East-West Shrine Game Panther Draft Prospect Primer

by Jaxon on Jan 19, 2012 7:11 PM EST in NFL Draft

If you plan to watch the East-West Shrine Game this Saturday you might want to read this primer from Wes Bunting on the top 10 prospects playing in the game, including a couple I think would be good fit for the Panthers. If you are unfamilar with the Shrine game it is basically college seniors who did not get invited to the Senior Bowl. But don't let that fool you, there will still be some good players in this game. Former players include Hall of Famers like Johnny Lujak, Dick Butkus, Alan Page, Bob Lilly and Gale Sayers and legendary coaches like Bear Bryant and Steve Spurrier. Plus its a great cause as the Shriner's Hospital for Children is an amazing organization worthy of our support.

Bunting lists a smallish but super-fast WR as his top prospect, who is projected as a 4th round pick by CBS Sports.com:

1. Arkansas WR Jarius Wright (5-10, 176)
The undersized wide out didn’t have the type of dynamic week of practice I expected. However, a lot of that had to do with the quarterbacks on the west roster. Nevertheless, he was the one guy on the field who opposing corners were terrified of on the outside due to his ability to run vertically down the field. He showcased a real snap out of his breaks working the comeback as well and looked like a receiver in the Titus Young mold. But, he needs to continue to work on his hands when plucking the football.

Though the Panthers seem to have a glut of slot receivers in Armanti Edwards, Keoloha Pilares & Steve Smith (at least this is where I like to see him lined up) you never know who Hurney might take a flyer on in the middle rounds. Wright seems to offer a little more speed than Edwards or even Pilares which allow Smith to stay on the outside.

I've got a couple more...after the jump...

Bunting's 2nd place prospect is a local kid who has nice size for a CB:

2. Coastal Carolina CB Josh Norman (6-0, 203)
If there was an MVP of the week in St. Petersburg, Norman was the guy. He’s long, physical and showcased an impressive burst when asked to drive on the football. He was making plays all week and not only has a "plus" skill set, but also exhibits a very natural feel deciphering routes developing in front of him. There are some off the field character concerns, but he’s a legit top-100 pick.

CBS Sports has Norman ranked as a 3rd round prospect who just might move up. Yet this draft seems deep at CB which may entice Hurney to pass on Kirkpatrick in favor of a pass rusher only to look for a value pick CB like Norman in the middle rounds.

My third pick as a Panther prospect, and Buntings's 4th, is of course a DT:

4. Missouri DT Dominique Hamilton (6-5, 320)
Hamilton flashed all week. He can bend, has a good first step and can overwhelm on contact. He will get himself into some trouble when he gets upright inside and I would like to see him continue to fill out his lower half a little more. However, he looks like an ideal five-technique at the next level who should be able to earn a starting job in the league.

That sounds pretty lofty for a guy others feel is a UDFA. He could be another 7th round flyer the Panthers take if he is there, unless of course he blows up this game. You have to love the size but the smallish lower body might be what keeps him off of Hurney's draft board.

The game is 4pm this Saturday. Here's more details:

Game Date: Saturday, January 21, 2012

Kick-Off: 4:00 p.m. (EST)

Game Location: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL

Television: NFL Network

Radio: Broadcast locally on Clear Channel 620 WDAE

Broadcast internationally on East West Shrine Game Radio Network*

*Listen live online via link from Official Game Website; hosted by Tune in Radio

Check out who the coaches are:

East Head Coach: Bobby Ross (bio on website - TEAMS)

West Head Coach: Brad Childress (bio on website - TEAMS)

My money is on the East!

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I still can’t understand why Dominique Hamilton isn’t considered a 2nd to 3rd round prospect. I watched every game he has played in and he is a big strong dude. His teammates say that he can put up 225 pounds on the bench over 30 times . When in the game, teams just didn’t run on Mizzou. Last year after he missed the last 5 games with injury, the rushing yards given up per game went up over 50 ypg. If he gets drafted the fourth round or later I think he has the potential to be a HUGE draft gem.

by JStewart28 on Jan 19, 2012 7:33 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Like the idea of Hamilton being a later round gem.

I totally agree with you on the point of Hurney maybe not addressing CB with the first pick. This draft is the deepest at that position this year. Hamilton could be a Hurney-esque type of late draft pickup in the mold of a Hardy, Gettis, or Munnerlyn. It is almost more of a blast talking about mid to late round possible picks cause I really think Hurney needs to hit homeruns in all of the rounds of this upcoming draft. These players are just as valuable as this team growing as a whole. Guys could fill areas of depth so we don’t have to go combing the streets for players and also help improve our special teams talent. Then you might land a player with the desire to be a starter in this league then you have really hit one out of the park. Sorting through and predicting the players who the Panthers might get in later rounds is easier now than the first pick we have.

by Smokewagon on Jan 19, 2012 7:34 PM EST reply actions

The Panthers Fell In Love With Their 3rd Round Pick DT Terrell McClain At Last Years Shrine Bowl, But DT Martin Parker Was The Defensive MVP

DT Martin Parker, of Richmond, had 2 or 3 sacks in the game last year, but went undrafted, and couldn’t make a roster this season, so don’t get too carried away by what you see.

by PanthersRoar on Jan 19, 2012 7:48 PM EST reply actions

So are busting on McClain or Hamilton?

or both? The stats say at least a couple guys from this game will make an NFL roster, its fun pick who even if it is ‘getting too carried away’.

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by Jaxon on Jan 19, 2012 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

Another prospect for us to keep our eyes on is Miami TE Chase Ford

Per today’s Senior Bowl report:

The offensive star on Wednesday was Miami tight end Chase Ford. He had a rough day on Monday but has bounced back to perform well over the two most recent practices. In the team scrimmage, Ford was a force. He made a diving catch for a gain of about 20 yards and a touchdown. He -got open running down the seam on that play. He had a nice kick out block on a safety to spring Poole for a big run on an off-tackle run to the left. To conclude practice, Ford made a leaping touchdown catch in the end zone.

In speaking with some scouts, Ford is considered a mid- to late-rounder depending on the team and offense. He clearly struggles as a drive blocker, and does not have the strength to block at the line of scrimmage. At the same time, Ford is a good athlete with some deceptive speed to be a receiving threat. The 6-foot-6, 258-pounder is lean, but has the frame to add more strength and power. He is viewed as a developmental project, but one that could yield some definite rewards.

There are many reasons I could see us spending a late round pick on a developmental TE. Main reasons are as follows:

- As solid as the TE position was in 2011, Shockey’s contract is currently up… and even if we re-sign him, he is running out of gas in the tank. Barnidge is an enigma, apparently the coaches like him, but that doesn’t mean anything until he gets off the training table and onto the field. Brockel and Felton are your true H-Backs… more fullback than TE. Olsen is the only sure thing. This would be the perfect time to spend a 6th or 7th round pick on a guy who can learn from someone like Shockey and has a chance for spot duty.

- Chud loves an athletic receiving TE, and it sounds like Ford can fit that bill. The report also highlights that he has a frame that could easily add bulk without losing athleticism. If he can add some bulk, perhaps he can be a better blocker at the LOS, like we will need. He will also be learning from Shockey, a great blocking/receiving TE.

- He’s from “The U” which means Chud will be interested, and his new teammates will be very interested.

All said, the kid sounds like he is raising some eyebrows and will not cost us much. Chud is going to look for TEs that he can mold into his system and have the athletic ability to be true receiving threats. I would not be surprised if we went there late in the draft.

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by Tater596 on Jan 19, 2012 10:13 PM EST reply actions

Don't Forget Greg Smith, the....

UDFA we signed out of Texas last year who was able stay on the practice squad all season long. They must see something in him to have kept him around that long.

by Derek Leazer on Jan 19, 2012 11:06 PM EST up reply actions

Tater, FB Felton Was Cut During The Season & Claimed By The Lions

I would still like to see the Panthers sign Auburn RB Mario Fannin (5-10 3/8, 231, 4.38-40, 1,51-10, 21 bench reps, 37 1/2 inch vertical jump, 10-0 broad jump, 4.21 20 yard shuttle, per my personal 2011 Combine notes), if his ankle has recovered from the Broncos Training Camp injury. He’s a little small for a FB, but he blocks like one, and his 4.38-40 coming out of the backfield on the other side of the line from Steve Smith might help keep the defenses from tilting their coverage toward Smith’s side.

by PanthersRoar on Jan 19, 2012 11:32 PM EST up reply actions