Yet More Panthers Pro Day Info

I can't help but say yet again if you are going to state how many NFL teams were in attendance why not list which ones? Here are the Pro Days where the Panthers brass was specifically mentioned plus I threw in a segment from FSU.

Florida

Wide receiver Percy Harvin was the headliner at Florida's pro day today in Gainesville. A slew of wide receiver coaches came out to watch Harvin perform, and Vikings vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman, Panthers general manager Marty Hurney, and Bucs GM Mark Dominik and coach Raheem Morris also were in attendance.

Others Hurney may have been interested to watch:

OT Jason Watkins (6-5 3/4, 319 pounds) did 19 bench-press reps, but he kept the rest of his numbers from the combine. He did position workouts.

OT Phil Trautwein (6-6, 308 pounds) ran 5.40 and 5.36 seconds in the 40, had a 27-inch vertical and an 8-foot, 3-inch broad jump and did 23 bench-press reps.

I would agree the Panthers seem to be scouting like they will have a first round pick but agree it could just be ‘just in case'.

There is no doubt the Panthers will spend at least one pick on an offensive linemen and it could be more.

FSU

Another player to watch is CB/KR Michael Ray Garvin (5-7 5/8, 174 pounds). Garvin, a world-class track speedster, turned in times of 4.24 and 4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash. For comparison, either one of those times would have been the fastest at the combine in Indianapolis, as Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey had the best time at 4.30 seconds. Garvin also had a 36-inch vertical leap, a 10-foot, 8-inch broad jump and times of 4.34 seconds in the short shuttle and 6.97 seconds in the three-cone drill.

I included this segment since I wouldn't be surprised to see the Panthers nab a return specialist in case Ryne Robinson falters early. Garvin is a speedster that could add depth to the CB position.

Central Arkansas

Four NFL teams sent representatives for Central Arkansas' pro day, including Carolina Panthers tight ends coach Geep Chryst. Ten players worked out indoors on FieldTurf.

Chryst must have been there to see TE Marquez Branson (6-2, 241 pounds). Branson ran 40-yard dash times of 4.55, 4.67 and 4.66. He ran three times because of the discrepancy between the first two times. He had a 36-inch vertical with times of 4.40 in the short shuttle and 7.29 in the three-cone drill. He stood on his results from the combine in the bench press and the broad jump.

I can't imagine the Panthers would draft a TE for the 4^th straight year but maybe they are more interested in a blocking TE than a pass catcher. I would agree we could use another blocking TE as Dante Rosario and Gary Barnidge are more receivers than blockers. Reading his analysis only muddied the water further though:

Positives: Stout frame with room for additional growth. Good initial quickness off the snap. Athletic enough to gain a free release off the line and to shake linebackers to gain separation. Secure receiver who looks the ball into his hands. Can take a shot and maintain possession. Good speed to challenge the seam. Surprisingly physical at the point of attack as a run blocker. Gets a good initial pop and will battle for position.

Negatives: May have to make the transition to H-back or fullback at the next level due to his lack of preferred size and strength. Has no experience as a traditional fullback. Good effort, but only marginal overall strength as a blocker. Level of competition a concern. May struggle with a complicated playbook.

I imagine the Panthers are looking to replace Brad Hoover in the future but this guy doesn't seem to be the answer. Plus the Panthers have the FB Broughton they signed (but then released but should be back). This is confusing at best.