This will be a complete series of 6-year draft reviews and analysis of all 32 teams. I am reviewing the past six years because 2006 was the time I started really following the draft closely. I give each year a grade, but the only grades that are final are for those that are four years old, specifically 2006 and 2007. I believe that four years is the minimum needed to properly grade a draft and that's why those are final grades. Other grades may change with time. So without further ado, let's start the party.
2006
Round 1, Pick 27 – DeAngelo Williams – Memphis – Runningback
Round 2, Pick 58 – Richard Marshall – Fresno State – Cornerback
Round 3, Pick 88 – James Anderson – Virginia Tech – Linebacker
Round 3, Pick 89 – Rashad Butler – Miami (Fl.) – Offensive Tackle
Round 4, Pick 121 – Nate Salley – Ohio State – Safety
Round 5, Pick 155 – Jeff King – Virginia Tech – Tight End
Round 7, Pick 234 – Will Montgomery – Virginia Tech – Offensive Guard
Round 7, Pick 237 – Stanley McClover – Auburn – Defensive End
Overall: DeAngelo Williams came into the NFL being considered too small to be a full starter, but fast enough to be a good change of pace back. He filled that role during the first two years of his career, backing up Dashuan Foster. On the whole he would perform better than Foster in the time he was playing and eventually made Foster expendable. The faith the Panthers had in him was questionable, since they made Jonathan Stewart one of their first round picks in 2008. Williams on the starting job during that training camp and turned in an All-Pro caliber season. He had another great season in 2009, before injuries sidelined him for the better part of the 2010 season. He still has shown himself to be among the best runningbacks in the NFL and a guy who will demand a high price in free agency. Richard Marshall’s career followed a similar path. He was primarily a backup for his first few seasons, but he eventually worked his way into the starting lineup. Marshall was often unspectacular, but solid in his time with the Panthers. He is likely to leave in free agency. James Anderson started his career playing mostly on special teams, getting only occasional spot starts. It looked like his career in Carolina was over after he barely got on the field in 2008. However, after starting strongside linebacker Thomas Davis tore his ACL and missed half of the 2009 season, Anderson was thrust into a starting role and played pretty well. Davis again tore his ACL in 2010, opening the door for Anderson’s breakout year. Anderson started every game and led the team in tackles that year (finishing ninth in the league in that stat). Past Anderson the only player of any note would be tight end Jeff King. King hasn’t been anything special at tight end, but he has been a solid blocker and a decent receiver. However he has been the only other player from this class to contribute. Rashad Butler made no on-field appearances with the Panthers before he was released and picked up by the Texans. Nate Salley played some on special teams, but never distinguished himself before his release in 2008. Will Montgomery made a few brief appearances his rookie year, but was released and picked up by the Jets the following year. He is now with the Redskins. Stanley McClover collected exactly one sack on the team then found his way out of the NFL. All in all this draft was ok to pretty good. The selections of Marshall and Williams were helped the team immensely over the last few years, and Anderson’s breakout year could elevated this to one of their better drafts over the last six years. However only one of their five other picks has at least marginally contributed and that player is better suited to a backup role.
Final Grade: B-
2007
Round 1, Pick 25 – Jon Beason – Miami (Fl.) – Linebacker
Round 2, Pick 45 – Dwayne Jarrett – USC – Wide Receiver
Round 2, Pick 59 – Ryan Kalil – USC – Offensive Center
Round 3, Pick 83 – Charles Johnson – Georgia – Defensive End
Round 4, Pick 118 – Ryne Robinson – Miami (Ohio) – Wide Receiver
Round 5, Pick 155 – Dante Rosario – Oregon – Tight End
Round 5, Pick 164 – Tim Shaw – Penn State – Linebacker
Round 7, Pick 226 – C.J. Wilson – Baylor – Cornerback
Overall: Jon Beason was brought in to help find a strong complement to Dan Morgan in the linebacker corp. He quickly became a starter on the weakside and after about a year he replaced Morgan in the middle. He has started every game in his first four years and has played at a pro bowl level every year. He is the lynch pin of the Panthers defense. The two second round picks yielded two very different results. Dwayne Jarrett has barely been hanging on to a roster spot and never showed enough to be seriously considered for a regular role in the offense. Ryan Kalil on the other hand, developed quickly after an injured plagued rookie season and has quickly become one of the best centers in the NFL. Like Beason, Kalil has become a lynch pin for the offensive line. After being a rotational part of the defensive line for a few years (both to little effect), Charles Johnson broke out in 2010. He recorded 11.5 sacks during his first full year as a starter. Whether or not he’ll be able to continue that pace will greatly affect the grade of this draft. The last four picks were really nothing to write home about. Dante Rosario and CJ Wilson have found roles as sub package players and Roasrio does occasionally flash as a quality receiving tight end, but he has yet to show the consistency that would lock him into the starting role. Ryne Robinson and Tim Shaw contributed on special teams early in their tenure on the Panthers, but both are gone from the team. All in all 2007 was a solid draft, bringing two excellent players and the potential for an excellent player in Johnson, however the miss on Jarrett hurts the overall draft grade.
Final Grade: B+
2008
Round 1, Pick 13 – Jonathan Stewart – Oregon – Runningback
Round 1, Pick 19 – Jeff Otah – Pittsburgh – Offensive Tackle
Round 3, Pick 67 – Charles Godfrey – Iowa – Cornerback/Safety
Round 3, Pick 74 – Dan Connor – Penn State – Linebacker
Round 5, Pick 141 – Gary Barnidge – Louisville – Tight End
Round 6, Pick 181 – Nick Hayden – Wisconsin – Defensive Tackle
Round 7, Pick 221 – Hilee Taylor – North Carolina – Linebacker
Round 7, Pick 241 – Geoff Schwartz – Oregon – Offensive Tackle/Guard
Round 7, Pick 250 – Mackenzy Bernadeau – Bentley (Mass.) – Offensive Guard
Overall: The 2008 draft saw the Panthers searching for the final pieces for a super bowl run. While they started to back-slide following that year, this draft was hardly the cause. Jonathan Stewart was brought in to compete with DeAngelo Williams for the starting job and bring the same kind of power running the Panthers had when Stephen Davis was their starter. While he has yet to become the full time starter, he has still had a huge impact and is one of best runningbacks in the NFL. He is an excellent complement to the speed of DeAngelo Williams and could start for a number of other teams. Though injuries derailed his season last year, Jeff Otah has been an excellent addition to the Panthers offensive line. He is a major road grater that opens up a lot of options in the running game. If he recovers from the knee injury that kept him on the sidelines all last season, he will continue to be a key in the Panthers running game. Charles Godfrey was drafted as a corner, but quickly was transitioned to safety and found his home there. He became the starter at free safety during his rookie season and has been there since, minus a few missed games in 2009 due to injury. He has shown good range and tackling ability in his time as a starter. However he also is inconsistent, missing his assignments and occasionally getting lost in coverage. He did lead the team in interceptions this past season. Dan Connor was a role player on special teams for his first two seasons with the Panthers, but took over the role of starting middle linebacker this past season. He was playing well until he broke his hip and missed the remainder of the season. He should return to the role of a starter this coming season. Gary Barnidge, Hilee Taylor and Nick Hayden have all stayed on the roster, but none have made any kind of an impact. Geoff Schwartz and Mackenzy Bernadeau have found roles as backup offensive lineman, but have also been starters at different points. Schwartz started 16 games this season at right tackle and right guard. Bernadeau started the season starting at right guard, but was benched after a string of bad games. He returned to the starting lineup at left guard towards the end of the year after Travelle Wharton went on injured reserve. Overall this was very good draft. The Panthers left 2008 with regular starters, two offensive lineman that can start, a runningback that has become one of the best runnngbacks in the NFL, though he isn’t starting and three quality backups.
Final Grade: A
2009
Round 2, Pick 43 – Everette Brown – Florida State – Defensive End
Round 2, Pick 59 – Sherrod Martin – Troy – Safety
Round 3, Pick 93 – Corvey Irvin – Georgia – Defensive Tackle
Round 4, Pick 111 – Mike Goodson – Texas A&M – Runningback
Round 4, Pick 128 – Tony Fiammetta – Syracuse – Fullback
Round 5, Pick 163 – Duke Robinson – Oklahoma – Offensive Guard
Round 7, Pick 216 – Captain Munnerlyn – South Carolina – Carolina
Overall: 2009 was the first year since 1999 and only the second time in team history that the Panthers did not have a first round pick. To this point, the results of that draft have been mixed. Top pick Everette Brown is still a work in progress, which might not be so bad given where he was drafted, but taking into account the fact that he was their first pick in this draft, it doesn’t bode well. He was supposed to be a strong complimentary pass rusher across from Julius Peppers and eventually replace Peppers as the primary pass rusher. To this point, he has yet to even secure his starting job. He has contributed, but only in small ways. Sherrod Martin, on the other hand, was able to contribute as a nickel corner, though he was clear not a fit for the position, and eventually found a home as the starting free safety. He has shown the ability to be a good roaming centerfielder, but needs to show more consistency in the level of his play. Corey Irvin has made little to no impact, missing his rookie season due to a torn MCL and only getting into the last game of the season this past year. Mike Goodson has had fumbling problems early on and didn’t transition as well to the role of kick returner as the coaching staff would have hoped. That being said, he has also shown the ability to break off big runs and be a good change of pace speed back. Tony Fiammetta has developed into a solid blocking fullback and should help clear the way for the Panthers’ running game for the next few years. Duke Robinson has yet to see the field. Captain Munnerlyn may have been the biggest acquisition during this draft. He has found a niche as the main nickel corner and was given a few starts toward the end of the year and held his own fairly well. He also has value as a punt returner. He may become a full time starter if the cornerback situation doesn’t change once free agency is going. Overall, while the failure of Everette Brown and Corey Irvin to develop hurts the class somewhat, getting starters in Fiammetta, Martin and potentially Munnerlyn and a sub-package contributor in Goodson makes this a pretty good draft.
Grade: B-
2010
Round 2, Pick 48 – Jimmy Clausen – Notre Dame – Quarterback
Round 3, Pick 78 – Brandon LaFell – LSU – Wide Receiver
Round 3, Pick 89 – Armanti Edwards – Appalachian State – Wide Receiver/Runningback/Quarterback
Round 4, Pick 124 – Eric Norwood – South Carolina – Defensive End/Outside Linebacker
Round 6, Pick 175 – Greg Hardy – Mississippi – Defensive End
Round 6, Pick 198 – David Gettis – Baylor – Wide Receiver
Round 6, Pick 202 – Jordon Pugh – Texas A&M – Cornerback
Round 6, Pick 204 – Tony Pike – Cincinnati – Quarterback
Round 7, Pick 223 – RJ Stanford – Utah – Cornerback
Round 7, Pick 249 – Robert McClain – Connecticut – Cornerback
Overall: Jimmy Clausen’s first season in Carolina was forgettable at best (and notorious at worst). He came out of college as (arguably) the most NFL ready quarterback in the 2010 draft, but never looked like it as he went on. He finished the season with three touchdowns against nine interceptions He never looked comfortable as the leader of an NFL offense and seemed to shy away from throws that weren’t wide open. To be fair to Clausen, he didn’t look so impressive in his first year at Notre Dame either, but he matured as his career went along and that could be the case here. Of the three receivers that the Panthers took in this draft, the last David Gettis, made the most impact and looked like the best player from this draft. He showed excellent speed and the ability to go up and make catches in traffic. With some development, he could be the second receiver the Panthers have been looking for. Brandon LaFell didn’t have as good a season as many would have liked, but he showed quite a bit of potential and developed into a third down escape value. Armanti Edwards spent the majority of the season transitioning from quarterback to wide receiver and made little impact. The case was the same for RJ Stanford, who spent the entire season on the practice squad and Tony Pike, who was in John Fox’s doghouse all season. Eric Norwood, Greg Hardy, Jordan Pugh and Robert McClain all had roles on special teams and in sub packages on defense. Hardy made the most impact, recording 3 sacks in limited playing time. In that time he also showed the athleticism that made him a potential first round pick during his junior season. Norwood had similar talents, but is more of a tweener, limiting his playing time in the 4-3 and subsequently limiting his impact. Pugh played mostly on special teams, but also made plays on defense, being used as a bit of hybrid cornerback/safety. McClain played mostly on special teams and didn’t impress when given opportunities as a nickel and dime corner. Overall, this draft was relatively weak, but has potential. Most of the players in this draft will likely be sub-package players with a few starters sneaking in. This draft will be tied to how well Jimmy Clausen develops and at present, it looks like he won’t be getting a lot of chances to develop.
Final Grade: C-
2011
Rd. 1, Pick 1 – Cam Newton – Auburn – Quarterback
Rd. 3, Pick 65 – Terrell McClain – South Florida – Defensive Tackle
Rd. 3, Pick 97 – Sione Fua – Stanford – Defensive tackle
Rd. 4, Pick 98 – Brandon Hogan – West Virginia – Cornerback
Rd. 5, Pick 132 – Kealoha Pilares – Hawaii – Wide Receiver
Rd. 6, Pick 166 – Lawrence Wright – Connecticut – Linebacker
Rd. 6, Pick 203 – Zack Williams – Washington State – Offensive Guard
Rd. 7, Pick 244 – Lee Ziemba – Auburn – Offensive Tackle
Overall: Well, following this draft I think there is only one question to ask: Who is mostly likely to be Ron Rivera’s replacement? Like many coaches before him, Rivera tied his fate to a young quarterback. Sadly in this case, he has tied his fate to a player who is ten years behind the curve in terms of learning how to play quarterback. In college, he was a great athlete who happened to play the position of quarterback. In the pros he will have to learn to play quarterback at some point and I’m not of the opinion he’ll be able to do that in enough time to be considered a successful pick. He has great physical tools, but neither the experience nor the work ethic to use those tools effectively. At best his athleticism will let him make an impact in his rookie season, but after a year, two at the most, his athleticism (which is not special) will fail to get him by. The Panthers next three picks were much smarter, addressing their defensive needs and helping them build a better team. Terrell McClain and Sione Fua will take pressure off of Charles Johnson and force more plays in the backfield. Fua would fit well as the running stuffing nose tackle and McClain would play as the more penetrating under tackle. Brandon Hogan is coming off of an injury and has off-the-field problems. However, he brings a pretty good set of tools to the table and corner was a need with regular starter Richard Marshall likely leaving via free agency. Kealoha Pilares, Zach Williams and Lee Ziemba add depth to the offense and Pilares could contribute as a fourth receiver. Lawrence Wilson also adds depth. This would have been a pretty good draft, if not for the selection of Newton. With him as the top overall draft pick, this is a horrible draft.
Final Grade: D+
6-Year Overall Grade: B-
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