Carolina Panthers 2010 Draft Grade

CAROLINA

2.48 Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Obviously, getting Clausen this late in a perfect fit scenario was incredible. He’ll push to start early on, but won’t have to before he’s comfortable. He’s the most pro-ready passer in this class, and he’s going to make this offense dangerous soon enough. A passing game to go along with a grueling ground attack would be pretty hard to stop for the defenses in this division. GRADE: A+

3.78 Brandon Lafell, WR, LSU
Lafell was the receiver the Panthers coveted all along. He’s got good size and fits well opposite Steve Smith. He goes up strong for the ball and has good body control. They needed some height in this corps and now they actually have a target for the red zone. If Lafell can cut out the drops, he’ll be a great fit with Clausen. GRADE: B

3.89 Armanti Edwards, ATH, Appalachian State
People will want to knock the Panthers grade because of the Edwards pick, but I love it. Can you imagine a wildcat formation that involved Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Williams, and Edwards behind this line? He’s one of the draft’s hidden gems. Yes, this was too much to give up and too early to get him, but he’s better than most think. GRADE: B

3ROUND GRADE: A

4.124 Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina
Norwood went from overrated to underrated in the span of one draft season, but he found a good landing spot here. He’s got some work to do as far as refining his technique and he has a tendency to get lost, but his pass rushing skills are true. GRADE: B

6.175 Greg Hardy, DE, Ole Miss
It’s obvious the Panthers felt the loss of Julius Peppers was a big one. Hardy is a risk to apathetically laze his way out of the league, and he carries some injury concerns, but when he’s on he’s a first-second day talent. GRADE: B-

6.198 David Gettis, WR, Baylor
Gettis is a very raw receiver. He’s got a long way to go in the route running department, and he hasn’t been a big factor for long. But the skills are there, and his upside makes him a worthy risk in the sixth. GRADE: B

6.202 Jordan Pugh, CB, Texas A&M
I’m not a huge fan of this pick. I understand the need for a corner, and Pugh is athletic and pretty big (5-11 200), but he’s raw, and it’ll take some time to get him on the field for anything more than special teams. GRADE: C-

6.204 Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati
Again, Pike is not a player I like. I think he’s got a thin frame that won’t hold up, and his arm strength doesn’t seem like anything special, not to mention he’s got a history of injuries. Still, hard to overlook his smarts, toughness, accuracy and production at the bottom of the sixth round. GRADE: B-

7.223 RJ Stanford, CB, Utah
Amazing speed at his pro day is what got him drafted. He’s not a bad player, but he hasn’t begun to tap his potential. That could be good or bad. He’s a special teamer right now. GRADE: C

7.249 Robert McClain, CB, UConn
Another super fast corner for the Panthers. They seem to want speed for specials, and look to have really shored up the kickoff team… I guess that’s worth something. GRADE: C+

Best Pick: Jimmy Clausen
Worst Pick: Jordan Pugh
Sleeper Pick: Eric Norwood

FINAL ANALYSIS
The Panthers did some amazing things for a team without a first round pick. They got their quarterback of the future in Jimmy Clausen, a guy that should have gone in the top ten. He’ll make a lot of teams sorry they passed on him. Clausen’s pro-system roots make him a threat to start from day one on a team with a great O line and a powerful running game. Lafell was the receiver they wanted in the second, but they got him in the third. His size was needed. Edwards could be a great weapon as a receiver/wildcat QB, and Hardy was well worth the risk in the sixth.

Screw you, Matt Moore seemed to be the theme of the day. Not only was Tony Pike brought in after Clausen as further proof of the lack of faith, but a lot of weapons were added that Moore won’t get to use. Norwood and Gettis could be a steals if they realize their immense potential, and Pugh, Stanford, and McClain will provide depth in the secondary and the kicking game.

For a team that didn’t have much to work with early on, they made the most of a deep and talented draft. Smart moves on both sides of the ball.

FINAL GRADE: A

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