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NFL DRAFT
Panthers seek impact players
CHARLES CHANDLER
cchandler@charlotteobserver.com
With the clock potentially ticking on the regime of general manager Marty Hurney and coach John Fox, and with multiple lineup holes to be filled, the Carolina Panthers need instant impact out of this draft. Focusing solely on the first-round pick, here are six ways the Panthers can score big today, with the likelihood of it happening:
1
EVEN ODDS Choose Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey with the 13th overall selection and add a running back and defensive tackle in the next few rounds.Harvey would fill a desperate need for a rush end to play opposite of Julius Peppers. But teams such as New England, Baltimore and Cincinnati, picking 7th through 9th, respectively, might take him before the Panthers get the chance.
Also Detroit has the 15th pick and could try to jump over Carolina to get Harvey. Buffalo, which has the 11th pick, might be willing to trade with the Lions.
2
3-2 ODDS
If Harvey is gone, stay at 13 and take the running back who best fits their offense and who has the potential to be an NFL rushing champion -- Oregon's Jonathan Stewart.
Concerns about his toe after undergoing surgery have subsided. Stewart is a big, powerful back who is such a skilled athlete that he returned kicks in college.
He could become the type of feature back the Panthers have lacked since Stephen Davis, and it could happen quickly because runners often excel as rookies.
Another back worthy of considering is Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall.
3
3-1 ODDS Stay at 13 and pick Boise State offensive tackle Ryan Clady or Virginia offensive lineman Branden Albert, who can play guard or tackle.This wouldn't be a flashy pick but it would greatly upgrade the Panthers offensive line. Carolina could then get a running back in the second or third round.
One or both may be unavailable, however. Clady and Albert are candidates to go to Kansas City with the fifth pick or Denver with the 12th.
4
10-1 ODDS
Trade up to the eighth pick to snatch away Southern California defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis from the Cincinnati Bengals, who are picking ninth and have targeted him for weeks.
The Panthers have only two experienced defensive tackles, starters Ma'ake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis, and would greatly benefit from adding an enforcer like Ellis.
The Patriots at No. 7 apparently wants to move down because they can still get a player they like and not have to pay him as much.
Baltimore has the No. 8 selection but will be ready to move down if Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan is no longer on the board.
New Orleans, which has the 10th pick, is another suitor for Ellis and may be able to offer a more desirable trade option than Carolina.
Perhaps even more likely is that Ellis will be gone after the first seven picks.
5
12-1 ODDS Trade down a few spots to add picks in later rounds.While the extra draft choices would be nice, the possibility of getting an impact player would be lessened because the 13th position seems so well-placed for Carolina's needs.
If the Panthers trade down, they could target Mendenhall, Pittsburgh tackle Jeff Otah, Boston College tackle Gosder Cherilus, Arkansas running back Felix Jones, Miami (Fla.) safety Kenny Phillips, Clemson defensive end Phillip Merling or North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer.
6
100-1 ODDS
Trade up into the No. 5 (Chiefs), 6 (Jets) or 7 (Patriots) position to take Ryan just ahead of the Ravens.
The Panthers believe Ryan is a true franchise quarterback, the kind who can make Pro Bowls and win Super Bowls. He probably won't fall far enough down for them to get in position to make a move, but the option apparently hasn't been ruled out.
Ryan might not give the Panthers immediate impact on the field, but he'd provide a surge of hope for the future and a new face for the franchise.
Problem is the Falcons, picking third, have the same idea.
Charles Chandler: (704) 358-5123.
