It Is Going To Be Fletcher Cox.......

[JawnyBlaze]

Its a "reach" because Kuechly is a better more NFL ready than Cox.

If there was a punter in this draft who was more NFL ready than Kuechly, should we take him instead?

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

If there was a punter in this draft who was more NFL ready than Kuechly, should we take him instead?

Well....lol

[koolkatluke]

It's fun and all to read off a bunch of names and try to create a pattern but its false logic. Luke Kuechly has nothing to do with AJ Hawk, Aaron Curry, or Patrick Willis for that matter. He is a unique person and you evaluate him as such. By your false logic we shouldn't have drafted Cam no.1 because Mike Vick went to jail. Or because Jamarcus liked that purple drank. Throw in a white guy, you don't draft Cam because of David Carr. They have nothing to do with one another.

He's talking about Position value. A ILB while it might be a need doesn't hold weight to DT in a 4-3. If you have a option at both position and they grade out the same you go DT.

[KendrickPanther]

Yeah I got the position value part of the argument but then going into detail about who was a "bust" is a separate issue.

[jarhead]

I like Cox but not sure if that is the position we will take.We still have Ron Edwards at NT.I think Rivera will take the player and position that will improve our pass rush.How effective would he be number 3 under tackle?

[AceMan]

I would definitely take Cox over the other DTs...and over Kuechley! Kuechley will do NOTHING to help with our pass rush

[NCstoner420]

I still don't understand why Cox is a reach.

Why? He is a project 34 DE who will take a few years to gain the grasp of playing DT in a 43. With the 9th pick you want a guy who can come in and contribute day one, we do not have the luxury to let a player picked that high sit around and learn.

[Snake]

If we drafted McClain or Mayo with a top 10 pick, even knowing for certain in advance they'd be the players they are now, it would be poor value. The standard for a top 10 pick shouldn't be "would they start on this team". If that were the case, we could spend our #9 on any of the first 20 CBs in this draft it would apparently be a good value. In my opinion a top 10 pick should be on the best player at an impact position of need if possible. There are a few of those who could likely be available when we pick. If the first 8 picks were Kalil, Claiborne, Brockers, Poe, Cox, Coples, Blackmon and Floyd and there's absolutely no best player at an impact position of need then I suppose I'd settle for Kuechly. But each of those positions (with the only possible arguable one being WR) is MUCH higher impact than 4-3 LB. Even if all of them except Kalil, Claiborne, Blackmon and Coples aren't technically as good at their position as Kuechly is (which I'd concede is the case) they still player a higher impact position. Kuechly isn't some once in a generation LB, he's just the best in this year's draft, which is relatively weak for 4-3 LB. The only other one that's even been considered in the 1st was Zach Brown and these days it's looking like he could be available with our 2nd round pick. I'd MUCH rather have Brown in the 2nd than Kuechly at #9. It's just not an impact position, same reason you don't draft RB or G or S or P or K or LS in the top 10 usually. Richardson is a borderline generational RB, so he's getting consideration. Decastro is borderline generational G, so he's getting consideration. Kuechly isn't as good a LB as those two are at their positions.

I'm sure he'll be a wonderful LB and would start for us Day 1, but our team would be better picking a higher impact position. Same reason we picked Cam last year instead of AJ Green. AJ Green was considered to be a better WR prospect than Cam was at QB, but QB is a more impactful position. We just got lucky that Cam actually turned into a better QB than any of the other guys who were considered at the time to be better prospects at their positions than Cam was.

It's fairly common knowledge that some positions carry more of a premium than others, especially when talking about draft position. 4-3 LB (whether you consider him a backup MLB for us or an OLB) simply is not a good enough value at #9.

Stop trying to argue with reason. Stupidity will always win.

[calipanther]

Has cox been in for a visit? I'm not sure if recall seeing his name or not b

[La Pantera]

Yes Cox has had a visit.

[Ruff]

The whole reach thing makes no sense to me. If we need a DT or a LB, and he's there at #9, and won't be there at #40, then how is it a reach to get him?

Sure, if we get a guy who is ranked, like, 17th at his position, and we draft him at #9, that would be a reach. But, that's not the situation. At #9, we have a logjam of players of who all are ready to step in and play in the NFL almost immediately, whether it be Coples, Cox, or Kuechly.

Either of those three players are definitely ready to contribute on an NFL team, and each one would offer something that this team desperately needs. That means that neither of those three guys would be a reach. Now, if we drafted, I don't know, Terrell Manning with the #9 pick, then yes, that would be an absolute reach. But, we're not. We're drafting from a collection of highly touted players.

[Pantherman]

Physically, he is young (22 yrs old in Dec.), has a frame to build on (6'4) and lean (300 pounds). When he matures, he will be a solid 320 lbs and not miss a beat in quickness.

Unlike Poe, Brockers, and Coples, he had 3 years of experience in the SEC. Also, he played all across the defensive line (DE, UT, NT) and his MOTOR does not quit!!!

I can see him between Johnson and Edwards for 1-on-1 matchups, next to Mcclain for pass rushing plays, and on DE for 34 defensive schemes.

Check him out against the national champs!!!

After looking at some of the film. My opinion is I just don't feel like Cox is good enough to be draft at 9. In that video is looks like Cox even struggles to get to the QB and he gets pushed aside half time when it comes to run plays. I ain't questioning his motor or anything. But to me it feels like he struggles some on the run and pass rush. That is just my opinion on him. My opinion is the panthers need to take either Blackmon or Claiborne if either are there at 9 or trade down some and pick up a few extra picks along the way.

[Ruff]

A tidbit on Cox:

Pass rush: Good quickness off the snap. Attacks gaps, getting skinny to slip past interior linemen when lining up as a defensive tackle. Enough speed to challenge the shoulders of strong-side tackles when lining up as a defensive end. Does not possess the explosiveness and flexibility to turn the corner efficiently, however, limiting his pass rush potential on the outside. Developing pass rush technique, including a swim move, but does not use this often enough. Relies almost exclusively on his bull rush. Generates an explosive pop to knock his opponent back onto his heels. Possesses the lateral agility to take advantage of the unbalanced offensive lineman to run around him and collapse the pocket.

Run defense: Good size and power, though Cox struggles with leverage, at times. Can be blown off the ball when double-teamed as he currently lacks prototypical width and thickness in his lower body for an interior defender. Cox does appear to have the frame to add an additional 10-15 pounds. Good upper-body strength and quick hands to disengage from the one-on-one block. Penetrates gaps and locates the football quickly. Slides off of blocks to latch onto ballcarriers as they attempt to run by. Alert defender who recognizes the trap block and possesses enough quickness to beat his opponent to the spot. Lacks the sustained speed to chase down ballcarriers, but puts good effort into his lateral pursuit.

Explosion: Varies his burst off the snap, but does not possess true explosiveness in his get-off. Among his best assets, however, is his strong upper body. Attacks blockers with an explosive pop, which allows him to disengage quickly.

Strength: Naturally strong man who is still learning to use his power to his advantage. Good to very good upper-body strength and leg drive to push his opponent deep into the pocket. Good strength as a drag-down tackler, as well. Does negate his own strength, on occasion, due to a high pad level.

Tackling: High effort player who locates the football and pursues laterally and downfield. An effective drag-down tackler due to his upper-body strength. Surprisingly light on his feet showing an ability to adjust to elusive ballcarriers in close quarters. Closes quickly and wraps up well, but isn't an explosive hitter likely to knock the ball free. Has forced just two fumbles in three seasons of action.

Intangibles: Naturally large man with plenty of room for additional growth. Appears to be just scratching the surface of his physical potential, though he has three years of starting experience in the SEC. Blocked four kicks from 2009-11. Was suspended for the 2011 season-opener (Memphis), along with four other Bulldogs, for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

- http://www.cbssports...r-cox]CBSSports Prospect Rankings

[davos]

Why are we putting Cox against Kuechly in here? They are two guys at the top of their respective positions in the draft. If our staff feels one is their guy, he will be here and make an impact. Its April 4th and people are trying to judge if a guy will step in and be an effective starter on day 1? Give me a break.

I'd be thrilled if we get Claiborne, Kuechly, or Cox...even Ingram

I trust this coaching staff to make whoever they draft into a stud. They did it with Cam and Ron is ready to build a defense for McD. Let's trust them and not convince ourselves of how good or ready a guy will be. I personally want Fletch over the rest.

Also, it makes no sense to go DT after round 1 this year given we already have McClain, Fua, and possibly Kearse. Edwards & Fua are NTs and we need to get a guy who can be there with McClain and whoever behind. So either with a DT go Cox, Worthy or don't pick one at all in this draft imho.