Carolina Panthers Draft Report and Grade

Carolina Panthers selections:

1st round (1): Cam Newton QB, Auburn

3rd round (65): Terrell McClain DT, South Florida

3rd round (97): Sione Fua DT, Stanford

4th round (98): Brandon Hogan CB, West Virginia

5th round (132): Kealoha Pilares WR, Hawaii

6th round: (166): Lawrence Wilson LB, Conneticut

6th round (203): Zachary Williams OT, Washington State                   

7th round (244): Lee Ziemba OL, Auburn

Impact Player: Terrell McClain DT, South Florida

I would put Cam Newton here because It is likely the Panthers will start him from Week 1 and on. If they make the right decision and keep Newton on the sideline to really develop, then I think McClain will be the impact player. The Panthers had big needs on the interior defensive line, and McClain gives them that. A powerful DT out of South Florida, McClain is a strong powerful player who has the toughness that can help lead a defense. he is a talented player and one that will give the Panthers the strong interior lineman their defense needed.

Pick for the Future: Cam Newton QB, Auburn

-I for one am not sold on Cam Newton as an NFL QB. He had one great season as a QB in a spread offense, and besides that he has no other experience. He has the size and tools to be a great QB, but as history has shown that does not mean success. However, I think if a team keeps him off the field and ahs him focus on refining his skills as a passer, and improving his decision making and accuracy, then he can be a star. As long as the Panthers really take their time with Newton, he should turn out just fine.

Questionable pick: Kealoha Pilares WR, Hawaii

-This pick does not make much sense to me even for a team that needs Wide Receivers. Pilares is a small receiver at 5'10, he doesn't have great speed and he also isn't a vertical threat. While he does show good route running skills and can play the slot. I had him as a 7th round WR, just because I don't think he will ever make it as a WR. Time will tell, but I think this was a waste of a pick.

You Heard it from the Fans: bankcity on Cam Newton

"Most people try to say they aren't worried about Cam Newton when their team plays us but it doesn't matter because I guarantee their teams defensive coordinator will try to keep I'm contained in the pocket"

Draft Grade: C
-This draft could turn into either a huge turnaround for the franchise and set them up for future playoff runs, or this could very easily set them back even more then they are now. Newton is very talented but also raw and needs to be given time before he should see the field. The Panthers did address the interior offensive line with the additions of McClain and Fua. The rest of the draft I am a little sketchy over, although the Zachary Williams pick does interest me because of his toughness and his tenacity. Not a great draft especially considering they gave up the 2011 2nd for Armanti Edwards