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2009
NFL Draft Needs - Carolina Panthers
by Gregory Cox
Senior Writer
4/21/09
Picks (5): 59, 93, 128, 163, 202
Defensive Tackle – Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis could use
some help. Both have crossed the age of 30 which is not considered too
old to play the position, but where is their relief? The loss of Kris
Jenkins was definitely felt and his “replacement” Darwin Walker was
inactive for the playoff loss. Getting rolled over by Arizona exposed
their front line as extremely thin when it matters most. Something has
to be done. They gave up 4.4 yards rushing per carry in the regular
season.
Defensive End – Julius Peppers caught the “contract year” bug
and set a career high with 14 ½ sacks one season after
registering a career low 2 ½. Now he wants to get paid and there
is considerable drama surrounding his franchise tag status. If the team
can find a trading partner willing to give up similar compensation to
last year’s Jared Allen deal then Peppers is gone and the priority goes
up. Otherwise the need turns into insurance against running into this
same problem after the 2009 campaign. In Tyler Brayton’s first season
with the team he had almost as many sacks (4 ½) as his five full
seasons in Oakland (6). His value is in showing up for work every day
having missed just two games as a pro. Charles Johnson and Hilee Taylor
represent the youth. Let me summarize this. Without Peppers this pass
rush is sunk. Even with him the Panthers would be wise to select
someone else to groom, preferably a speed edge rusher as if those
really grow on trees.
Offensive Line – Let’s face it everyone is looking for depth on
the offensive line. Any analyst could write this down as a team need
and call it a day. In the case of the Panthers it is a little more than
that. Their line was ravaged in free agency as a trio of backups left
the building in the span of a few days. Worse yet, two of those players
offered invaluable versatility. Jeremy Bridges was cut (off the field
issues) and Geoff Hangartner signed with the Bills. They were both
capable of playing guard or center. It was huge retaining Jordan Gross
at left tackle of course because last year’s rookie Jeff Otah is a
keeper on the other side. Their starting five is fine, but any
significant injury would turn their block of Cheddar cheese into Swiss
in a hurry if you catch my drift. Anywhere in the draft they feel like
an addition fits their system you can expect the Panthers to strike for
depth.
Wide Receiver – The return of Muhsin Muhammad was a great
boost. Amazingly his 2008 stat line reads almost identical to the
production he put up in 1998 which was his breakout third season in the
NFL. He does turn 36 shortly after the draft and years of history
indicate the end will be near. Muhammad is a rare talent in that he can
catch his 60+ passes while contributing his blocking skills to the
running game. In terms of straight receiving production the team is
trying to pump up Dwayne Jarrett. This will be his third season which
is typically when the proverbial light bulb goes on, but with 16
receptions while playing basically half the time in years one and two
it is just talk until proven otherwise. Dante Rosario was third on the
team with 209 yards receiving. Steve Smith has done that in a single
game before. D.J. Hackett was a bust and is out after his first season
with the team. The offensive philosophy is clearly centered on the
running game, but they must take a shot now at another receiving
option.
Cornerback – Ken Lucas will not be around for Steve Smith to
fight with, which can only lead to improved chemistry in practice
right? Anyone can see why the move was made. Richard Marshall is
younger and cheaper. He will move into the starting lineup. C.J. Wilson
is now the primary backup and at this position in a pass-happy NFL it
is really unfair to even use the word “backup” given how much a nickel
corner gets on the field. The Panthers will definitely be sniffing
around for more depth.
Quarterback – I am adding this as a need because I personally
feel it is. The team might disagree. For me it is much more than Jake
Delhomme going color blind in the playoff loss. He has never really
recovered from shoulder surgery for one thing. The running game took
away the need for him to pass much this season. However, he threw just
15 touchdown passes and completed a pedestrian 59.4% of his throws. If
they do not add a quarterback now, he will be 40 when they are
pondering an addition in the 2010 draft. Josh McCown and his career
71.6 quarterback rating as a journeyman provide no comfort if Delhomme
fizzles out. Matt Moore was able to win two of three starts at the end
of the 2007 season, but does not have the look of a franchise player
even on a team heavily invested in the run. If they are able to move
Julius Peppers to increase their chip stack then this position might be
addressed late. If not the Panthers will likely go searching in the
priority free agent market.
Michael
Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 7 rounds
Gregory Cox's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 6 rounds
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