Hypothetical draft day choice

Suppose for a moment that for whatever reason (Peppers doesn't sign his tender, no takers, whatever) the Panthers do not complete a trade for a first round pick prior to this Saturday. Then, when their first pick comes up at #59, they have a choice between two players.

1) a good defensive tackle
2) a dominant offensive guard

An argument can be made for either being the better choice.

Defensiive Tackle:

- defensive line is clearly the biggest "need" position on the team
- the DL lineup is still in flux with the future of Julius Peppers in doubt
- the Panthers starting DTs (Kemo and Lewis) might be better suited for rotation
- the already good offensive line is returning all five starters from last season

Offensive Guard:

- offensive line depth, a key part of last season's success, took a hit this offseason
- while Keydrick Vincent is good, he's not the strongest, and not "dominant"
- it's expected that Vincent will be healthy, but he's had injury issues before
- the Panthers will be facing a Murderer's Row of opposing DTs this season

Granted, the defense has bigger issues at the moment, but adding a top level guard to an already good young unit could set the team up with one of the best offensive lines in the entire league for years to come. The effect that this could have on both the running and passing games can't be overstated, and having a dominant offense can be win games even if the defense is only respectable at best.

With all this in mind, assume for a minute that the best available defensive tackle at the #59 spot is a red chip "solid player" type while the best guard available is potentially a blue chip "elite level" sort of guy.

What do you choose: The guard to make the O-line dominant, or the DT to make the D-Line competent? Do you fill the greater need for right now, or add the better player for the long term?

(feel free to substitute DE for FT if you prefer; same conditions apply)

 

Excellent question

We go for the O-lineman! no doubt....we're known for selecting the "best player available" (Kalil,Connor) this would be a prime example.

ex: Sen'Derrick Marks or Kraig Urbik or Herman Johnson?

 

If you go by this...

McShay's Seven Round Mock

...there could be some interesting choices (and/or dilemmas).

 

This was my list....in no order, really.

English
Hood
Loadholt
Meredith
Robinson
Beatty
Sidbury
Maola
Brace
Magee
Kruger
Gilbert
Urbik
Marks

 

interesting ideal.
I think we have enough dominant OL. We need depth, really. We have to have something that can impact on the DL.

to poach the idea - a good DT versus a very good CB?

 

I think we have to go BPA - at 59, there should be someone who can make an immediate impact at RG or DT, whether it's starting at RG or in rotation at DT, or as a nickle / dime CB.

That said, there's a fair shake of veteran depth in FA.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Features/Free+Agency/2009/falist2401.htm

Another thing - there's no certainty that whoever we draft will be an upgrade to our current depth on OL. Schwartz and Bernadeau may have been late picks, but they were picks, they were retained, and they have a year in the league. I get a bit tired of hearing about how we need to draft depth at these spots b/c our young guys aren't ready. How do we know they're not ready? How do we know a rookie picked higher will be any more ready? Same goes with CJ Wilson.

I know what I get out of the plethora of UFA OL, DL, and CB. No reason to reach for those b/c they're areas of need. It feels different to draft for need starting at 59, too. Seems like BPA will serve us best.

 

Speaking of DT depth - this dude played for Meeks -

http://www.nfl.com/players/joshthomas/profile?id=THO264454

 

running back

 

looks like a solid backup.
We need someone with a lot of growth potential, though.

 

Agree. But no reason to reach for that guy. Get the best guy, with the most growth potential, and fill spots with guys like Thomas, Jeremy Bridges, Vincent, or whoever becomes this year's ricardo Colclough or terrence holt.

We lack depth - agreed - but we've signed NOBODY, and people are out there.

After thinking about it all, I'm less concerned than I had been.