In looking at the upcoming draft for the Panthers, I think we should trade down in the 2nd and 3rd rounds if possible to get a couple of extra picks this year, say in rounds 5,6, or 7. My thinking is that it's always better to take the best player available, and after the first round there are a lot of good players, but not that many great players. At each draft position, I can see a cluster of 5 or so picks that have NFL talent and can play and contribute to the team, and eventually become starters. So, as long as we only drop down a few spots, we can still get a good player. Here's how I see it.

2nd Round--DE Ricky Sapp-Clemson, DE Corey Wooten-Northwestern, WR Damien Williams-USC, CB Brandon Ghee-Wake Forest, and OLB Eric Norwood, S. Carolina.

3rd Round--WR Jacoby Ford-Clemson, DT Gino Atkins- Georgia, CB Javier Arenas-Alabama, TE Jimmy Graham-Miami, WR Jordan Shipley-Texas

4th Round-- S Kam Chancellor-Va. Tech, OG Mitch Petrus-Arkansas, CB SydQuan Thompson-Cal, WR Andre Roberts-Citadel, DE George Selvie-USF

6th Round-- QB Jevan Sneed-Miss, DE C.J. Wilson-E. Carolina, DT Nate Collins-Virginia, LB Daryl Sharpton-Miami, WR Danario Alexander-Missouri

7th Round--WR Seyi Ajirotutu--Fresno St., DE Clifton Geathers-S. Carolina, QB Mike Kafka-Northwestern, WR Alric Arnett-West Virginia, OG Shawn Lauvao--Arizona St.

Of course, it's alway dynamic. Some players will be gone by the time we pick, or some will be there we don't expect to be. I don't see any sure bet QB's after Bradford and Clausen, but I think Sneed and Kafka will be good values at the 6th or 7th rounds. I see WR's and DE's being pretty deep, and available in almost any round, so we don't need to panic there with early picks.

But if we can get one of each group here with existing picks and get 1 or 2 more picks in the late rounds, I think we will look back at another good draft year for Hurney and Fox.

I welcome your comments.