Spring Break
Panthers Leave NFL Draft As Winners
NFL Draft
Mike Mauro
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Sports
Mike Mauro will break down the draft grades for teams in the East, North, South and West divisions each day this week. Today he focuses on the South divisions, while Thursday will feature the West.
NFC SOUTH
Carolina Panthers - B-plus
Carolina surprised some people by taking Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart with the No. 13 pick when they already have another former first-round pick, DeAngelo Williams, at the same position. However, teams need two good backs these days and Stewart has a chance to be the best overall pro running back in this class. His power running and breakaway speed make him special. The Panthers traded back into round one to take Pittsburgh offensive tackle Jeff Otah, who is enormous. However, they gave up a first-round pick next year and Otah isn't quite worth that much despite being a very good player. With their two third-round picks they got players with first-round value. Iowa's Charles Godfrey is a versatile defensive back who always seems to be around the ball. At that point in the process he was a big steal. Surprisingly, Penn State linebacker Dan Connor slid all the way to the third round. The Panthers are lucky to have picked him up because with Dan Morgan moving on, Connor has the experience and football knowledge to step in right away and make an impact. Also, drafting Lousiville tight end Gary Barnidge in the fifth round was intriguing because while he is not flashy, Barnidge has great receiving skills and can become a threat in the passing game.
Atlanta Falcons - B
Atlanta had a tough decision to make between Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan and LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey. In the end, they made the best choice for the franchise. Ryan brings a new face to the team and puts the Michael Vick era in the rearview mirror. Ryan has the potential to be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL with his poise and intelligence. The Falcons traded back into the first round to take USC left tackle Sam Baker. This was one of the biggest reaches of the draft. Baker was viewed as a potential franchise tackle at one time but he doesn't have the explosiveness in the run game and his pass blocking skills are not elite. It will be interesting to see how he works out because if he turns out to be great, the Falcons have set themselves up at two of the most important positions for the next 12 years. Their second-round pick, linebacker Curtis Lofton from Oklahoma, could turn out to be a real steal. He flies around the field and is an impact player on defense and special teams. With three picks in the third, Atlanta added three solid players in LSU cornerback Chevis Jackson, Louisville receiver Harry Douglas and California safety Thomas DeCoud. None of them will wow you with their workout numbers, but each is a very good football player who will help the Falcons get better fast.
NFC SOUTH
Carolina Panthers - B-plus
Carolina surprised some people by taking Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart with the No. 13 pick when they already have another former first-round pick, DeAngelo Williams, at the same position. However, teams need two good backs these days and Stewart has a chance to be the best overall pro running back in this class. His power running and breakaway speed make him special. The Panthers traded back into round one to take Pittsburgh offensive tackle Jeff Otah, who is enormous. However, they gave up a first-round pick next year and Otah isn't quite worth that much despite being a very good player. With their two third-round picks they got players with first-round value. Iowa's Charles Godfrey is a versatile defensive back who always seems to be around the ball. At that point in the process he was a big steal. Surprisingly, Penn State linebacker Dan Connor slid all the way to the third round. The Panthers are lucky to have picked him up because with Dan Morgan moving on, Connor has the experience and football knowledge to step in right away and make an impact. Also, drafting Lousiville tight end Gary Barnidge in the fifth round was intriguing because while he is not flashy, Barnidge has great receiving skills and can become a threat in the passing game.
Atlanta Falcons - B
Atlanta had a tough decision to make between Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan and LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey. In the end, they made the best choice for the franchise. Ryan brings a new face to the team and puts the Michael Vick era in the rearview mirror. Ryan has the potential to be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL with his poise and intelligence. The Falcons traded back into the first round to take USC left tackle Sam Baker. This was one of the biggest reaches of the draft. Baker was viewed as a potential franchise tackle at one time but he doesn't have the explosiveness in the run game and his pass blocking skills are not elite. It will be interesting to see how he works out because if he turns out to be great, the Falcons have set themselves up at two of the most important positions for the next 12 years. Their second-round pick, linebacker Curtis Lofton from Oklahoma, could turn out to be a real steal. He flies around the field and is an impact player on defense and special teams. With three picks in the third, Atlanta added three solid players in LSU cornerback Chevis Jackson, Louisville receiver Harry Douglas and California safety Thomas DeCoud. None of them will wow you with their workout numbers, but each is a very good football player who will help the Falcons get better fast.
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