| Jeff Risdon. 10th May, 2007 - 2:22 pm
 The picks:
1st round, #25 overall--Jon Beason, LB, Miami FL
2nd round, #45--Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
2nd round, #59--Ryan Kalil, C, USC
3rd round, #89--Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia
4th round, #118--Ryne Robinson, WR, Miami OH
5th round, #155--Dante Rosario, TE, Oregon
5th round, #164--Tim Shaw, LB, Penn State
7th round, #226--C.J. Wilson, CB, Baylor
Best pick: Johnson
Worst pick: Kalil
Analysis:
The Panthers got very good value for their picks, making a couple of moves that allowed them to get players at slots much lower than on Carolina’s draft board.
Beason brings intensity and versatility to a thin LB corps, though there are significant questions about his durability and size/speed package.
Jarrett has outstanding size and can only help the Panthers woeful passing attack on 3rd down and in the red zone. He’s essentially replacing Keyshawn Johnson, and a reliable set of hands in a big target across from Steve Smith was a main draft priority. He’s not fast and not quick, but that’s not as big a negative for Carolina as it would be for several other teams.
Robinson provides that missing element of speed and big play ability outside, and he’ll be given every chance to win the slot WR job. He’s a polar opposite of Jarrett: small, not at all physical, shifty, a huge threat after the catch. He’s also the all-time MAC conference leader in punt return average and TDs and will likely have more immediate impact for the Panthers in that role.
Kalil is a master tactician at center, but he’s not a physical player. Considering the Panthers have two capable centers on the roster already, it’s a curious pick, but if he can handle the physicality inside he’s a great value. Very similar to Jeff Faine, a former 1st rounder who has been a consistently above-average center.
Johnson provides much-needed depth and pass-rushing quickness at DE, though he’s very one-dimensional at this point.
Rosario and Wilson are project athletes who don’t really excel at their positions but should help special teams and might pan out into capable backups down the road.
Shaw could be a real steal, though one of the players he reminds me of most is a guy he’ll be fighting for a roster spot, last year’s 3rd rounder James Anderson, who didn’t impress in limited duty. Shaw is one of those players whose floor is pretty high but ceiling pretty low, but the Panthers need quality depth and smart football players like him.
Grade: B
Very good value picks on the first day; filled their primary needs with NFL-ready talents. Second day picks all have needed athleticism, though they bypassed chances to get needed help at safety and tackle. A draft class that could look better, and be more helpful, now than 3 years from now. |
