The Second Round: Did Hurney take the Jinx with him?

[MHS831]

The second round is where we have struggled in the past. I am not 100% sure Silatolu, a pick most of us thought was rather safe, is not a bust. Although I think he will be fine if he continues to improve, he is not there yet. What is it about the second round? We drafted Kalil in the second round, but we also drafted Dwayne Jarrett in the second round that year. Other recent second rounders include Jimmy Clausen, Everette Brown, Keary Colbert, Bruce Nelson, and Sherrod Martin.

Having said that, lets look at what might be available and comments on each player:

GUARD: We have no depth and our only real starter was so raw, we still do not know what we have. A few of these sights like PFF rated SIlatolu in the bottom five. I expect us to look for a G in free agency and possibly the draft again.

• Larry Warford, Kentucky. He is perhaps the best guard in the draft behind Warmack. He stonewalled some of the best DTs in the SEC and opened lanes for KY RBs all year. Underrated for now, but he could be there in the second round and would be a better pick than Silatolu. Warford is a perfect RG.
  
• Jonathan Cooper, UNC. Cooper is a bit overrated because some scouts have him ranked in the top 20 players. Guards tend to drop. Last year, DeCastro went around 20 or so, and he was projected much earlier. I see Cooper as a better LG, but I also saw Silatolu as a better RG--maybe a switch could be in order.
  

DEFENSIVE TACKLE: I have watched Akeem Spence and Kawann Short clips and am not impressed with what I have seen. In the first round, I expect to see Star, Hankins, Jesse Williams, and Jenkins taken. Usually, about three or four DTs go in the first. Floyd could join them in the first round, but if he drops, take him (assuming we do not draft DT in the first). I also like Jordan Hill from Penn State, but second is too early for him.

• Sharrif Floyd, Florida. Floyd should have stayed in school for his senior season. He has first round talent but lacks the resume. He could contribute immediately.\
  
• Sheldon Richardson, Missouri. Was a beast at times, but has some character/attitude concerns. Has a high, non-stop motor. Greg Hardyish. Needs a strong coach to keep him straight. I would not draft him if RR is still the coach.
  

SAFETY: When the new gm takes over, he will not bring the bias Marty used to evaluate and pay the players he drafted. When he watches tape on Godfrey, I am guessing we could be looking for 2 safeties for next season. Fortunately, the draft is deeper at S than at any other position. While the first round may not see a safety taken, the second round could be full of them.

• T.J.McDonald, Southern California: I like Safeties that are smart and instinctive. Martin was neither. McDonald has nice size and is a good cover guy/tackler.
  
• Robert Lester, Alabama: I was never a fan of Lester before--always considered him overrated and a product of being surrrounded by great players. However, he can play both FS and SS at a high level.
  
• Kenny Vacarro, Texas. A pure SS who can play the pass and run.
  
• Matt Elam, Florida. Could be better than Vacarro, but is only 5' 10". Can he cover the 6-5 Vincent Jackson deep?
  

CORNERBACK: I am not a fan of the CBs in this draft, but about 20 teams have CB as a top 3 need. While I think improved DT and S play will make our CBs better, Gamble could become a cap casualty when the new GM settles in. However, I think Norman is developing (what did everyone expect from a fifth round, small schooler who is forced to start as a rookie?), Thomas is our best CB, Munnerlyn is good at nickel, and even Dockery held his own down the stretch. (We will see them tested vs. Brees).

• Jordan Poyer, Oregon State. He has seven picks and is a good all around tackler.
  
• David Amerson, NC State. Once considered the #1 CB in the draft, he was made to look stupid vs. Tennessee and Miami. I do not think he is very bright, but he is the total package athletically.
  
• Logan Ryan, Rutgers. This is my favorite CB in the this draft, and he is going to be sitting there when we pick in the second round. If he stays for his senior year, he could be the #1 CB taken in 2014.
  

OFFENSIVE LEFT TACKLE: Many Panther fans think we are OK at LT-we have other needs. You are right, to a degree. However, assume that you are the new GM. Gross did not have a good year (probably due to Silatolu as much as anything) and he is 33. Speed rushers are getting faster. Sooner or later, we are going to need a LT. Most of Gross's 2013 salary is not guaranteed, meaning we can create cap room by trading or cutting him. Draft a LT, use the saved salary to sign 2 other players. While I think that we do nothing unless we draft a first round LT, there are a few "projects" I would consider in the second round, should the GM decide to let Gross play one more year. Both could beat out Bell at RT as they wait for LT to open.

• Lane Johnson, Oklahoma (6'6", 303). I think he is a diamond in the rough. While I expect Joeckel, Lewan, Matthews, and Fisher to be drafted in the first round, Johnson is developing and learning OT. He was a high school QB, college TE, and now a T. That means to me that he should have a knowledge of the game and good feet.
  
• Kyle Long, Oregon. (6'7", 312). Howie's son. He too is developing as a LT from defensive line, and he has applied for another year of eligibility. If denied, a good project with good blood lines.
  

WIDE RECEIVER: While I do not think we need a WR who cannot take over as the #1 WR and I do not like the WRs in this year's draft, I will post a few names with the potential to become top NFL players. Frankly, I see nothing beyond Allen with that skill set.

• Terrance Williams, Baylor. Williams is the second best WR and will probably be gone by the mid second round, but if he is not, he would be worth a second round selection.
  
• Robert Woods, Southern California. After Keary Colbert, Dwayne Jarrett, and even Keyshawn, would we pull the strings on another Trojan WR?
  
• Justin Hunter, Tennessee. Hunter has the size (6'4") and had to share the rock with a talented WR corps at Tennessee. Maybe he has the mettle to rise to a #1. He would be my pick if there in the second round.
  

[Captain Morgan]

Richardson is moving up draft charts and could be the second DT taken after Star.

[carolina-chuck]

Richardson will not be in the 2nd.

If Matt Elam or Justin Hunter falls into the 2nd, we better be all over one of them.

[DaCityKats]

il like to add Cordarrelle Patterson to your WR section. this guy is raw considering he has only played 1 year of major college ball but he played well in the SEC.this team needs another WR who can get vertically up field and make plays. DaRick Rogers is also a talented guy who has 1st round talent but off field issues will make him slide.the WR class is decent, with no Juilo or AJ the 2 Vol WRs look like a poor man version of the 2.

Lane Johnson is someone that intrigues me. like you said he has played QB,TE and RT/LT. he would play next year and on either side of the OL.

Sheldon Richardson will be a top 20 pick. DTs with motors go early, but Shariff is decent prospect as well. he has played LDE but is much better at 3 tech.

not a fan of TJ McDonald or Robert Lester, just appears to not have the hips to man the FS spot. Tony Jefferson and Elam are better prospects in my eyes and although they maybe smaller guys. their play is a lot larger like Earl Thomas.

if Xavier Rhodes falls to the 2nd than he would also be a guy that we should look at.

not a fan of OG in the 2nd unless Warmack falls, just fill that that spot can be upgraded later in rounds or through FA.

[DynastyRTR]

Sheldon Richardson will be the first defensive tackle drafted. He'll go top five. Possibly 2nd to J'ville.

[MHS831]

Richardson will not be in the 2nd.

If Matt Elam or Justin Hunter falls into the 2nd, we better be all over one of them.

I have seen Richardson in the first too. However, I have seen him lower (44). I agree that S needs to be addressed. In every category, I included a first round projection that could fall. I would love to see Reid fall.

Richardson has issues that could be exposed and could cause teams to go with safer picks (Janoris Jenkins was the best CB in the draft last year, and he went in the second-not that RIchardson's issues are as severe, but his talent is not as high either).

[MHS831]

il like to add Cordarrelle Patterson to your WR section. this guy is raw considering he has only played 1 year of major college ball but he played well in the SEC.this team needs another WR who can get vertically up field and make plays. DaRick Rogers is also a talented guy who has 1st round talent but off field issues will make him slide.the WR class is decent, with no Juilo or AJ the 2 Vol WRs look like a poor man version of the 2.

Lane Johnson is someone that intrigues me. like you said he has played QB,TE and RT/LT. he would play next year and on either side of the OL.

Sheldon Richardson will be a top 20 pick. DTs with motors go early, but Shariff is decent prospect as well. he has played LDE but is much better at 3 tech.

not a fan of TJ McDonald or Robert Lester, just appears to not have the hips to man the FS spot. Tony Jefferson and Elam are better prospects in my eyes and although they maybe smaller guys. their play is a lot larger like Earl Thomas.

if Xavier Rhodes falls to the 2nd than he would also be a guy that we should look at.

not a fan of OG in the 2nd unless Warmack falls, just fill that that spot can be upgraded later in rounds or through FA.

Nice call on Xavier Rhodes. He could fall. I really do not like the safety selections either---heck, I would probably take Bishop (State) later over those two. I just figured I was biased, so I included them. Lester at SS maybe.

I also missed Jefferson. I like him a lot--he fell through the cracks.

[MHS831]

Sheldon Richardson will be the first defensive tackle drafted. He'll go top five. Possibly 2nd to J'ville.

Wow. I missed that. I apparently have not been reading the same stuff you have, but I have an open mind. What I read talked about his character issues, wondering if he would disappear after getting a check. On the other hand, the clips I view show a high motor, relentless player who has a chip on his shoulder.

Apparently I misjudged him by reading too much into the character stuff. It is an issue, however, but maybe not as big as it was before the rookie scale.

[carolina-chuck]

Sheldon Richardson will be the first defensive tackle drafted. He'll go top five. Possibly 2nd to J'ville.

Star say hello

[Crixtala]

il like to add Cordarrelle Patterson to your WR section. this guy is raw considering he has only played 1 year of major college ball but he played well in the SEC.this team needs another WR who can get vertically up field and make plays. DaRick Rogers is also a talented guy who has 1st round talent but off field issues will make him slide.the WR class is decent, with no Juilo or AJ the 2 Vol WRs look like a poor man version of the 2.

Lane Johnson is someone that intrigues me. like you said he has played QB,TE and RT/LT. he would play next year and on either side of the OL.

Sheldon Richardson will be a top 20 pick. DTs with motors go early, but Shariff is decent prospect as well. he has played LDE but is much better at 3 tech.

not a fan of TJ McDonald or Robert Lester, just appears to not have the hips to man the FS spot. Tony Jefferson and Elam are better prospects in my eyes and although they maybe smaller guys. their play is a lot larger like Earl Thomas.

if Xavier Rhodes falls to the 2nd than he would also be a guy that we should look at.

not a fan of OG in the 2nd unless Warmack falls, just fill that that spot can be upgraded later in rounds or through FA.

i like him better than justin hunter

[DaCityKats]

i like him better than justin hunter

me too.i think if Justin becomes healtier that he could also be a #1 WR, but CP is great with the ball in his hands. UT lined him up everywhere just so he could touch the ball, dude also had 3 rushing TDs and 2 special teams TDs.

[DaCityKats]

Wow. I missed that. I apparently have not been reading the same stuff you have, but I have an open mind. What I read talked about his character issues, wondering if he would disappear after getting a check. On the other hand, the clips I view show a high motor, relentless player who has a chip on his shoulder.

Apparently I misjudged him by reading too much into the character stuff. It is an issue, however, but maybe not as big as it was before the rookie scale.

the guy is talented.checkout the game cut up of him vs Bama. he gave them hell all game even when they where getting blown out in the 4th.ended up with something like 10 tackles and a sack.plus he was the 2nd leading tackler this past year, i think.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Xavier Rhodes or either of the two top TEs if they are there would work. Also I wouldn't mind trading down for a late 2nd and 3rd.

[DynastyRTR]

Star will bust in the NFL. Flashes in maybe 7-10 snaps per game similar to how Fairley did at Auburn, except Fairley did it almost every play.