Without First-Round Pick, Panthers Still Put Together Outstanding Day Two

Coming into the draft, the Carolina Panthers weren't expected to make a lot of noise.

Boy, were we all wrong.

Carolina had to wait until day two of the draft to make their first pick. At number 48, no one would have expected them to come out with projected top-10 quarterback Jimmy Clausen without trading up. 

The 6'3", 222 lbs. quarterback out of Notre Dame is a perfect fit for the Panthers. He worked in a pro-style offense, which was taught by Charlie Weis (the offensive coordinator for New England who helped produce the player Tom Brady has become).

Clausen also comes into a situation with a Carolina team that released longtime-starter Jake Delhomme, who handed the starting job off to Matt Moore.

If Moore doesn't work out or gets injured, Clausen will have his time to shine. 

Clausen also worked with receiver Golden Tate at Notre Dame, a player who has often been compared to the Panthers' Steve Smith. Carolina's run-first gameplan should also benefit Clausen.

With their second pick in the draft, Carolina took LSU receiver Brandon LaFell at number 78.

LaFell is another outstanding pick with a lot of upside for the Panthers, who are in desperate need for depth at the receiver position. His tall frame (6'2", 211 lbs.) will be perfect alongside Steve Smith.

Smith told reporters that he doesn't want to be a No. 1 receiver anymore, and he is ready for a young guy to take his place when he's ready to retire.

Carolina's final pick of the day was a pick that was traded to New England for 2011's second-round pick, acquiring the number 89 pick to select App State's Armanti Edwards.

Edwards is a tweener, although he had a successful career as a quarterback for the Mountaineers.

He is an extremely gifted athlete, as he will transition between a receiver, running back, and kick returner for the Panthers. 

Overall, I give the Panthers an A+ on their first day of drafting. They were able to pick up a lot of weapons for their struggling offense.