Rookie Review: Star Lotulelei - ESPN

[Jackofalltrades]

Star was, at once, mentioned as a possible 1st overall pick.

 

Nuff said.

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

The drafting of Star was one of those truly strange situations where everyone on the huddle was in complete agreement as to the pick.

 

Similarly, the drafting of Kugbila had a similar yet opposite unified huddle reaction (with minor exception). 

 

It amazes me how, as a fan-base, we can be relatively well informed and succinct. 

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

I was a huge Austin fan but assumed Star was gone by our pick....it waa reversed in the draft oddly.

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[PantherGuy]

I still can't believe people here wanted Austin or Patterson with the 14th pick. 

 

I kind of wanted Austin, but now I'm glad we didn't take him. Patterson I think could have worked out. He's doing well in Minnesota. But all the same, it's hard not to be satisfied with Star.

 

[ctrcat]

Patterson had the kickoff return TD against the Bears that made highlights, but has been mildly disappointing as a WR so far.

[Jackofalltrades]

I wanted Austin if Star wasn't there.

 

I would have taken Eifert at 14 if neither was there. I just know I didn't like the other DT's who were projected there and I don't believe in drafting interior OL's that high, especially OG's.

 

 

[dksmith17]

Patterson had the kickoff return TD against the Bears that made highlights, but has been mildly disappointing as a WR so far.

I think he has 5 catches 73 yards on just 31 snaps. Also has a KO return.

 

Being brought along slowly but nothing disappointing.

[Krucid]

I was hoping for Star of course but wanted Richardson if Star was gone. I didn't like any of the receivers this year, not in the first at least. Star in just afew weeks is already playing amazing. Imagine later in the year and years to come.

[teeray]

Most of the people who wanted Austin or Patterson were under the assumption that Star would be off the board

[NCstoner420]

Most of the people who wanted Austin or Patterson were under the assumption that Star would be off the board

Austin and Patterson were not even the best receivers in the draft and that was my problem with picking them at 14. 

 

I kind of wanted Austin, but now I'm glad we didn't take him. Patterson I think could have worked out. He's doing well in Minnesota. But all the same, it's hard not to be satisfied with Star.

 

I kept saying they were mainly just kick returners and not worth picking that high in the draft. Austin can't seem to find any yards after the catch because his speed was over rated due to the lack of talent he played against and Patterson was mainly a kick returner, which he has showed so far, that they wanted to turn into a receiver expect he can't catch the ball. 

[Kuech the Sneak]

I don't know how people could have been disappointed with th star pick when it happened. I've never been so happy over a draft pick right when it happened

[Jackofalltrades]

According to you, Austin was very highly rated and few were surprised he went as high as he did.

 

Austin and Patterson were not even the best receivers in the draft and that was my problem with picking them at 14. 

 

 

[mav1234]

I never imagined Star falling so far, so yeah, I did want a WR.

[Estrada]

Ezekiel Ansah, Star Lotulelei making big impacts early in their NFL careers

 

 

Through three games, all of which he started at right defensive tackle, Lotulelei has nine tackles, including seven solo, in addition to his sack. The tackle total is second-best among the Panthers' defensive linemen.

Nearly half of his tackles, four, came in the Panthers' season opener against Seattle on Sept. 8. That day, Carolina held the Seahawks, viewed by many as a favorite to make the Super Bowl, to 70 rushing yards and a 2.7 yards-per-carry average.

His influence on the Panthers' defense is already impressing his more experienced teammates.

“He’s not a star,” Carolina defensive end Greg Hardy told the Observer. “He’s a superstar. And this superstar is a beast. I see some crazy things for his future. When and if he does keep developing, he’s going to be unstoppable.”

The Panthers are currently 10th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game, giving up 93.0 yards per contest on the game, and sacking Giants quarterback Eli Manning seven times on Sunday.

In assessing Lotulelei's early season efforts, ESPN's Kevin Weidl said, "The Panthers have received a strong early return for Lotulelei. He … has made his presence felt on the interior. Lotulelei has been stout defending the run and has created disruption in the backfield while also showing impressive range."

With an emphasis on stuffing the run from his tackle position, Lotulelei has helped clog the middle and freed others like Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly to make plays all across the field. Kuechly, considered a top-flight inside linebacker, leads the team in tackles with 29.

“I’ve been happy,” Lotulelei told the Observer, “but I definitely feel like there’s a lot of room to improve. If I can clean a few things up, I’m going to make a lot more plays.”

 

How he fell to 14, I'll never know; but we are the benefactors for years to come.