Drafting A Different Carolina Panthers Team

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

With the 8th overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, the Panthers selected Jordan Gross (OT). Gross is an iron man for the team. He has started from day one for the Panthers and through 2007, has never missed a start (injuries haven't slowed him). Gross was a solid pick for Carolina.

Bruce Nelson (C) was taken in the 2nd round. Nelson was not a good pick, horrible even since a 2nd rounder should be a guy that really contributes to the team. Nelson only started one game for the Panthers (injuries sidelined him). The Panthers would have been better off selecting Osi Umenyiora (DE), Lance Briggs (LB), Jason Witten (TE) or Anquan Boldin (WR).

In round 3, the Panthers had two draft picks that were used to select Mike Seidman (TE) and Ricky Manning Jr. (CB). Seidman never became a star and Manning Jr. only played three years with Carolina. The team should have drafted Justin Fargas (RB) and Terrence McGee (CB).

The Panthers took Colin Branch (S) in the 4th round even though bigger play makers like Asante Samuel (CB) or Robert Mathis (DE) were still available. In round 5, the Panthers selected Kindal Moorehead (DT), but was never really a starter except in his second year. A better option here would have been Cato June (LB), David Diehl (OT) or Dan Koppen (C).

Carolina wasted a draft pick on Walter Young (WR) in the 7th round who played only one year for the team. A better draft selection here would have been Kevin Walter (WR).

The Panthers could have used some of their draft picks to draft or they could have signed a few key undrafted players to help bolster their roster. Tony Romo (QB), Antonio Gates (TE) and Kris Dielman (OG) went undrafted and any NFL team could have signed them since no one took a chance on selecting them in the NFL Draft.


Summary Of Players The Carolina Panthers Should Have Acquired In 2003

Jason Witten
Justin Fargas
Terrence McGee
Asante Samuel
Cato June
Kevin Walter
Tony Romo
Antonio Gates
Kris Dielman

In the 2004 NFL Draft, the Panthers picked Chris Gamble (CB) with the 28th overall pick. Gamble has been a starter most of his career and has posted solid numbers, so this was a worthy pick.

The Carolina Panthers selected Keary Colbert (WR) in round 2. Take away his rookie year and Colbert could be considered a bust. The Panthers should have taken Chris Cooley (TE), Darnell Dockett (DT) or Nick Hardwick (C). In round 3, the team picked Travelle Wharton (OT) and has been a starter in every game he has played in (he has had some injury issues). Wharton is considered a good pick.

The Panthers drafted Drew Carter (WR) in the 5th round. Carter has had many injury problems over the years, so Carolina should have selected Derrick Ward (RB).


Summary Of Players The Carolina Panthers Should Have Acquired In 2004

Chris Cooley
Derrick Ward

The Panthers had ten draft picks in the 2005 NFL Draft. With the 14th overall pick, Carolina chose Thomas Davis (LB). Not counting his rookie season, Davis has been mostly a starter that has been productive, however he has never been selected as one of the elite players (Pro Bowler). Lofa Tatupu (LB), on the other hand, has been a Pro Bowler in every season he has played. Tatupu was still on the draft board when Carolina made their Davis selection.

Eric Shelton (RB) was drafted in round 2 and was a huge waste of a draft pick. In the two years he played with Carolina (he was never a starter), he rushed the ball only 8 times for 23 yards (those are his career numbers). The Panthers should have taken Frank Gore (RB), Justin Tuck (DE) or Vincent Jackson (WR).

The Carolina Panthers had two draft picks in round 3, which were used on Evan Mathis (OG) and Atiyyah Ellison (DT). Mathis played only three years and Ellison played in only one season for the Panthers. Better picks here would have been Kyle Orton (QB), Brandon Jacobs (RB) or Marion Barber III (RB).

In the 4th round, Carolina chose Stefan LeFors (QB). LeFors was only with the team for his rookie year and was released in September 2006. The Panthers could have gotten more value out of their 4th round draft pick by selecting Trent Cole (DE).

Round 5 brought two more draft picks to the Panthers. Adam Seward (LB) and Geoff Hangartner (C) were added to the team. Both guys are mainly backups, but bigger impact players were still on the draft board. In fact the following guys went undrafted meaning any team could have drafted them during the 2005 NFL Draft or signed them as a free agent: Josh Cribbs (KR), Ryan Grant (RB) and Atari Bigby (S).


Summary Of Players The Carolina Panthers Should Have Acquired In 2005

Lofa Tatupu
Frank Gore
Brandon Jacobs
Kyle Orton
Trent Cole
Josh Cribbs
Ryan Grant
Atari Bigby

1. DeAngelo Williams
2. Jake Delhomme
3. Jonathan Stewart
4. Steve Smith
5. Carolina Panthers defense

The Panthers had the 27th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, which was used on DeAngelo Williams (RB). In 2008, Williams is now the starting running back for the Panthers. However, if Carolina had drafted Frank Gore and Brandon Jacobs the year before, Williams would not have been taken with this draft pick. Instead, the Panthers could have drafted Devin Hester (KR), DeMeco Ryans (LB), Greg Jennings (WR) or Marcus McNeill (OT).

Richard Marshall (CB) was selected in round 2 by the Carolina Panthers. Marshall is not a big-time play maker and usually rides the bench. For a 2nd round selection, this is a wasted draft pick. The Panthers should have taken Tony Scheffler (TE).

Round 3 brought James Anderson (LB) and Rashad Butler (OT) to the team and they too are bench players. Better options here would have been Owen Daniels (TE) and Brandon Marshall (WR).

The Panthers drafted Nate Salley (S) in the 4th round. Salley is also a reserve player, but Carolina could have selected full-time starter Omar Gaither (LB). Jeff King (TE) was taken in round 5 and has yet to develop into an NFL star. Carolina should have drafted Antoine Bethea (FS).

In round 7, the Panthers wasted another draft pick on Will Montgomery (C) who only played one year with the team. Carolina would have benefited more from this draft pick by selecting Marques Colston (WR) who was still available.


Summary Of Players The Carolina Panthers Should Have Acquired In 2006

Devin Hester
Tony Scheffler
Owen Daniels
Brandon Marshall
Omar Gaither
Antoine Bethea
Marques Colston

The Panthers have had some disappointing seasons (some caused by a number of injuries). By switching just a few draft selections, the Carolina Panthers could have won more playoff games and built a team with excellent depth. The "dream team" below is based on team needs and draft locations.

Tony Romo (QB)
Kyle Orton (QB)

Ryan Grant (RB)
Brandon Jacobs (RB)
Derrick Ward (RB)
Justin Fargas (RB)

Brandon Marshall (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)
Vincent Jackson (WR)
Kevin Walter (WR)

Jason Witten (TE)
Antonio Gates (TE)
Tony Scheffler (TE)
Owen Daniels (TE)

Dan Koppen (C)
Jordan Gross (OT)
Travelle Wharton (OT)
Kris Dielman (OG)

Darnell Dockett (DT)
Trent Cole (DE)

Lofa Tatupu (LB)
DeMeco Ryans (LB)
Omar Gaither (LB)

Terrence McGee (CB)
Asante Samuel (CB)
Chris Gamble (CB)
Atari Bigby (S)
Antoine Bethea (FS)

Josh Cribbs (KR)