Carolina Panthers 2008 NFL Draft Needs
Written April 17, 2008 by Jack Jones
The Panthers were part of a week NFC South after having a disappointing season at 7-9. The team was just awful on offense after starting quarterback Jake Delhomme went down with an elbow injury that cost him the rest of the season. Without him the team dropped all the way to the 30th best offense in the league, and will need a healthy Delhomme if they want to return a contender in 2008. He will have more weapons to go along with Steve Smith as the team has went out picked up D.J. Hackett and Muhsin Muhammad. The team did let go of DeShaun Foster and it looks like DeAngelo Williams will be the main guy after sharing duties in 2007. Here is a look at what the Panthers still need to address in this year’s draft to make sure they are ready for the 2008 season.
1. Free Safety
It isn’t clear what the team is planning to do here. They have yet to re-sign Deke Cooper, and Nate Salley really isn’t what the team is looking for. The Panthers could go after a big name here early and take Miami’s Kenny Phillips, or North Carolina State’s DaJuan Morgan.
2. Defensive End
It doesn’t look like fan favorite Mike Rucker will be starting in 2008, but they do still have Julius Peppers on one side. The team could look to past picks to fill this void, or they just might take a guy with the 13th pick in this year’s draft. The team is really looking at guys like Florida’s Derrick Harvey and Clemson’s Phillip Merling as possible picks early in the draft.
3. Quarterback
The team found out very painfully what life was like without Delhomme, and it’s unlikely they want to take that route again any time soon. The team needs a guy to be the future and they just might be able to fight that in this year’s draft. They could land a guy like Delaware’s John Flacco or Michigan’s Chad Henne.
4. Offensive Tackle
The team was fortunate to bring back both starting tackles this offseason. The team would have been in a world of hurt if they had not been able to use the franchise tag on Jordan Gross. Travelle Wharton is locked for 6 years, and the team could need a replacement for Gross in the next couple of years. They could land a guy like Kansas’s Anthony Collins in round 2, or wait and take a shot at a guy like Virginia Tech’s Duane Brown late in the draft.
5. Defensive Tackle
The team traded away Kris Jenkins this offseason and is need of a solid young replacement at this position. This might wind up being a much earlier pick than expected, and will mainly rely on who is on the board when they are up to pick. If USC’s Sedrick Ellis falls to 13 they have to take him, or they might wait and take a guy like Notre Dame’s Trevor Laws.
Be sure to continue to check back as we will continue to be bringing you team-by-team draft articles. Also, be sure to check out our first round Mock Draft. Feel free to leave any comments you might have on the draft and each team’s draft needs in our comment box.
