How Did the Carolina Panthers Do in the 2014 NFL Draft?
The Carolina Panthers have one of the best GMs in the NFL. Longtime employee of the New York, Giants, Dave Gettleman has done outstanding work with the Carolina panthers. The guy is a beast and he really is cerebral with the moves he makes. Look at this off-season, people went off the rails when he cut basically his entire wide receiver corps. That's nuts in many people's minds. Fans went crazy, the comment boards were vile, but you look at the receiving corps now, to me it is better this year than last. With big-bodied wide receiver, Kelvin Benjamin being drafted and new arrivals WRS; Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant, Tiquan Underwood, Marvin McNutt, QB Cam Newton has plenty to work with here. That is an amazing rebuild in an off-season and it shows his genius and knowing football.
2014 NFL DRAFT PICK RECAP AND ANALYSIS
Kelvin Benjamin WR, Florida State Round 1 Pick # 28
Great Pick. I had the Carolina Panthers taking Morgan Moses OT for the 28th draft pick in my 2014 NFL Mock Draft. My bad. My thought was the retirement of Jordan Gross at OT left a huge need and it's Cam Newton's blind side. The Panthers didn't even draft an OT so that tells me they are good to go with right tackle Byron Bell or Nate Chandler. So Benjamin was a great pick as it gives Newton a huge target with great hands to move the chains. Great Pick.
Kony Ealy DE, Missouri Round 2 Pick # 28
Kony Ealy, overall the 60th man off the draft board was like shopping at Walmart and getting a real mink coat for $20 bucks. Are ya kidding! Perfect pick by Gettleman and he is must have died when he realized it was gonna fall in his lap. The Panthers get another freaky pass rusher with insane ability and they don't have to be held hostage when next year, Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson contracts both need to be revisited. Gettleman also has LB Luke Kuechly and Cam Newton to negotiate and you just can' afford everyone. Great Pick.
Trai Turner OG, Louisiana State Round 3 Pick # 28
Leaving school early keep him in the third round, had he waited, he would have most likely been a first round pick next year. Amazing talent and perfect since the Panther Offensive line may be moving around a bit. Could either be an addition to the depth chart with a starter role next year or perhaps he goes immediately to work as the starting right guard. No matter, the Panthers make another great pick on this interior anchor with versatility. Great Pick.
Tre Boston SS, North Carolina Round 4 Pick # 28
Bit of a maturity issue but is a real football player who I think instantly upgrades an already good secondary. I can see with this talented defense, that scoring twice on them maybe next to impossible. I like this guy a lot and how he fits into the Panthers defensive schemes. They needed a guy who could come downhill fast thus allowing Hardy and Kuechly more latitude to audible a stunt blitz. This kinda pick is what makes Gettleman a stud. Great Pick.
Bene Benwikere CB, San Jose State Round 5 Pick # 8
A proven ball hawk that plays the ball as good as any receiver. Can easily play in the cover 2, will have to get stronger as evidenced at the NFL Combine with only 10 reps to be a good press cover. Needs help with tackling technique but the guy can play and can turn a game with one play. Is a similar player to Ex-Titans CB Alterraun Verner. Great Pick.
Tyler Gaffney RB, Stanford Round 6 Pick # 28
Last year they drafted RB Kenjon Barner in the 6th round. His pick kinda tells me how Barner's career is going. It's not. I expect to see Barner released with the addition of Tyler Gaffney. Yes, this is a bit of a redundant pick for the Panthers and maybe they could have drafted better. Not sure why they thought they needed another RB when they have RBs DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert. Curious to see what is going on here and if I was drafting I would have drafted FS Eric Pinkins from San Diego State or QB Tajh Boyd from Clemson. I think Boyd would be a great project player learning from Cam Newton. Confusing pick for me and I give it a Grade D.
Overall Team Draft Day Analysis
Dave Gettleman and the Carolina Panthers smoked the 2014 NFL Draft. They hit every pick but the last one and almost every player can make an impact immediately and fills a need in a big way. I think I am leaning towards Carolina as having the best draft of any team.
Draft Grade: A
Would have been a A++ if they drafted the two suggestions I made. Still what a day and to think Dave Gettleman went to his son's graduation on Saturday and did the draft by Skype just blows me away. This is why Dave Gettleman should be in the conversation as one of the best GMs in the league.
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