27, 2010, the USA Today announced that Shaw had made its All-Joe Team, honoring the NFL's unsung and underrated players." Signed with the Titans before this season.
  
• C.J. Wilson - 7th round - Everyone should be familiar with CJ as well. Has proved to be a solid STer, also an awesome fill-in starter when we've had injuries. Still with the team now and got significant snaps with Gamble and Munny out in the first PS game.
  
• (must point out that this is draft is mostly notable for producing 3 elite-level starters in the 3 of the first 4 picks with Beason, Kalil, and C. Johnson)
  

2008

• Gary Barnidge - 5th round - Everyone should be familiar with Barny. Awesome athlete, speedy, great potential. Should see an expanded role on the team this year with TEs being an integral part of the new scheme and passing game. Great ST player in his limited role under Fox... I see him being a great player for us in the future if he's given the chance as the 2nd TE.
  
• Nick Hayden - 6th round - spot starter. Great tackling dummy, problem is he plays defense and should be doing the tackling. Still here... Somehow.
  
• Hilee Taylor - 7th round - Another sleeper fan favorite (seems much of our fanbase likes to adopt late round DLs)... Was a sort of project player but showed flashes in limited action. Hung around and was released before TC this year. Was given a chance to play with the Lions, decided to retire instead.
  
• Geoff Schwartz - 7th round - Full-time starter last year with injuries to the OL. Performed admirably, fighting for a starting spot at G this year. Solid depth with starting ability at the least, can be a solid starter.
  
• Mackenzy Bernadeau - 7th round - started 12 games last year for us and 7 the year before. A physically gifted player, but took a beating around here for many of his performances last year. Also fighting for the starting RG spot with Schwartz. Pretty much the same ability/potential in regards to starting or depth. Good player.
  

2009

If we count the 4th round, Hurney swiped up:

• Mike Goodson - 4th round - The best 3rd RB in the league, ability to start on almost any other team in the NFL, if only he could consistently hold onto the football. Has gamebreaking ability, great potential.
  

• Tony Fiametta - 4th round - Became the starting FB last year and was part of the reason for Brad Hoover's release. Athletic player, yet to see if he becomes the reliable lead blocker we came to expect in years past but has showed promise.
  
• Duke Robinson - 5th round - Could've been the steal of the draft. Incredible ability and potential, but apparently just not does care about football. Always out of shape, no drive, will probably be cut this year.
  
• Captain Munnerlyn - 7th round - Starter opposite Gamble going into this season. Has showed great potential and promise since his rookie season and has earned the right to start. Fan favorite.
  

Also signed Tyrell Sutton as an UDFA after being released by the Packers prior to the '09 season and is obviously the best 4th RB on any roster in the league. I believe he could start elsewhere, at worst would be a quality 2nd RB on any roster in the league. Great all-around versatile player.

2010

Again, if we count the 4th round we have:

• Eric Norwood - 4th round - DE/LB tweener, great athlete and potential but needs to be developed and given a position. Under Rivera, has been converted to a DE and is now the starter opposite CJ, with the potential to win the spot depending on Hardy's performance when he returns. At worst, will most likely be the 3rd DE in the rotation behind CJ and Hardy. Shown ability and potential to be a great player.
  
• Greg Hardy - 6th round - First-round talent with injury and character questions that caused his stock to slip during the draft and we scooped him up. Is the projected starter opposite CJ when healthy. Exciting, athletic, great potential... Has all the tools to be an elite DE, and earned comparisons to Peppers in regards to his athleticism. Exciting player, could be the steal of all late round picks Hurney has made.
  
• David Gettis - 6th round - I called that he would make the roster and possibly end up being the #2 WR before camp even started last year. I had seen him play at Baylor his last year there and was impressed and knew his combo of size/speed/athleticism could be special. Tons of potential, has a habit of body catching, but can be coached up into a productive, high-level starter eventually. Showed flashes of brilliance last year and eventually became the #2 WR despite poor QB play. Tore his ACL in camp this year and is out for the season, but with a full recovery, the great potential remains. Get well soon DG!
  
• Jordan Pugh - 6th Round - Tweener CB/S coming out of college. Really athletic and showed tremendous potential last year. Could be a starter at safety if Godfrey and Martin weren't already here. Should see plenty of action this year. Exciting young player.
  
• Tony Pike - 6th round - Liked his potential coming out, but questionable arm strength. Fell behind in camp this year with injury and is now behind Anderson on the depth chart. I don't expect him to make the team this year.
  
• RJ Stanford - 7th round - Meh. Saw action last year, has potential but is yet to be seen.
  
• Robert McClain - 7th Round - Performed well in extended action in first PS game this season, saw some action last year... Pretty much same description as Stanford. Both have really good potential but is yet to be seen, most likely guys who fill out the 53 (if they DO make it) as quality depth for the time being.
  

2011

From the 4th round on:

Brandon Hogan

Kealoha Pilares

Lawrence Wilson

Zach Williams

Lee Ziemba

All guys showing exponential promise and potential and viewed as possible starters at different positions, at worst, top backups. Really impressive haul in the late rounds, possibly his most successful late round draft yet in terms of quantity and quality.

Also, the UDFA signings of K. Burney and Ugo Chinasa could prove to be steals. I see both guys with the potential to be the 4th guys at their respective spots on the roster come season opener.

So, despite all the flak Hurney has taken over the years for various reasons (usually from uninformed fans with limited knowledge of football), is he the greatest late-round talent evaluator in the NFL?

Discuss, comment, whatever... And you're welcome for the perspective.

[Mr ocho nueve]

I voted yes, only because that's my favorite thing about Hurney and his scouting staff, they always produce great, well at least good players in the draft. He might not be the best of all time, but he is great at his job and it shows when we have guys exploding on the scene from the late rounds.

Although I've grown weary of him overpaying alot of players, I can say the man gets the job done.

[Guest Jacob3-89]

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Best all time 1st round picks

Best all time late round picks

Best all time free agency

Just a total mystery as to why we've never had a consistent winning franchise with him and are coming off a league worst 2-14 record

ehh, it's probably all delhomme's fault or something wooo go hurney

[Ivan The Awesome]

Late round would be 5th (maybe) 6th and 7th.

I'd love it if he'd hit his 2nd every time though...

[rodeo]

Tom Brady, Matt Cassell. Ahmad Bradshaw, Kevin Boss.

Vs.

Stanley Mcclover, Mackenzy Bernadeau.

Someone serviceable to the Panthers for a brief period is a far cry from the stars that have emerged from later rounds. Hurney is good at getting talent to help the team from late rounds, but he hasn't really found any superstars.

This contributed nothing, stop ruining this board with stupid pictures and talk about football.

[Mr ocho nueve]

Late round would be 5th (maybe) 6th and 7th.

I'd love it if he'd hit his 2nd every time though...

It's his only weakness, I hate to say, he's quick to pull the trigger on those 2nd rounders.

[Ivan The Awesome]

It's his only weakness, I hate to say, he's quick to pull the trigger on those 2nd rounders.

I'd add, Not knowing when to let go and over paying to his weaknesses.

[DickolausJ]

I think Hurney is top 10 GM maybe top 5. He has just had some real bad wiffs in the 2nd and 3rd rounds in the past. Last 4 years I think he has been damn good. Gotta give a shout out to the entire scouting team.

[brandon_87]

Now if only he could get rounds 2 and 3 right.....

[Proudiddy]

Tom Brady, Matt Cassell. Ahmad Bradshaw, Kevin Boss.

Vs.

Stanley Mcclover, Mackenzy Bernadeau.

Someone serviceable to the Panthers for a brief period is a far cry from the stars that have emerged from later rounds. Hurney is good at getting talent to help the team from late rounds, but he hasn't really found any superstars.

This contributed nothing, stop ruining this board with stupid pictures and talk about football.

Good points... But, I'm willing to bet Hurney is more consistent across the board 4th and later each year in finding starters to fill out our roster or guys who eventually end up doing well and starting elsewhere.

The Pats hit big on some guys, but do they do it each year? They are certainly up there, but I'm just not sure any other team is able to fill out their roster like we do with quality, talented late round picks.

[csx]

Good points... But, I'm willing to bet Hurney is more consistent across the board 4th and later each year in finding starters to fill out our roster or guys who eventually end up doing well and starting elsewhere.

The Pats hit big on some guys, but do they do it each year? They are certainly up there, but I'm just not sure any other team is able to fill out their roster like we do with quality, talented late round picks.

If he is so good at getting quality late round pics than why are there legitimate questions about CB, WR, and DT?

[bleys]

you can't discuss Hurney without discussing the Scouting Department, and since Don Gregory has been on staff, it's hard to argue Hurney's late round picks haven't stepped up..

in a few years, I think last year and this year is really going to shine through and change some people's perception..

[SCMunnerlyn1]

If he is so good at getting quality late round pics than why are there legitimate questions about CB, WR, and DT?

David Gettis WR

Captain Munnerlyn CB

CJ Wilson CB ( not great but certainly not bad)

There have only been 5 defensive tackles drafted late round(4-7) in panthers history

Nick Hayden 2007

Viliami Maumau in 1998

Steve Strahan 1995

Kerry Hicks 1996

and Alvin McKinley 2000