Carolina Panthers
Coming off a 7-9 season where head coach John Fox’s job was considered by many to be in jeopardy the Carolina Panthers had a number of questions to answer. QB Jake Delhomme went on injured reserve early in the season with a major elbow injury, DT Mike Rucker announced his retirement and RB DeShaun Foster was released.
Considering their needs along both defensive and offensive lines, as well as at the quarterback position it was interesting that the powers that be pulled the trigger on Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon with their 2008 first round draft pick. Interesting in that the Panthers used their first round pick just two years ago on a running back when they drafted Memphis product DeAngelo Williams. Further, it was only 2002 when the Panthers used a high second round pick (#34 overall) to select the departed Foster.
The Stewart selection indicates that the team doesn’t have much faith that Williams can be a full time starter, which makes his status as a former first rounder questionable. Even a late first round pick seems rather expensive for a change of pace back. When you consider that the only other running back the Panthers have selected in the first round was Tim Biakabutuka back in 1996, the team’s history with running backs is not on their side.
A few selections later the Panthers allowed the Eagles to fleece them on a trade that allowed Carolina to move back into the first round and obtain the #19 overall selection. With that pick the Panthers drafted Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh, which was a good selection and clearly one aimed at adding depth along its offensive line. The pick was also insurance against the likelihood that the team will not be able to sign 2003 first round pick Jordan Gross to a long term contract extension. Gross, who was hit with the franchise tag this offseason, was the last first round selection at an offensive line position since the team took OT Blake Brockermeyer in their inaugural 1995 season.
