The Draft Was
... As good as could be hoped for. Jonathan Stewart is going
to be a star, and Jeff Otah was a nice value OT pick at the 19.
LB Dan Connor could've gone late in the first round, instead of
the third, and no one would've blinked, while there was some
surprisingly good deep value late in LB Hilee Taylor and DT Nick
Hayden. Best Value Pick: Dan Connor, LB Penn State. 3rd round.
Welcome to the next Dan Morgan. The Panthers might have gotten
their team's leading tackler with the 74th pick overall. Biggest Reach: Charles Godfrey, CB Iowa. 3rd round. He
went right about where he should've, but considering the need
for a quarterback, and with the way many wanted Godfrey, this
was a chance to trade away a mediocre corner, who's going to end
up at safety, and gotten more third round value. They Should've ... Grabbed a quarterback in the fifth
round. TE Gary Barnidge is a luxury pick for a team in desperate
need of a passer. Dennis Dixon, Josh, Johnson, Erik Ainge, Colt
Brennan and Andre Woodson were still on the board and would've
been a good value in the mid-fifth.
#
Pick
13
13
1st Round
Jonathan Stewart, RB Oregon
So he has a big toe problem. Injuries heal. A special back who
could be an elite difference maker for about ten games a season,
it'll be the other six games that'll be an issue. Sort of
because the way he's built, at 230 pounds, and with the way he
cuts, he's always going to have problems with ankle injuries.
Backs his size who try to cut like Barry Sanders simply don't
hold up over the long haul without a variety of problems.
However, speed and quickness-wise, he's the total package. He
has the cutting ability to make defenders miss at the line, and
the breakaway speed to tear off yards in chunks once he gets to
the second level. He does everything well with the ability to
catch out of the backfield and be used on kickoff returns on a
regular basis. While he could be a workhorse who becomes a
team's running game, he'll be absolutely devastating over the
long haul if he's the No. 1 back on a team with a good No. 2
option to share a bit of the load. CFN Projection: First RoundCFN Position Rank: 3
19
19
1st Round
(from Philadelphia)
Jeff Otah, OT Pitt
A massive run blocker who will plow over everyone at the next
level, he's ideal for anyone with a power running game and has
the attitude to punish and destroy anyone who gets in his path.
While he's not all that athletic and isn't going to be great on
the move, he should be able to get by on his strength and his
6-6, 325-pound size. There's still work to be done, he's not a
finished product, and that's a plus. The ceiling is limitless. CFN Projection: First Round CFN Position Rank: 4
4
67
3rd Round
Charles Godfrey, CB/FS Iowa
The measurables are there. He's close to six-feet and 207 pounds
with 4.48 speed, he could be a nice corner or a killer free
safety. A good tackler, he doesn't miss many stops and he has no
problem being physical. While he made five interceptions last
year, he doesn't attack the ball on a consistent basis and needs
a ton of work on his style and technique. He'll be a better pro
than a college player in a few years when he moves to safety
full time. CFN Projection: Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 14 (as a CB)
11
74
3rd Round
Dan Connor, OLB Penn State
A typical Penn State linebacker, Connor is a great tackler, is
all over the field, and gives all-out effort all the time. It
says something that he's the all-time leading tackler at
Linebacker U. finishing up his great career with 145 stops and
15 tackles for loss. He even grew into more of a pass rusher
making 6.5 sacks, but he's not going to get into the backfield
on a regular basis in the NFL. He's not Paul Posluszny and he
can't play on the outside, but he'll be a nice starter who'll
make a ton of tackles. CFN Projection: Second Round CFN
Position Rank: 2
6
141
5th Round
Gary
Barnridge, TE Louisville
After a good three years, Barnridge emerged as Brian Brohm's
main man as a senior with a tremendous 53-catch season with
seven touchdowns. He really helped himself by timing far better
than expected, and while he's not a natural route runner, he
could fit in well as a second tight end who moves the chains.
Not that big on a 6-5 frame, there's a ceiling on what he can
do. CFN Projection: Fifth Round
CFN
Position Rank: 12
15
181
6th Round
Nick Hayden, DT Wisconsin
While he projects to be a backup, he should be a decent one.
Without the athleticism to become a regular starter at the pro
level, Hayden has to use his toughness and run stuffing ability
to be a part of a rotation. He's not going to get into the
backfield, but it won't be for a lack of want-to. He just
doesn't have the tools. CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN
Position Rank: 12
14
221
7th Round
Hilee Taylor, DE/LB North Carolina
The classic tweener, Taylor is way too small to be an end but
has too much pass rushing ability to not be considered for an
outside job in a 3-4. He's not good enough against the run and
he's not quite special enough to warrant a long look at
linebacker if he's not getting into the backfield. CFN Projection: Free Agent CFN
Position Rank: 28
34
241
7th Round
Geoff Schwartz, OT Oregon
It's all there except the athleticism. He's not not going to
beat most speed rushers and he could eventually make his money
at guard, but he'll battle hard and will beat people up in the
running game. Really tough, really strong, and really good for
long stretches, he'll be a great cog in the system for ten
years, but he'll never be a Pro Bowl caliber performer. CFN Projection: Early Second Day CFN
Position Rank: 10
43
250
7th RoundMackenzy Bernadeau, OG/OT Bentley
While he's not all that strong, at least not strong enough to
overcome that fact that he went to Bentley, and he's coming off
a knee injury, he's a big athlete who moves well and has worked
his tail off to make himself into a pro prospect. Ideally a
tackle with his tools, he's not an NFL tackle in talent. He'll
make his money, if he can stick with a team, by being a good
pass protector on the inside. CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN
Position Rank: 8 (as an OG)
