Rotoworld.com's View on the Panthers draft needs...

[Lone Buc Fan]

1. CB: The Panthers' secondary needs more depth now that they've lost Ken Lucas so they're likely to focus on corners that will shore up their talent base.

2. QB: Jake Delhomme had a successful return from Tommy John surgery but the Panthers might need to start looking towards the future and groom their next QB.

3. DE: Julius Peppers was slapped with the franchise tag but he's likely to jet from Carolina before long, meaning a DE of the future could be a smart pick for the Panthers.

Agree, or disagree?

[mr beauxjangles]

1. CB: The Panthers' secondary needs more depth now that they've lost Ken Lucas so they're likely to focus on corners that will shore up their talent base.

2. QB: Jake Delhomme had a successful return from Tommy John surgery but the Panthers might need to start looking towards the future and groom their next QB.

3. DE: Julius Peppers was slapped with the franchise tag but he's likely to jet from Carolina before long, meaning a DE of the future could be a smart pick for the Panthers.

Agree, or disagree?

This sounds to me like a not-so-informed opinion. It sounds like someone who read the three biggest headlines since the playoffs started and then made a list based on these three headlines:

1) Delhomme throws five interceptions in playoff loss vs. the Cardinals.

2) Peppers wants out of Carolina; requests trade

3) Unable to find trade partner, Panthers release Ken Lucas

It's not a laughable assessment, but it's not good. It just shows that this person doesn't really know much about this organization, the front office, our depth chart, or some of last year's depth that will be relied upon next year (see Richard Marshall, C.J. Wilson, Charles Johnson, etc.) There are probably at least fifty people on this forum that could give a better and more accurate assessment of our draft needs.

Please, don't let this thread turn into another "these are our biggest needs" thread...

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Yeah, it's pretty easy to figure out the good draft lists from the bad. If they have us taking a QB early they generally don't know what they're talking about. I seriously doubt we take a QB in any round, much less have it as our #2 priority.

[dksmith17]

Yeah, it's pretty easy to figure out the good draft lists from the bad. If they have us taking a QB early they generally don't know what they're talking about. I seriously doubt we take a QB in any round, much less have it as our #2 priority.

Agreed. Although the other 2 are not bad but in the wrong order.

I would go

1) DT

2) DE

3) CB

[TerriblePizza]

The pundit's view on us the past few years has always been QB. But, Delhomme will be around for at least two more seasons if not more.

Either way, I agree with CB as one of our top needs, but I'd probably say more DE.

1) DE

2) CB

3) DT

[SorthNarolina]

any article that doesn't state DT as the #1 need is wrong, after that it's all a matter of opinion but i think it is obvious we need a defensive tackle

i think a lot of the media thinks we need a QB and they are entitled to that opinion, so it's not wrong for them to say we need one, the only reason we don't list QB as a need is because we know fox won't draft one high

at least they've calmed down with the TE position, except for Mel Kiper Jr.

[Delhommey]

This is a horrid year for CB's.

[scpanther22]

This is a horrid year for CB's.

it realy a horrid year draft wise for all of our needs..only good thing is its a draft deep in RB and OT and OG..and WR and LBs

DT

DE

CB

[R0CKnR0LLA]

How big the need for DE is really depends on what happens with Peppers. As of now I see it as #1: DT #2: CB.

I don't think it's a horrid year for CBs actually. Granted, the top level talent for CBs is really weak, but it seems very deep as far as mid-level talent goes. I wouldn't want to use a 1st on any of the CBs this year, but we should be able to get a solid guy in the 2nd-4th round.

[bleys]

If Pep leaves:

With Ron Meeks coming in, I feel he may have more of an impact with our current players (our current DEs in particular). With that said, I definitely feel good about Johnson stepping up into a starter role and Tyler Brayton getting better after one full year as a DE. Therefore, I feel our biggest need on defense is DT (purpose being he can sub in for Lewis and groom him in the pass rush, but utilize him in run stopping.)

If Pep stays,

Then DE definitely isn't a need because I really feel Johnson will come into his own this year and Brayton is always there. We did half decent at pass rushing with them. I still think we go DT for the same purpose as written above.

Just my reasons in both situations why DE isn't as high of a need.

1. BPA

2. BPA

3. BPA

:smilewinkgrin:

[nosuchthingasapanther]

i agree.

unless carolina somehow snags a very high first round pick, they will draft BPA.

i predict a WR...and i would love it if they picked up demetrius byrd.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

If Pep leaves:

With Ron Meeks coming in, I feel he may have more of an impact with our current players (our current DEs in particular). With that said, I definitely feel good about Johnson stepping up into a starter role and Tyler Brayton getting better after one full year as a DE.

Damn, you're saying we can let our best pass rusher go and not do anything to replace him? Lordy... Brayton, Johnson, Hilee Taylor as our only DEs = :ee: If either of our two starters got hurt you're looking at a 7th round situation player in as an every down starter.

We're thin at DE already. If Peppers leaves we need to use a first day pick on someone to fill that void as well as adding a later round and/or veteran DE.

[panthers55]

Damn, you're saying we can let our best pass rusher go and not do anything to replace him? Lordy... Brayton, Johnson, Hilee Taylor as our only DEs = :ee: If either of our two starters got hurt you're looking at a 7th round situation player in as an every down starter.

We're thin at DE already. If Peppers leaves we need to use a first day pick on someone to fill that void as well as adding a later round and/or veteran DE.

Yep. With Peppers we are okay, without him we either need a pocket collapsing DT who can get us 6-8 sacks or a DE who can do the same maybe both. We need some veteran or draft backups at both DE and DT. Don't forget with Hangartner and Omilaye gone we are thin on the offensive line as well. Definitely the line. After that BPA of the positions noted including CB, QB, HB or whatever is out there.

[Lone Buc Fan]

If Carolina could develop their secondary enough to break plays up consistently then the defensive line wouldn't be as big of a issue as you have solid starting linebackers in place. Seemed like your secondary is great at stopping the YAC, but they still allowed the catch to be made and would keep the chains moving and keep your defense on the field longer.

So either improve the coverage, or improve the pass rush as a whole. One or the other and your defense is top 10.