OL Rankings from Mocking The Draft
If you haven't visited SB Nation's draft site "Mocking the Draft" then you're really doing yourself a disservice. Not only do they have some of the best draft coverage on the web, but they have the same interaction with their fans that each blog from SB Nation have.
With all the talk about the need for the Panthers to address the offensive line early in the draft I thought it would be prudent to look at the rankings from the MtD crew at both the OT and OG positions. I'll let you follow the links to see the full rankings, but I'll highlight some of the players who could/would be available to us around our picks.
2. Jonathan Martin, Stanford – Martin is a fantastic prospect that excels in all areas of the game and should be a top 10 pick.
I've been a fan of Martin for a long time now. I think he's an immediate starter at RT, and could become a true LT with a little work.
More after the jump
1. David DeCastro, Stanford – DeCastro is the best guard prospect to come around in a long time and he has the potential to be a top 3 or 4 guard in the NFL. He should likely be a top 15 draft pick.
There's no doubting that DeCastro is an elite prospect. The hard part is projecting whether a guard- any guard is worth a top 10 pick. Even great players like Steve Hutchinson were selected later in the draft, since the highest a guard has been selected was Mike Iupati, also a 17th overall pick. It's impossible to know if DeCastro could be the kind of player Marty Hurney would spend a top 10 pick on, but it's hard to argue with the idea of getting a player who could be regarded as one of the best of his position out of the gate.
4. Mike Adams, Ohio State – Adams is a pure RT prospect and he is a very good one at that. With a good interview at the combine, he could be a late first round pick
Late 1st round picks have a tendency to become early 2nd round picks very easily. Should the Panthers address their needs at either CB or DT in the 1st round then I'd watch for Adams to be a possible replacement for the oft-injured Jeff Otah. Regardless of what happens this off-season we can't start 2012 with Byron Bell at RT.
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Oooops !!
James, 99% of the time I agree with you concerning the Panthers and the way they should go – - – - but here’s the 1% I disagree. Byron Bell.
I paid close attention to him thru the whole season and his biggest problem, in my opinion, was he was trying too hard. As a result he made a lot of rookie mistakes ( holding, false start, etc.) but i thought he got better as the season wore on. THE IMPORTANT THING HE WAS ALWAYS TRYING!!!
I’d like to see him get another shot at it now that he’s got a season under his belt.
Jim
by goofygolfer on Jan 25, 2012 6:49 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Giving him a shot to compete is fine...
However, I don’t have confidence in his ability, based solely on what I saw in our games — even with a season under his belt, I still cringe somewhat at the thought of him being on the field. The right side of our offensive line is really in bad shape and in need of upgrading: Otah is the epitome of unreliability (he’s never played a full season yet, and hearing “next season, he’ll be 100%” only to be disappointed after the first week or two of the regular season year after year has left me jaded and cynical when it comes to whether he was worth the pick we made for him), and Bell is not my first choice to be in the mix there. I’d feel much better having someone in there that’s going to compete for the role, and not just hand it to Bell (or even to Otah, for that matter).
He tried his best but it wasn't enough
I remember during the 2nd NO game when they were talking about how that rookie DE from the Saints hadn’t gotten a sack all game. Then he came out and almost had 1 and one that would’ve been against anyone other than Cam. Could’ve been more, i’m not sure. I couldn’t watch the last 10 minutes of the game. He’s trying hard which I like but hes had a lot of ups and downs. He definitely deserves a roster spot but him being a starter wouldn’t be great for the offense
CAM....CAAAAAAAAM
by CamNewtonSBMVP on Jan 25, 2012 7:14 PM EST up reply actions
bleh, he had one and almost another one
CAM....CAAAAAAAAM
by CamNewtonSBMVP on Jan 25, 2012 7:14 PM EST up reply actions
The guy was awful, just awful
he allowed pressure after pressure. I saw him get blown by off the line without even getting as much as a touch on his man. He did an honorable job being thrown into the fire like that, but he is not a viable option.
"The way y'all are lollygaggin around here with them picks and them shovels, you'd think it was 120 degrees...can't be more than 114."
by SouthernPanther on Jan 25, 2012 7:43 PM EST up reply actions
He didn't blow me away but there is potential there.
In my opinion seeing how bamf operates he sees something in the kid our he would have been gone or someone else would have at least been starting ahead of him.
"Don't tell me about the pain, just bring me the baby" Cam Newton
by braves&panthers4ever on Jan 25, 2012 7:53 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
there was literally no one else
all our other tackles were hurt, Otah, Schwartz, Williams. Bell was probably better than going outside and getting whatever might be left in the FA market, but he was awful. Pro football focus I think ended up rating him as one of the worst tackles in the league this year.
"The way y'all are lollygaggin around here with them picks and them shovels, you'd think it was 120 degrees...can't be more than 114."
by SouthernPanther on Jan 25, 2012 8:49 PM EST up reply actions
since when is a udfa supposed to be oneof the top guys at his spot in his 1st year?
"Don't tell me about the pain, just bring me the baby" Cam Newton
by braves&panthers4ever on Jan 25, 2012 8:53 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
he's not
I’m not arguing he was supposed to be, I’m arguing that he was bad…
"The way y'all are lollygaggin around here with them picks and them shovels, you'd think it was 120 degrees...can't be more than 114."
by SouthernPanther on Jan 25, 2012 9:01 PM EST up reply actions
I think he will develop into a decent backup at RT, and maybe even a worthy starter at RG.
His problem is the lateral quickness needed to play tackle. He certainly has the strength needed to be an RT, and will only get better in that regard, however… he may never be fast enough to be serviceable in pass protection.
Either way, he deserves the benefit of the doubt since he was thrust into action as a UDFA. That year of starting experience is going to help him immensely, as will an offseason in an NFL program.
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by Tater596 on Jan 26, 2012 12:32 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Honestly, I mostly agree with you here.
But I think his future position is at RG.
I don't always fail, but when I do...
I do it awesomely.
by BusyBeingAwesome on Jan 26, 2012 10:39 AM EST up reply actions
Draft
Just thought I would post this here, since it pertains to the draft:
Players the Panthers have met with the last 3 days at the Senior Bowl.
Brian Quick, WR, App. St.
DeVier Posey, WR, Ohio St.
Mitchell Schwartz, OL, California (Geoff Schwartz’ little brother)
Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall
Derek Wolfe, DE, Cincinnati
Info via walterfootball.com
by JStewart28 on Jan 25, 2012 7:31 PM EST via mobile reply actions
i thought wolfe had been doing nothing in practice the last couple of days?
Save us Pilares
by LimeyPanther on Jan 25, 2012 8:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Interesting we have met with so many WRs and DEs
And keep in mind… these are just observed interviews. There could have been more. My opinions…
- Due diligence on Quick, who is of course a local favorite. While I certainly think he will pan out in the NFL, I just don’t see us spending the 2nd round pick needed to draft him.
- Interesting that we interviewed DeVier Posey, he is a guy with character concerns as he was one of the guys suspended this past season for taking improper benefits at Ohio St. He is currently projected as a mid round prospect, but more importantly, this reinforces the new staffs willingness to take on troubled players if it means finding a gem talent wise.
- Mitchell Shwartz, honestly, we can’t NOT give the brother of a current player an interview. Geoff would probably be offended if we didn’t. Not to say we’re not interested in him, but I’m just saying that we kind of HAD to interview him.
- Vinny Curry and Derek Wolfe suggest that we are interested in spending a mid round pick on a defensive lineman. In my honest opinion though… smokescreen. We may be more interested in the bigger 1st round fish, we just don’t want to let on about that yet.
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As an Ohio State fan
The improper benefits the OSU players received really didn’t seem to be that big a deal. Just a case of the NCAA cracking the whip way too hard.
The NCAA has a knack for that
What is your opinion on Posey as a player?
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Well I didn't get to see him much this year because of the suspension
And didn’t help that Braxton Miller couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn half the time and OSU ran the ball excessively. But he always seemed to make a play when needed. I don’t think he’ll be a superstar or anything, but he could turn into a very respectable 2nd or 3rd option. The homer in me says we should take him, but I think he’s too much like Brandon LaFell (similar size, slightly faster, less reliable hands) to make a lot of sense for us to pick up unless he falls farther than expected.
An Ohio State player I would look out for next year is TE Jake Stoneburner (assuming we don’t get a TE of the future in this upcoming draft).
We already have a TE of the future
His name is Greg Olsen.
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by Jake Humphrey on Jan 26, 2012 10:41 AM EST up reply actions
We like to run two TE sets
Barnidge might be that guy, but we really don’t know that for sure at this point.
I really like Jonathan Martin
I’m more open to drafting a OT with our first rounder given how hit or miss the defensive prospects seem at this point in the draft. It’s kind of a shame, but it seems like despite having a record of under clansman declaring this year, the drat doesn’t seem very top heavy. Seems like lots of prospects could go anywhere in the first round aside from the obvious ones like Blackmon, Claibourne, Kalil, Luck, and RGIII.
It might still be my homerness, but I still like Q Coples. I think people are hopping off the bandwagon to early and will be reminded just how athletic he is at the combine.
"The way y'all are lollygaggin around here with them picks and them shovels, you'd think it was 120 degrees...can't be more than 114."
by SouthernPanther on Jan 25, 2012 8:51 PM EST reply actions
i prefer reiff to martin
The guys a monster tackle. Martin… I can’t put my finger on it. I feel like he could be a really good player, just not sure that he has elite potential… I would be too disappointed if we drafted him but decastro is the better lineman. I know a guard has never been taken that high, but he could well be the best guard in the nfl at some point in his career… Isn’t that worth more than a guy who could with a little work be an nfl LT? Not saying one ways right and one ways wrong because left tackle is obviously a more important position but I think decastro is certainly worth consideration, especially if we trade back.
Save us Pilares
by LimeyPanther on Jan 25, 2012 9:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I agree re: DeCastro
Personally, I think you take the guy guaranteed to be one of the best at his position if not THE best over a guy who seems solid but needs work to be the LT you’d like.
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i really like decastro
In my perfect world we’d trade back a few spots and grab him, but it seems unlikely to me. Nevermind. Hey we’re agreeing on something! Stop the presses :)
Save us Pilares
by LimeyPanther on Jan 26, 2012 12:48 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'm pretty agreeable except when it comes to that one particular topic :)
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I agree about DeCastro...
I think drafting DeCastro is exactly what the panthers will do. He seems to be the consensus player destined to become all-pro along with Kalil. Also, remember that we drafted Kalil when our needs were much greater in other areas, due to his rare talent. It was a very similar situation. So we sort of have some history with this type pick.
"Shh! Be quiet everyone. That includes me. Shh! Who’s making that noise? Oh, it’s me again…"
by Panthster on Jan 26, 2012 4:12 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
If we're going OL with our pick then we've got to hit with it
And in that case then I’m going with DeCastro.
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I agree
If everyone is crying about taking BPA, then how could the front office skip over DeCastro. While I certainly agree getting an OT is important, having a strong OL involves guards and tackles. The only counter argument used so far is “you don’t pick guards that high in the draft.”
I’m not trying to denigrate anyone or their opinion – but that’s a pretty lame reason to look over a tremendous player.
Personally, I’ll take a monster OG over a really good OT that needs work, all day every day.
~A bullet may have your name on it...but grenades are addressed 'to whom it may be concerned...'
by boywonderncsu on Jan 26, 2012 11:18 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
I don't disagree.
But you have to maximize the value of your draft picks. You don’t not pick a guard because he’s not worth the pick, you don’t pick a guard because no one else will. Meaning you could trade down and draft the same player. I would only be in favor of drafting DeCastro if we could trade down to 13 or 14.
I like to think of myself as a one-man wolfpack.
Fair enough
I can get on board with that. I’d actually like to trade down with someone so we could get a 3rd round pick.
~A bullet may have your name on it...but grenades are addressed 'to whom it may be concerned...'
by boywonderncsu on Jan 26, 2012 10:38 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
That would be great.
Still get the player we want while recouping our third rounder.
But it will take the perfect situation. The draft will have to unfold a very particular way for us to have the option.
I like to think of myself as a one-man wolfpack.
In the pic above, he really makes Tiger look small
"You know the new iPhone? It’s faster, more powerful and smarter. It’s revolutionary. Why can’t the quarterback be like that? Why can’t you be a big, tall, fast, quick, strong, smart, mobile quarterback who’s unstoppable?"
-Cam Newton
by carolinapillpusher on Jan 26, 2012 9:45 AM EST reply actions
Well...
6’5", 310lbs makes a lot of people look small.
Follow me on Twitter at @JakeHumphrey91
by Jake Humphrey on Jan 26, 2012 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
Tiger... uppercut!
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As the coin-flip huddle broke, Tiger is quoted as saying:
For shizzle, bitches.
I like to think of myself as a one-man wolfpack.
Followed by:
I’m off to get wit some cheerleaders.
The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace
I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.
Damn straight...

The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace
I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.
lol
The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace
I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.
Just for everyones information
The highest a G was taken overall was 2nd not 17th it was in 2001 and was Leonard Davis
http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?season=2001&round=round1#round1
I think something to consider is always a late round steal. It’s easy to talk about the top prospects but look at a guy by the name of Jared veldeer drafted 3rd round and is on his way to becoming a premier LT for Oakland as well as Doug free for Dallas. I for one have never liked the idea of taking a lineman first round unless it’s a LT because he protects a qb’s blindsided. I’m hoping our scouting depart could possibly find that guy in the 3rd round or possibly later.
by blackdog2485 on Jan 27, 2012 6:48 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Did everyone forget Byron Bell was a Rookie?
I was one of the people that said that Clasuen should be replaced by another QB because he was that awful. Byron Bell was never that bad as a rookie and did well against top pass rushers without any help. The Panthers never really sent RB’s to help chip block nor did they use any lineman to help double team whomever he was blocking. He made the occasional rookie mistakes and you expect that. I think the Panthers got a steal because he was a UDFA. If you look a tape of Jordan Gross as a rookie he made some of the same mistakes. If the Panthers use a first round pick on any lineman this draft they will make some of the same mistakes. The Panthers need to draft the best DT in this draft to improve on defense. I dont wont the Panthers to be like the Colts, Saints, or Packers. They all have real good offense and no defense. Those teams only won one Super Bowl. the Panthers should want to build a Dynasty and the only way to do that is to be dominate on offense and defense. Peyton Manning has all of those stats and only one Super bowl. The same goes for Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers has a chance to win more than one if they improve their defense. If you noticed, I didnt use Tom Brady as a reference because they cheated to win all of their Supe Bowls.

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