Panthers Draft Day 2 Wrap-up

Here’s a recap of the Panthers Day 2 draft picks.

Let’s look at each pick and the linked write-up.

3rd Round - Charles Godfrey CB 6'0" 207 Iowa Pick Analysis: The Panthers get good value with Godfrey in the third round. He's a little thick in the upper body which makes it harder to have the quick reaction necessary at corner, but he could fit well as a cover-two corner or safety in the NFL. He's an excellent tackler, but can get beaten in pass coverage.

The word is this guy projects to free safety so if that holds true then this is a great pick in terms of both value and need.

3rd Round - Dan Connor OLB 6'3" 233 Penn State Pick Analysis: Connor has been compared to Dan Morgan and is a great value at this spot in the draft. He needs to work on his pass coverage and at his size could struggle to play on all the downs and distances. He had over 400 tackles in college, can call the defense and play strong-side or middle linebacker. One of the smartest players in the draft and had excellent production in college.

This is a classic Panthers value pick. The Panthers are already deep at linebacker but Conner was too good to pass up. I can’t believe he fell this far but wow, how good will the Panthers be at linebacker next season? NFL Network is predicting the Panthers will move Jon Beason to the weak-side and Conner will start in the middle. I’m not sure how the line-up will shake out but regardless  the Panthers will be very deep at linebacker.

5th Round - Gary Barnidge TE 6'6" 243 Louisville Pick Analysis: Barnidge had excellent college production - 108 receptions, 17 TDs and almost 14 yards per catch. He gets in and out of breaks well and has the ability to change direction. He caught passes from Brian Brohm at Louisville and it's a little surprising he fell this far.

This is the third straight year the Panthers have chased a TE in the later rounds. On first blush it suggests that the Panthers may not too enamored either of their prior TE picks Jeff King or Dante Rosario. It could be that Barnidge may provide the red zone threat the Panthers haven’t had since Wesley Walls. He certainly has the size and experience (17 TD’s).

6th Round - Nick Hayden DT 6'4" 291 Wisconsin Pick Analysis: The Panthers came into the draft wanting to address their defensive line. They didn't do it until taking Hayden in the sixth round. Hayden comes with experience, having started for four years at Wisconsin. His greatest strength is his strength; he had 34 reps on the bench at the combine. Known as a run stuffer, he will need to improve on his consistency and technique.

Hayden looks like a strong guy who has some big shoes to fill if he’s our replacement for Kris Jenkins. I was very disappointed we didn’t get a DT earlier but better late than never. Hopefully this guy will be the pleasant surprise of the later rounds.

7th Round - Hilee Taylor OLB 6'3" 242 North Carolina Pick Analysis: A defensive end who projects to an outside linebacker in the pros. A three-year starter at North Carolina who will likely start out on special teams.

Another linebacker who is appropriately labeled a special teams player. I hope he’s an animal on kick coverage.

7th Round - Geoff Schwartz OL 6'7" 335 Oregon Pick Analysis: Schwartz probably projects as more of a guard than a tackle. He has good strength but lacks speed and quickness. For a Panthers line thin on depth, he will be provided ample opportunity for growth.

I was pretty sure the Panthers would get some depth for the offensive line and they didn’t disappoint. Schwartz has the size the Panthers covet and provides some needed depth at tackle or guard.

Mackenzy Bernadeau OG 6'4" 298 Bentley Pick Analysis: Bernadeau worked out at Boston College's Pro Day and got a great deal of exposure there. He had a decent workout and projects to be a guard. He might be valuable on kickoff and punt return coverage.

This guy will have a hard time sticking unless he can play special teams.

For all the mock draft analysis, the review of the scouting combine and keeping up with Pro Day travels I still didn’t get a single player correct in my predictions. Feel free to give me crap but I’m sure it won’t stop me from trying again next year.