This is the fifth in a series of in-depth analysis of each of the Panthers recent draft.

 For the 3^rd year in a row the Panthers drafted a tight end, this time in the 5^th round in the form of former Louisville Cardinal Gary Barnidge. You’ll see some player analysis and stats below but you have start by viewing this video. I’ll warn you though, the video quality is not so good and the background music is horrendous so you might want to mute it.

Gary Barnidge (via Smitty4MVP9391)

Of course the first play where he jumps over the guy is pretty impressive. It looks like he also runs good routes and makes big catches. He’s even got some wiggle in his hips in the open field, at least more than you would expect from a TE. He certainly isn’t afraid to go across the middle of the field and he uses is blocks well too.

 Here’s his measurables and key college stats.

 Height: 6-foot-6            Weight: 230 pounds

Gary Barnidge - Receiving Stats

YEAR  REC     YDS    AVG    LNG    TD

2004    7          85        12.1     25        4

2005    17        240      14.1     43        2

2006    31        511      16.5     59        4

2007    53        655      12.4     81        7

It’s hard to believe he didn’t get run down from behind on that 81 yarder which I believe is in the video.

 At the scouting combine among TE’s he came in 6^th in the 40, 7^th in the bench press (22 reps), 5^th in the vertical jump and 4^th in the three cone among others.

 Here’s what one scout had to say about him before the draft :

 Strengths

Good height and frame to get bigger…Excellent hands…Real versatile…Above average speed (4.6)…Runs good routes…Nice body control and ball skills…Can do some damage after the catch…Is very tough…Good production…Special teams potential.

 Weaknesses

Needs to add weight and bulk up…Isn’t a great blocker…Just an average athlete…Just an average athlete and looks stiff…Not real quick or explosive…Pad level is too high…Has trouble getting off the line…Does not get separation…Is not real strong or aggressive

 Here’s another analysis to compare :

Positives: Good size potential. ... Long, gangly frame with lots of room for additional growth. ... Used in a variety of formations -- including the traditional tight end role, movement, out of the slot, etc. ... Reliable short- and medium-range route-runner. ... Uses his size well to shield defenders from the ball. ... Catches the ball cleanly, secures it and looks to gain positive yardage. ... Best attribute might be his reliable hands. ... Good timed speed and flashes the speed to challenge deep down the seam. ... Good effort as an inline blocker. ... Hard worker.

Negatives: Has struggled to add and maintain weight throughout his career. ... Simply isn't strong or stout enough at this time to operate as an inline blocker in the NFL. ... Good timed speed, but is a bit stiff and struggles to generate separation.

2008 Season Impact Analysis

I think it’s fair to say Barnidge won’t be a reliable blocker anytime soon. Everyone raves about his hands and his route running so that will be his key to making the roster.

 I was surprised the Panthers didn’t draft a fullback in this draft considering Brad Hoover is probably on his last contract. But maybe the plan is to move Dante Rosario permanently to an H-back/fullback type of role. He did play that position at times last season. It would make sense then to go after a tall, reliable and speedy TE to become the red-zone threat the Panthers have missed since the departure of Wesley Walls. John Fox said he wanted to add play-makers to this offense. Gary Barnidge could very well develop into one as this season progresses.

Update: I had someone email me Gary's personal website which you can find here .