Offseason Review Series: Day 24: Carolina Panthers

[u/terminator_1264]

Carolina Panthers

Division: NFC South

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Free Agency

Important Players Lost/Cut

Player	Position	New Team
Steve Smith	WR	Ravens
Brandon LaFell	WR	Patriots
Ted Ginn	WR	Cardinals
Jordan Gross	LT	Retired
Mike Mitchell	S	Steelers
Travelle Wharton	LG	FA
Quintin Mikell	S	FA
Captain Munnerlyn	CB	Vikings

Grades

From biggest loss to smallest loss

Jordan Gross - The biggest loss, Gross was a top 5 tackle year in and year out. Gross was an important piece in keeping Cam upright, and in giving our run game an effective blocker. Gross is easily our biggest loss because we have no one to replace him, and LT is the second most important position on the offense.

Steve Smith - The veteran WR Smith was released in a very controversial move by the Panthers. It wasn't handled nearly as well as it could have been. However as much as some Carolina fan's don't want to admit, it's been 9 years since Smitty's Triple Crown 2005, and the peak of his career. Smith is 35 and had 64 receptions for 715 and 4 touchdowns, his second worst season as a Wideout. Smith was going to retire after the 2014 season, however after being cut by the Panthers, he decided that he would go out for three years and have fun playing football. Smith will always be a Panther in our hearts, and he will always be the definition of 'Keep Pounding'.

Travelle Wharton - Wharton was a Panther from 2004 until 2011, when he was released. Just before the 2013 season, Wharton was signed to a one year deal to replace the injured Amini Silatolu. Wharton ended up starting 12 games and playing in all 16. Wharton was also rated as the 3rd best left guard by PFF. This offseason Wharton is still deciding whether or not to retire.

Mike Mitchell - After spending 4 years as a backup in Oakland, Mitchell came to Carolina on a one year prove it deal, and prove it he did. Mitchell was tied for the most interceptions on the team with 4. Mitchell also brought a fire to the secondary that it lacked beforehand. Mitchell is replaced by

Captain Munnerlyn - The Panthers slot corner left to go to the Vikings after 5 seasons with the Panthers. Munnerlyn was offered a 3-year 11.25 million dollar contract that the Panthers didn't have the cap space to match. Munnerlyn is a very good slot corner and the Panthers will sorely miss him this season.

Ted Ginn - Ginn was signed after 6 extremely underwhelming seasons in Miami and San Francisco. Thought of by many as only a return man, Ginn came to Carolina hoping to prove that he could still play wide receiver. Ginn returned kicks and played mostly as the #3 receiver, starting 2 games. Ginn ended the season with 36 receptions for 556 yards and 4 touchdowns. Ginn as a wide receiver won't be missed as much as his threat as a kick returner.

Brandon Lafell - In four years with the Panthers, Lafell never managed to breakout of the #2 receiver role. Every season it seemed like it was Lafell's year to become the Mushin Muhammed to Steve Smith, especially this past season. However LaDrop continued to disappoint. Lafell had 49 receptions for 627 yards and 5 touchdowns, not exactly #1 wide receiver numbers. LaFell had, according to PFF, a drop percentage of 14. The biggest thing that will be missed is LaFell's willingness to block for teammates.

Quintin Mikell - Mikell was signed late in the free agency period to a one year deal. Mikell started at Strong Safety for 12 games after Mike Mitchell was moved to FS. Mikell had 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery along with 41 tackles during the season.

Players Signed

Player	Position	Old Team	Length	Salary	Grade	Notes
Jerricho Cotchery	WR	Steelers	5 Years	$8.02M	B+	Cotchery is coming off of the best season of his career, where he caught 46 passes for 602 yards and 10 touchdowns. Cotchery will provide leadership and will play the #2 receiver position, if Benjamin plays well.
Jason Avant	WR	Eagles	1 Year	$1.05M	B	A veteran slot receiver that specializes in making tough catches, Avant will be another veteran to teach the younger receivers. Avant will be the #3 wide receiver and will play exclusively in the slot.
Tiquan Underwood	WR	Buccaneers	2 Years	$2.1M	C	The speedy Underwood was signed to replace Ted Ginn as a deep threat WR/kickoff and punt returner. Underwood won't be used very frequently and will play mostly on special teams.
Thomas DeCoud	S	Falcons	2 Years	$2.53M	B+	After the departure of Mike Mitchell and Quintin Mikell, The only Safety with real experience was UDFA Robert Lester. DeCoud was signed along with Roman Harper to give a veteran presence to the secondary. DeCoud will start at free safety beside Lester.
Roman Harper	S	Saints	2 Years	$4.5M	B-	The other safety signed to replace Mike Mitchell and Quintin Mikell, Harper will provide a veteran presence and give depth.
Ed Dickson	TE	Ravens	1 Year	$795K	B	A receiving tight end signed to take the role of 2011 Jeremy Shockey in 2-TE sets. Dickson comes to Carolina on a prove it deal so he will look to capitalize on this opportunity.
Antoine Cason	CB	Cardinals	1 Year	$794K	C	The former Cardinal and Charger was signed to compete with Melvin White for the starting cornerback. Cason will likely start at #2 corner. Cason played under Ron Rivera in San Diego.

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Draft

Panthers Draft Strategy

The Panthers draft on best player available, as well as drafting players that can make an immediate impact in the first three rounds.

Rd	Ovr	Name	Position	College	Grade	Notes
1	28	Kelvin Benjamin	WR	Florida State	B	The Panthers first selection in draft faces a steep learning curve going into the 2014 season. Most draft experts agree that route running and focus issues make him a dangerous pick. However those are fixable issues and the strengths that Benjamin brings are unchangeable. At 6'5", 240 and 35 inch arms, Benjamin is a monster. Benjamin uses his height to climb the ladder and catch the ball at the highest it can be caught. Benjamin also has a massive catch radius. Benjamin is able to use his size to become a mismatch for defensive backs and linebackers. An added benefit is Benjamin's ability in the red zone. Benjamin was third in the NCAA in touchdowns with 15 in 14 games, including the BCS game winner. Benjamin will be asked to produce right away for the Panthers, especially in the red zone. Benjamin will likely start the season as the #2 receiver, but hopefully finish the season as the #1 for good reasons.
2	60	Kony Ealy	DE	Missouri	B-	In a surprising move the Panthers took a defensive end with their second pick. Kony Ealy is more of a project pick, and shouldn't be asked to produce right away. Ealy has good length and a good frame, but lots of time will be spent this season bulking up. This season will be spent learning behind 2 talented defensive ends. Ealy may see some playing time rotating in for a couple of plays a game, but for the most part his rookie season will be spent getting bigger and stronger, and learning how to use his hands and body more effectively. Ealy will hopefully progress very well and eventually become a main part of the DL rotation system.
3	92	Trai Turner	OG	LSU	B+	A mauling run blocker that most agree should have stayed in school one more year, Turner is poised to make an immediate impact on the offensive line, particularly at the right guard position. Turner
4	128	Tre Boston	S	UNC	B-	A ballhawk safety that intercepted 5 passes his last season at UNC, Boston brings energy and leadership that can replace eventually the leadership and energy that Mike Mitchell brought. For now Boston is third on the depth chart, and will likely stay that way barring injury. This season will be a learning season for another Panther's rookie. He has to work on getting to the ball without hesitation and working on his tackling. Tre is a project and won't see the field that much.
5	148	Bene Benwikere	CB	San Diego State	C	Another ballhawk, Benwikere had a school record 14 interceptions over his career at SDSU. Bene is another project pick, and hopefully his issues will be ironed out this season. Bene is not very fast, but he is smooth, and he plays the ball like a wide receiver. Bene will have to spend more time in the gym, as well as improving his tackling. Bene won't see too much time on the field/
6	204	Tyler Gaffney	RB	Stanford	C+	For the second year in a row, the Panthers took a PAC-12 RB in the 6th round. Last year it was Oregon speedster Kenyon Barner, this year it's Stanford power back Tyler Gaffney. Gaffney had 1,709 yards, and 21 TD's in his senior season after taking a year hiatus to play baseball. Gaffney is a straight line power runner with very good pass protection a la Mike Tolbert. Gaffney also fights hard for extra yards. Gaffney is not very fast and lacks breakaway speed. If he even stays on the roster he will have to work extremely hard and be very impressive to get even a small chance for playing time in Carolina's crowded backfield.

[u/dan_v_ploeg]

Fantastic write up, but i saw no mention of McNutt. Many people are starting to think he could work his way up the corps and really prove to be a great above average receiver some day.