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Panthers future on the line?
Tackles in draft make prospect intriguing
STAN OLSON
solson@charlotteobserver.com
Common knowledge these days contends that the Carolina Panthers will draft an offensive tackle with their first pick (13th overall), solidifying a sturdy and powerful offensive line.
That knowledge might not extend to the Panthers' war room.
Carolina obviously has several needs, a fact confirmed by general manager Marty Hurney at the team's draft news conference Monday. Given that, don't expect the team to reach down to retrieve a tackle who should have been taken with a much later pick.
In other words, Boston College's Gosder Cherilus won't be a first-round Panther, at least not at No. 13.
Still, while Carolina needs a defensive end and a running back just as badly if not more so, there are several tackles out there who will be intriguing should they be available.
One that won't, of course, is Michigan monster Jake Long. Miami made him the draft's first pick on Tuesday.
But what about Boise State's Ryan Clady, Pitt's Jeff Otah and Vanderbilt's Chris Williams?
Most observers believe Clady, a 6-foot-6, 309-pound mauler, would be the best value. In a number of media mock drafts, he gets chosen in the top 10, but some scenarios have him available when Carolina picks. He'd be the toughest to turn down.
Playing for Boise hasn't seen him facing the best competition, but his frame allows him to add more muscle, and he comes equipped with good quickness and was timed at a respectable 5.2 seconds in the 40-yard-dash at the NFL combine in February.
Clady, who came out after his junior year, is believed to have the most potential of this bunch.
Next in line would likely be Otah, another powerhouse at 6-6 and 322 pounds. He was hurt by a 5.56 combine 40, but redeemed himself with a 5.28 on his pro day. Most observers project him as a right tackle, which would prompt a move back to the left side by Carolina's Jordan Gross.
Finally, we have Williams, who is big at 6-6 and 315, but known as more of a finesse blocker better at protecting the pass than opening holes for the run. Since Carolina is trying to become more physical on the line, it's doubtful the Panthers would spend their first choice on him.
There's a drop-off after that; guys like Cherilus (late first round) and Southern California's Sam Baker (early second) would be a huge reach unless Carolina trades down, not an impossibility. But keep in mind that several teams want to trade down this year.
There is one wild card. Virginia's Branden Albert played collegiately as a guard, and started the postseason far down the list. But Albert, 6-6, 309 pounds, has been impressing ever since, and many NFL folks believe he could easily shift to tackle. Problem is, Albert has become so popular, he's likely to go in the top 10.
And there's something else to consider. Carolina has been stocking up on big guards in free agency, and now has a load of potential starters at the position. That could mean the Panthers have decided to leave left tackle Travelle Wharton where he is, instead of moving him to left guard to replace the departed Mike Wahle.
If that's the plan, then acquiring one of those big tackles will slip behind a host of other needs.
