2011 NFL Draft: Carolina Panthers' Pros and Cons of All 7 Possibilities
The 2011 NFL draft is approaching rapidly and all NFL teams are diving further and further into their analysis of each player. There is no team that is under more pressure to analyze each of these players, than the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers hold the first overall selection in April's draft and will be looking to secure the player they think is best equipped to help their team immediately.
Mel Kiper has the Panthers selection Blaine Gabbert, Todd McShay has the Panthers selecting Marcell Dareus, while Adam Schefter is reporting that Cam Newton is in the lead for the top pick.
At this point, no one really has any idea who the Panthers will select. At this time last year, it appeared that Sam Bradford was taking charge and hitting the top spot on most mock drafts, however, this year, no prospect has taken command of that spot.
Seven players remain in the running for the first overall pick, and here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of each of those players.
Matt Faulconer is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist for the NFL and the Washington Redskins. He has served as an intern for the site as well. He also contributes his writings on the North Carolina Tar Heels to the fan site, TarHeelCoalition.com. He has had articles featured on partner sites such as Philly.com (The Philadelphia Inquirer).
You can reach Matt Faulconer by e-mail at matt.faulconer.br@gmail.com with any questions and concerns.
Da'Quan Bowers (DE, Clemson)
1 of 14
Pros:
During his junior season at Clemson, Bowers was the best pass rusher in the country. He totaled 15.5 sacks during the season, and was constantly fighting off double teams to get to the quarterback.
Bowers shows a lot of upper-body strength, which should translate well to stopping the run at the NFL level, as he can use that strength to shed multiple blockers. He has very good side to side speed, and his closing speed is remarkable.
He has the ability to run down both quarterbacks and running backs, and does not let many get out of his grasp.
Any team that needs help rushing the passer is certainly licking their chops to get their hands on Bowers. He certainly has the ability to become an elite pass-rusher at the NFL level and working with an NFL strength and conditioning coach should only help him to become stronger and faster.
Da'Quan Bowers (DE, Clemson)
2 of 14
Cons:
The biggest concern with Bowers is his injury history. Bowers spent part of his sophomore season riding the pine due to an ankle injury.
Currently, Bowers has been suffering from a knee injury, that has been a major topic of discussion since the combine. Peter King reported that Bowers failed two physicals at the combine, and his agent has previously stated that Bowers injury was being blown way out of proportion.
The concerns over Bowers' injury could be settled at his pro-day workout, or they could be heightened, it all depends on what happens.
On the playing field, Bowers relies a lot on his sheer strength to push offensive lineman out of the way at the college level. He is not as quick off the line as other elite pass rushers, like Michael Strahan were, however, this is something that NFL coaches should be able to work on with him.
Nick Fairley (DT/DE, Auburn)
3 of 14
Pros:
Nick Fairley had an explosive junior season at Auburn, as he helped lead the defense en route to a National Championship.
Fairley reacts much quicker on the snap than Bowers does, but does not possess as much strength. He is surprisingly fast and agile for someone that stands at 6'4" and weighs nearly 300 pounds.
The biggest positive for Fairley could be his versatility. He will be able to play in pretty much every scheme and should do well as both a DT in a 4-3, or a DE in a 3-4.
He is shifty and shoots the gaps very well, and certainly has a knack for finding the quarterback.
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Nick Fairley (DT/DE, Auburn)
4 of 14
Cons:
Nick Fairley is kind of like Sisqo, the R&B singer that performed "The Thong Song." Fairley was an absolute monster this past season, but is somewhat of a one-hit wonder, as his previous season was far less than spectacular.
Sisqo was great as the lead singer of Dru Hill, but needless to say a one-hit wonder as a solo artist. This is very similar to Nick Fairley, who was a great player in one season, as a member of the best team in the country. However, how will Nick Fairley do against NFL competition, and will he be able to continue to perform like he did last season when NFL teams are focusing on him?
Another major knock on Fairley is that he takes plays off. If that is true, it will show up on tape and scouts will certainly take notice. This goes hand in hand with a poor work ethic and that will not be tolerated at the NFL level, especially by a coach like Ron Rivera.
Fairley will also need some time working with NFL strength and conditioning coaches, not only to get in top shape, but to work on his upper and lower body strength, as that will be essential to his success in the NFL.
Robert Quinn (DE/OLB, North Carolina)
5 of 14
Pros:
Quinn, like Fairley, is more versatile than Bowers, as he should be able to play both the 4-3 and the 3-4 schemes effectively.
Quinn had six sacks in his freshman year, and 11 sacks in his sophomore season at North Carolina. Those numbers quickly got him recognized nationally, and he was regarded as one of the elite pass rushers at the college level.
He has a rare combination of size and speed, which makes him a very tempting pick. His talent is still raw, as he has not had the time to completely develop all of his skills.
One of the more telling things about Quinn was that he was diagnosed with a brain tumor during his senior year of high school, and was told he may never be able to play football again. Well, those doctors were wrong, and while it may not tell much about his ability on the field, it does say a lot about his toughness and his willingness to never give up.
Robert Quinn (DE/OLB, North Carolina)
6 of 14
Cons:
The biggest knock on Quinn athletically is that he is still a raw talent, and is not well-polished.
However, most of the concern over Quinn lie in that he has not played a competitive game of football in over a year due to his suspension.
A player's character will always be drawn into question when he is suspended by the NCAA. Quinn was suspended for accepting and lying about gifts he received. The concern for NFL teams lies in his selfishness for both accepting, and lying about those gifts. Had he been honest, maybe his teammates would have had the chance to use him this past season.
However, NFL teams should not take too much stock in a 20-year old kid accepting a gift, something that he will be able to do freely at the NFL level.
While listed on the pros side, Quinn's brain tumor could also be a concern to NFL teams. While Quinn's recovery from a brain tumor is very uplifting, it could definitely be labeled a cause for concern. It is a sad situation for Quinn, but it is unfortunately a realistic one, as the tumor is still present in his brain. For Quinn's sake, everyone hopes that the tumor is never a problem for him again, however, it still may find a way to deter some NFL teams away.
Patrick Peterson (CB, LSU)
7 of 14
Pros:
Peterson was an absolute monster during his time at LSU. He played against elite talent every week, and shut down elite talent every week.
Not only is Peterson considered to be a shut-down corner, he has the ability to line up at safety, and can be a very effective return man in the NFL. His versatility will certainly make him much more appealing to Ron Rivera, as he likes to show different looks on the defensive side of the ball.
He is one of the fastest players entering the draft, and there is no denying that he has all the tools needed to be successful at the NFL level.
Patrick Peterson (CB, LSU)
8 of 14
Cons:
There are not many glaring weaknesses to point out when it comes to Patrick Peterson. However, one attribute that stands out is his desire to always want to make the big play.
Making the big play is a great thing to get out of a defense, however, if a corner misses, it is likely a big play for the other team.
One cornerback that comes to mind is DeAngelo Hall. While they are completely different types of players, Hall is always looking to make the big play. Fans either love Hall or hate him, as he is either getting burned (by Michael Vick on Monday Night last season), or creating turnovers (recording four interceptions on Jay Cutler).
Peterson needs to find a happy median and not become too much of a ball-hawk, as the elite corners in the NFL these days don't always have to create turnovers (i.e. Darrelle Revis, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Champ Bailey).
Marcell Dareus (DT, Alabama)
9 of 14
Pros:
Marcell Dareus is one of the best run stopping DTs in the draft. He has the ability to fight off blocks, and does a solid job of bringing down runners. On the flip side, Dareus is also one of the best at rushing the passer, making him the most well-rounded DT in the draft.
Dareus is not as athletic as Fairley, but is a very consistent player, who seems to work hard play after play. He has solid speed for his size, running a sub-5.0 40-time, while weighing in at over 310 pounds.
The biggest positive on Dareus' game is that teams know what they are getting, as he his play was very consistent over the past two seasons at Alabama. As a sophomore, he was one of the key pieces in their defensive line rotation, and was an effective situational pass rusher.
In 2010, he fine-tuned his game, and helped to secure himself a high draft choice. With Dareus, consistency is the key, as he performed well in nearly every game he played this season, and has proven himself to be one of the hardest working players entering the draft.
Marcell Dareus (DT, Alabama)
10 of 14
Cons:
While knowing what teams are getting out of a player is a good thing when looking at "their floor," it could show flaws in their potential.
Dareus does not have the ceiling or the potential of the players that could be taken after him in Bowers and Fairley.
His feet are not quite as quick as either of those players, and relies more on his technique, which could be stopped by premier offensive linemen.
Dareus is still versatile and could be used in both the 3-4 and the 4-3, but will primarily be used as an interior pass rusher at the NFL level.
Blaine Gabbert (QB, Missouri)
11 of 14
Pros:
Gabbert is considered to be the safest selection among all of the quarterbacks eligible in this year's draft. His best attribute is his accuracy on short yardage passes and throwing between the hash marks.
While he does not have the strongest arm, he has a solid arm and is able to thread the needle when he needs to, for example, hitting receivers on timing routes between the cover-two.
Gabbert is very accurate when throwing on the run, and showed throughout his time at Missouri that he is more than capable outside the pocket. He does a good job of avoiding the rush, and excels at buying time in the pocket.
He has the character that most teams look for in a franchise quarterback, and showed great leadership abilities during his time at Missouri.
Blaine Gabbert (QB, Missouri)
12 of 14
Cons:
Gabbert played a spread offense in college, which may require him to take time to master a pro-style offense. He relied on making quick reads in college, and did not have to go through his progressions on a regular basis.
Gabbert's accuracy has been questioned outside the hash marks and down the field, as he completed only 30 percent of his passes on throws attempted more than 50 yards downfield.
Another concern with Gabbert is that he didn't put up big numbers in college. Most quarterbacks coming out of the spread offense are expected to put up bigger numbers.
For example, Chase Daniels played in the same offense and threw for 38 touchdowns in his last season at Missouri. Gabbert, on the other hand, only threw 16 touchdowns.
Cam Newton (QB, Auburn)
13 of 14
Pros:
Cam Newton has one of the biggest arms in the draft, behind only Ryan Mallett. He has an absolute cannon for an arm and has the arm strength to make pretty much every throw on the field.
Newton is very accurate when it comes to throwing the deep ball. He has the ability to complete passes of more than 50 yard without much of a problem.
His biggest strength is his mobility and ability to keep plays alive. Not only is Newton mobile, he is also a very strong runner. He has Ben Roethlisberger's strength combined with Michael Vick's elusiveness.
Newton is a very accurate passer on the run, and uses his downfield vision when eluding pass rushers. At 6'5" and 250 pounds, Cam Newton possesses the height needed to see over defenders, and the pure strength needed to fight off tacklers in the backfield.
For a team that does not have the best offensive line, he will certainly hide those flaws with his elusiveness.
Newton's best attribute may be his potential. He has the potential to be a star in the NFL, if he can learn a pro-style offense, and if he can learn to utilize his skill set to benefit him at the NFL level.
Cam Newton (QB, Auburn)
14 of 14
Cons:
Newton certainly has more flaws than Gabbert, thus the reason Gabbert is considered by many to be the safer pick.
Newton, like Gabbert, played in a spread offense. However, Newton on many instances, made one read and then took off running.
He did not have to deal with as many blitz packages, as players like Ryan Mallett and Blaine Gabbert, due to the fact that teams were concerned about his mobility.
Like Gabbert, Newton's accuracy has also been brought into question. Newton struggles with many of the intermediate throws, and relies too much on his arm strength instead of solid mechanics.
Newton will need work with his mechanics in order to make it in the NFL game. He spent most of his time in college playing out of the shotgun, and has not shown that he is completely comfortable under center.
The biggest issue with Newton entering the draft has to do with his character. Everyone is aware of Newton's off the field concerns, including being arrested while at Florida, and the allegations of his father participating in a pay-to-play scheme.
Teams, including the Carolina Panthers, will need to do their research on Newton, and be sure they feel comfortable with the quarterback before making him their franchise player.
However, even with all the concerns, Newton is likely the top prospect available, and may be worthy of the first overall selection.
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