Will the Panthers Draft a QB?

by Jaxon on Feb 13, 2009 11:19 AM EST

With this years draft coming on the heels of Panthers QB Jake Delhomme's play off meltdown it's to be expected that Panther fans would be clamoring for a change. Though John Fox has already proclaimed Delhomme the Panthers starter for next season Fox might still draft a QB. I say that because Fox will not hesitate to draft a player seen as a ‘value' pick, a player that doesn't fill a position of need but is too good to pass up. We've seen him do this the past two drafts, taking the sliding C Ryan Kalil in 2007 and LB Dan Conner last year. What's to say one these top 10 QB's doesn't slide right into Fox' lap in this year's draft?

So here's a couple links to the QB ranking, the first from SI and the second SBN's own draft site Mocking the Draft.

I see no need to discuss the top 3 ranked QB's, Matt Stafford, Mark Sanchez and Josh Freeman as I think there is no way any of them fall to the Panthers first pick, #59 in the 2^nd round. So let's debate the rest of the list. The premise is how far would each have to fall for John Fox to view the guy as a ‘value' pick, one he just couldn't turn down, similar to the Kalil and Conner picks.

4. Nate Davis, Ball St. 6'1", 218 (2^nd round)

5. Tom Brandstater, QB, Fresno State, 6'5, 225 (6-7^th round)

6. Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston State, 6'2, 220 (5^th round)

7. Drew Willy, QB, Buffalo, 6'3, 214 (7^th round)

8. Graham Harrell, QB, Texas Tech, 6'2, 205 (6^th round)

9. Chase Daniel, QB, Missouri, 6'0, 228 (FA)

10. David Johnson, QB, Tulsa, 6'3, 220 (6^th round)

11. Hunter Cantwell, QB, Louisville, 6'4, 236 (5-6^th round)

12. Cullen Harper, QB, Clemson, 6'3, 220 (6-7^th round)

I stopped the list at #12 Cullen Harper because I watched Harper play a lot last season and I just don't think he is NFL starter material (but of course I could be wrong). I've added the projected draft round based on projections from Walter Football since MTD doesn't project that info (which explains why the rankings don't line up with the projected round). Also notice Pat White is omitted since he really projects as a WR, but we can debate that another time. If you look at the Walter listing it is vastly different than the MTD one from SBN. So we have plenty to argue about!

As it turns out Walter has the Panthers taking #4 on the list Nate Davis in the 2^nd round. So let's start there. Would that be a good pick?

Poll

Should the Panthers draft a QB?

Yes, use their very first pick

13 votes

Yes, if value falls in their lap

46 votes

Yes, but late rounds only

15 votes

No, don't need a QB

11 votes

85 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

A QB in the 2nd rd...

would be a bad idea. We have some obvious needs, and QB isn’t one of them. We definitely need a QB for the future, but that’s based on Jake’s age as much as his performance in the playoff game. DL and DB are two obvious weaknesses. Whatever one thinks of Lucas, he’s obviously a quality CB, even though he’s no superstar. He could be a good nickel corner, but not for the price. He’s gonna be elsewhere, and so is Peppers, and that leaves two holes we need to fill, in addition to still trying to fill we let go in Kris Jenkins, who just went to his 5th or 6th Pro Bowl.

by usana_gaines on Feb 13, 2009 1:29 PM EST reply actions

Honestly

I agree with you. Even if a QB fell to the Panthers, I think we have such a big need at DL and DE that I don’t think the Panthers should draft one. They would be better off speed dialing a couple of teams and seeing if they want to trade up and try to get a draft pick out of it. I think the Panthers have a need for the QB of the future, I just don’t think it is this year.

by bengoodfella on Feb 13, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed completely

I wouldn’t go QB until DE, DT & maybe even WR & CB have been addressed. Plus, I’m really not enamored with any of the QBs available this year.

The Utah Jazz
3rd Down & Full Count

by UtesFan89 on Feb 13, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

What do you think of this 3rd round Panthers pick and comment from Walter?

The comment concerning Richard Marshall:

Carolina Panthers: Asher Allen, CB, Georgia
At this selection, Carolina needs to address the defensive tackle or corner position. Ken Lucas is as good as gone, and Richard Marshall apparently doesn’t have what it takes to start at corner in this league.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Feb 13, 2009 1:45 PM EST reply actions

I think

I think Richard Marshall does have what it takes but again, as I post almost hourly, playing him in soft zone coverage is wasting his skills. He has the personality and the cover skills of someone who is more aggressive. He looked lost all year and he got beat regularly. I say drafting a CB in the draft is a good idea but the Panthers really have to make sure they put Marshall in a position to succeed and I am not sure they did that last year.

by bengoodfella on Feb 13, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

Let me ask you guys something.

Say we had a first round pick. Would you guys consider using a second round pick on a QB?

"Once again the trowsers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn

by Revshawn on Feb 13, 2009 8:19 PM EST reply actions

Just the opposite

If the Panthers were determined to get a QB and had a 1st round pick from a Peppers trade then I would say go for Freeman. I’d rather get a kid that’s going to compete for the #1 job in a year or two then drafting a back-up. That’s just me though.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Feb 14, 2009 12:11 AM EST up reply actions

agree with Jaxon

Would get a QB in the 1st round or not at all. We should’ve drafted one last year. There was so much more talent at every position, it seems, last year. I still would’ve like to see Josh Johnson, or the Oregon QB, in Carolina. Instead we drafted guys who didn’t play.

The guy who said Marshall doesn’t have what it takes to start is probably basing that on the fact the Fox has decided Marshall doesn’t have what it takes to start by keeping him on the bench. Marshall, inmy opinion, is the best CB on the roster and will prove it next year. When he was starting for the injured Gamble, he played better. He is a great tackler and the best on the team in bump and run, two skills that were sorely needed down the stretch, but Trgo didnt’ even try those things are get Marshall on the field.

One more thing, after we address the DL, I would like to draft another WR, like Utes Fan said. If we don’t get a great one, at elast get someone to fill the void Jarrett and Hackett can’t fill. I mean, really, were they really much better than Colbert and Carter?

by usana_gaines on Feb 14, 2009 2:19 AM EST reply actions