2nd Round (#48) QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
Key Player(s) Passed On: QB Colt McCoy
Analysis: Clausen unexpectedly fell to the middle of the 2nd round and the Panthers were the big winners. Clausen has his detractors and obviously a bunch of NFL teams passed on him. He had a losing record at Notre Dame and there were questions about his leadership skills and a prima donna attitude. PFDN had Clausen rated as a mid-1st round pick and the 2nd best quarterback in the 2010 NFL Draft. We think the Panthers found their quarterback of the future with a mid-2nd round pick.
He has a good arm and a fine release. Clausen improved every season at Notre Dame by a substantial amount. He may be a bit arrogant, but he played hurt (injured toe) during his junior season and took a beating like a man during his true freshman year. We feel that Clausen’s losing record at Notre Dame (Phil Simms also had a losing record in college) had more to do with the Irish defense (or lack thereof) than his leadership skills. We clearly had Clausen rated much higher than Colt McCoy (who won a ton of games at Texas). Clausen was the no-brainer choice for the Panthers. Carolina only has the inexperienced Matt Moore at quarterback. There is no way the team could assume that Moore is the answer at quarterback.
3rd Round (#78) WR Brandon LaFell, LSU
Key Player(s) Passed On: WR Emmanuel Sanders, WR Jordan Shipley, WR Eric Decker, WR Andre Roberts
Analysis: We soured on LaFell during his senior season, but he was a decent selection by the Panthers. Carolina was looking for a big possession receiver who can block. LaFell is exactly that and he has a chance to contribute early in his career. We preferred Eric Decker to LaFell, but the former LSU standout made sense for the Panthers. Carolina’s offense will continue to revolve around a terrific running game. The team has to have a physical receiver who will block and keep drives alive with 3rd down receptions. Many of the other receivers available at this point were on the small side and primarily best in the slot.
3rd Round (#89) WR/QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State
Key Player(s) Passed On: WR Taylor Price, WR Mardy Gilyard
Analysis: Edwards is a terrific athlete who will be converted from quarterback to a slot receiver. The two-time winner of the Walter Payton Award (best player in Div. I-AA) is quick, accelerates well and is elusive in the open field. Edwards is highly competitive and we would not be surprised if he successfully made the conversion to wide receiver. We also like the fact that Edwards came through for Appalachian State more often than not in critical situations. The transition Edwards faces is not an easy one as the failed body count in recent years (Matt Jones, Isaiah Stanback and Brad Smith) outnumbers the successes (Antwaan Randle El). Edwards has more quickness than Taylor Price. The Panthers gambled by selecting Edwards over the more experienced (at wide receiver)) Mardy Gilyard. Carolina gave up a 2nd round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft to draft Edwards. It was a bold move that just may work out.
4th Round (#124) LB Eric Norwood, South Carolina
Key Player(s) Passed On: DE Ricky Sapp
Analysis: Norwood was an excellent value in the 4th round. He is a good football player who played defensive end and linebacker for the Gamecocks. Norwood plays with power for his size and may be able to be a situational pass rusher at defensive end for the Panthers. He will need time to learn the linebacker position in the NFL (especially coverage responsibilities). However, Norwood is too good a player not to contribute on special teams and as a situational player. He has an instinctive feel for the pass rush and should be effective on the blitz. We evaluated Norwood to be the stouter and more dedicated player compared to Ricky Sapp.
6th Round (#175) DE Greg Hardy, Mississippi
Key Player (s) Passed On: TE Nate Byham
Analysis: The Panthers recorded only 31 sacks last season and that was with the departed Julius Peppers. Hardy was worth the risk in the 6th round. He can rush the quarterback, but always seems to be injured or disinterested. If Hardy can avoid injury and play with better focus then he could be a bargain. Byham was the draft’s best blocking tight end, but Carolina did not have a pressing need here. They were better off taking a low-risk chance on a pass rusher.
6th Round (#198) WR David Gettis, Baylor
Key Player(s) Passed On: TE/WR Dorin Dickerson
Analysis: Gettis has size and speed, but he really is a track athlete and not a quality wide receiver. He had marginal production at Baylor. He does not catch the ball well, run crisp routes or have an intuitive feel for playing wide receiver. We seriously doubt that he develops these traits at the highest level of football. Gettis can return kickoffs. Carolina has been searching for someone other than Steve Smith to make plays in the passing game for years. We agree that they should not be content with having added LaFell and Edwards. PFDN thought Dorin Dickerson made sense here. Dickerson can catch the football and has speed. He looks to be more of an H-back (his college position) than a wide receiver. However, he has enough speed to play wide receiver. We thought Dickerson was the better football player compared to Gettis.
6th Round (#202) S Jordan Pugh, Texas A&M
Key Player(s) Passed On: S Myron Rolle
Analysis: Pugh started at safety and cornerback at Texas A&M. He went in the 6th round of the draft because he has average instincts and no one was sure where he fits (CB or S) in a secondary. Pugh has the athletic ability (5’ 11” and 192 lbs, 4.44 Forty) to play in the NFL. He is undersized for a safety, but he is not shy about tackling. The Panthers will likely try him at safety and see how well he learns the defense. Pugh was a solid draft pick and has a chance to be a reserve and help on special teams. Rolle is an exceptional young man, but we can see him getting bored with football after playing special teams for a couple of years. He has a lot of options in life that many players do not have. Rolle could be in medical school in the not too distant future.
6th Round (#204) QB Tony Pike, Cincinnati
Key Player(s) Passed On: OT/G Kyle Calloway
Analysis: Pike represented value in the 6th round. He has an NFL arm and size. PFDN evaluated Pike to be a backup quarterback in the NFL, but he could be a decent one. Carolina has the luxury to let Pike sit, gain some quality weight and learn an NFL system. The Panthers may have an attractive trade option with Pike in a couple of seasons. Quarterbacks are so valuable in the NFL that there are always teams willing to gamble on a young talent. Kyle Calloway could have provided more depth on the Panthers’ offensive line. However, he does not have Pike’s potential in terms of being a tradable commodity.
7th Round (#223) CB R.J. Stanford, Utah
Key Player(s) Passed On: S Barry Church
Analysis: Stanford started only during the 2009 season at Utah. He had modest production and is a small (5’ 10 ½” and 182 lbs) cornerback. Stanford ran a 4.45 Forty at Utah’s pro day and that helped him get drafted. We felt there were better options available, such as, Barry Church. The former Toledo standout started for 4 years and has a chance to contribute on special teams. Church is bigger, stronger and more physical and productive than Stanford.
7th Round (#249) CB Robert McClain, Connecticut
Key Player(s) Passed On: WR Freddie Barnes
Analysis: McClain had a good senior year and may be a late bloomer. He started only one season, but he held up well in man coverage. McClain can return punts and has above average speed. His lack of starting experience and height (5’ 9”) cost him in the draft. He was a decent selection. Freddie Barnes lacks speed, but can really catch the football. He has a chance of being a possession receiver in the NFL. The Panthers have been hurting at wide receiver for so long that adding another target would not have been a bad idea.
Bottom Line: Sometimes it pays to be more lucky than good. The Panthers were a little of both in this draft. Jimmy Clausen dropping to the middle of the 2nd round was a big surprise. Carolina tried to trade up to select him toward the top of the 2nd round, but could not swing a deal. He fell right into their laps with the 48th selection overall. Clausen finds himself in a good situation and can be the long-term starter in Carolina. They also found some receiver help in the 3rd round. Carolina’s passing attack will improve when these young players gain experience. The Panthers’ best pick on the 3rd day was probably Eric Norwood. Carolina did not find a run-stuffing defensive tackle, but found some important pieces to their future passing attack.
Draft Grade: B+
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