Though the Panthers tied with several other teams at 7-9 they will get the 13th pick in the 2008 draft based on a strength of schedule formula I’m not even going to try and figure out. The best way to stay on top  of the draft going forward is checking out SB Nation site Mocking the Draft.

I know its way early to be talking about the draft but it’s what has my interest at the moment. You can find plenty of sites showing player rankings including the one I linked above. What I would like to know is your opinion on what position the Panthers should fill in the first round next year.

I’m focused on left tackle and here’s why: QB Jake Delhomme got knocked out for the season on a sack by Falcons DE/LB John Abraham, who beat left tackle Travelle Wharton. I hate to dis Travelle as he is a Carolina boy but the truth is he is not a dominate LT. He will be a serviceable back-up and I wonder if he shouldn’t be moved to guard. Wharton is a free agent this offseason so if the Panthers do not resign him then I think that is a sign we will go for a tackle in the 1st round.

The Panthers need a dominate LT to protect Jake’s blind side next season and there should be a number of good ones available at #13. Outside of Michigan’s Jake Long the rest of the best should be there for the Panthers.

Here’s a ranking list of the best OT’s including the underclassmen that are expected to declare:

1. Jake Long, OT Michigan

2. *Ryan Clady, OT Boise State

3. *Michael Oher, OT Mississippi

4. Sam Baker, OT USC

5. Chris Williams, Vanderbilt

6. Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh

7. King Dunlap, Auburn

8. *Alex Boone, OT Ohio State

9. Gosder Cherilus, OT Boston College

10. *Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma

• underclassmen

I’ve seen eight of these guys projected as first-rounder’s depending on whose list you’re looking at. I’m not going to pretend I know how to evaluate linemen but I want someone who is big, like 6-6, 320 lbs minimum. I can’t say I’ve seen many of them play except the Boston College kid Cherilus. I’ve seen him ranked 3rd best OT somewhere else but here he’s 9th. Quite a disparity but given the depth at OT the Panthers may gamble on one slipping into the second round. I hate that philosophy because guys slip for a reason (think Dwayne Jarrett).

Here’s the top 6 through 20 overall from the same web site.

6. Sedrick Ellis, DT USC

7. *James Laurinaitis, LB Ohio State

8. Jake Long, OT Michigan

9. *Kenny Phillips, S Miami (FL)

10. *Ryan Clady, OT Boise State

11. *Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State

12. *Derrick Harvey, DE Florida

13. Dan Conner, LB Penn State

14. Andre Woodson, QB Kentucky

15. *Vernon Gholston, DE Ohio State

16. *Michael Oher, OT Mississippi

17. Keith Rivers, LB LSU

18. *Calais Campbell, DE Miami (FL)

19. Early Doucet, WR LSU

20. *DeSean Jackson, WR California

A defensive tackle would also be nice. I don’t think we need a LB or a CB but another DE for the right side would be good. We obviously need a safety but I would rather wait till the second or 3rd round. I love WR Early Doucet but I think we would be better served getting a WR in free agency. We don’t need another WR project, we have enough of those. I don’t think we need a QB either unless come April its apparent Jakes’ elbow is not going to be ready. If Matt Ryan fell to 13 then I would jump on him but I’m not sold on Kentucky’s Woodson.  

So take my poll on what position you think the Panthers need to draft in April.