Panthers willing to trade Jenkins

More draft picks sought
By Darin Gantt · The Herald - Updated 04/07/07 - 11:18 PM
CHARLOTTE -- All offseason, the Carolina Panthers have talked about how this offseason was going to be slow -- and it's because future ones won't. That's why they're spending carefully when at all on free agents, and considering other moves to add cheaper labor to maintain a delicate roster balance in years to come.
With defensive end Julius Peppers, wide receiver Steve Smith and tackles Jordan Gross and Travelle Wharton poised to cash in on new deals, the Panthers need to counter by adding to the lower ends of the salary scale as well. That means they need multiple draft picks to be contributors the next few years, since rookie contracts are significantly cheaper than what free agents are raking in.

Gross and Wharton will be free agents at the end of the 2007 season, while Peppers is under contract through 2008 and Smith through 2009. But Smith and Peppers are the priorities to keep, and there are no indications the team plans to do anything but pay them.

But for every pile of cash they have to throw at one of the current players, they need to add someone at a more reasonable rate.

Put simply, the goal is to add draft picks. They have seven total this year (one in each round), and are said to be looking for extra seconds and thirds in particular, since several scouts around the league have indicated there's abundant value in that range this year.

And since second-round wages top out around $1.25 million per year for four years and quickly get below $1 million a year as you get deeper in the round, that's the kind of price-control the Panthers need.

There has been talk around the league that if a specific few players aren't there when they're on the clock with the 14th overall pick, the Panthers would consider bailing out for more picks later in the draft.

That also dovetails with reports the team's shopping defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, who can be a force when properly motivated, but frustrates the team with his inconsistency and concerns them with his injury history.

Jenkins is under contract through 2009 as well, but according to several personnel sources through the league could be had for a first-day draft pick.

With Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis, the Panthers would have a perfectly fine set of interior starters, though they'd need to add depth. They currently have Jordan Carstens, Chad Lavalais and Steve Williams under contract, and they could still bring back free agent Kindal Moorehead.

• MORE CAP ROOM: The Panthers recently restructured the contract of running back DeShaun Foster, taking his base salary from $4.25 million to $750,000.

The move gives them around $1.75 million in addition cap room this year, room they can use to absorb a trade of Jenkins or make additional moves.

The Panthers are excited about their depth at running back this year, and think some changes to the offensive scheme will benefit Foster and DeAngelo Williams greatly.

Both have excellent cut-back ability, and with a new zone blocking scheme in place, there should be more potential for big plays for the two of them.

• MAKING HISTORY: With last week's addition of backup quarterback David Carr, the Panthers became the first team in eight years to own the first and second overall picks from a draft at the same time.

The last time a team had the top two was from 1997-99, when the Raiders had defensive tackle Russell Maryland and safety Eric Turner, who were the first choices in the 1991 draft.

Prior to that, there were two cases of a team owning the top two picks at the time of that year's selections.

Indianapolis held the first two in 1992 after swindling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On July 31, 1990, the Bucs traded a future first-rounder to the Colts for quarterback Chris Chandler (who was 0-6 as a starter there) and was gone before the 1992 draft commenced.

Of course, the Colts didn't exactly capitalize, taking the forgettable Steve Emtman and Quentin Coryatt with the top two picks. (The Los Angeles Rams chose Sean Gilbert with the third overall pick, and it would be six years before he'd become the Panthers' albatross.)

Prior to that, the last time a team employed the top two was in 1958. The Chicago Cardinals had the first two picks in the draft that year, their own plus a "lottery bonus pick" with which they selected Rice quarterback King Hill. Then they used the "first" pick in the draft on Texas A&M back John David Crow.

 

I read that the Panthers are in a group thought to be interested in trading up to #2 with Detroit to take Thomas, the OL from Wisconsin. I don't know all the points stuff for value of picks, but could #14 and Jenkins be sent to Detroit for #2? And I think I might be a little upset if we trade to #2 and not taking Johnson if he's available.

 

source?

 

Thomas would be another high $ guy. Article says they want to add lower round 1st day picks to play for a more managable price. It seems established that the team knows they have needs that go beyond one player. I'd be shocked if they would trade up for #2, and I'd be even more shocked if a team agreed to move down from #2 for Jenkins.

 

Jenx is damaged good too or he would not be available for trade.

 

Thanks for posting the whole article, I can't even click on a link from that site.

BTW, I don't think Jenkins is as damaged as some think. He's always had the weight problem and had to be pushed, but he never forgot how to play and he can still dominate when 100% healthy. Even if you don't think he deserved to be in the pro bowl, he played pretty damned well for a guy who was virtually out of football for 2 years and admitted himself that he didn't feel like he was 100% healthy until week 12.

Of course, if he's drinking again, that's a different story but, that and his weight are just speculation right now. I've read from more than one source that he looks fine.

Personally, I will be pissed if the Panthers settle for anything less than a high 2nd round pick if they do trade him because, unless he's back on the wagon, he's about the cheapest proven DT you could hope to have with the way FA's are getting paid right now. I think the weight part is being overblown by some fans because the only time that it really got bad was when he was injured and couldn't work out and even if he is overweight, he still has more quickness than alot of smaller guys.

 

Lions to deal down w/team eyeing Thomas? Published Sun Apr 8 800 a.m. ET 2007
(Rotoworld) The Denver Post reports the Lions will likely trade the No. 2 overall pick to a team targeting Wisconsin left tackle Joe Thomas.
Impact: Here's a new one. A few teams that need a left tackle: the Giants, Cardinals, Dolphins, Colts, Panthers, Bucs, and possibly the Texans.

After reading I think this idea is a little far fetched. None of those teams would pass up Johnson if he's available at #2, and it says "teams that need a left tackle". So, who knows where this came from.

 

and that has what to do with a player who can't pass a physical because of a bad neck?

 

Thanks for the Gannt article.

I've read alot of speculation about trade partners for Detroit. Apart from the article Mangum posted, I've never seen us mentioned. That to me is just speculation.

What I've read from people that cover the draft is more like teams in the top 5. Some think Detroit want to trade down then either take Gaines Adams, who the coach wants, or Quinn, who Millen might want. Some say Millen wants Calvin Johnson, and he should, but is afraid people will laugh if he takes another WR. Boy that's a good reason to decide who to draft.

Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates it.

 

If we did a trade for him we would have a chance to check out his neck before the trade went through.