NFL News and Rumors: 10 Draft Targets for the Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers only won two games last season and need to amass a lot of talent throughout the 2011 NFL Draft. I will let you know which players the Panthers should target and who can rebuild this Carolina franchise.

I want to make it clear that these aren't necessarily the players that are most likely to get drafted by Carolina, but instead players that I think the team should target.

Let me know your thoughts and opinions, regardless of whether they are good or bad.

Da'Quan Bowers, Defensive End (Clemson)

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

It cannot be understated how much production the Carolina Panthers lost when defensive end Julius Peppers moved on to play for the Chicago Bears.

Bowers may not immediately make the same type of impact that Peppers did, but the defensive lineman out of Clemson has potential that is comparable to that of the former Panther great.

He can play either defensive end or even some defensive tackle and is a fierce pass rusher, as evidenced by the 16 sacks that he accumulated last season. Carolina desperately needs to establish a pass rush and Bowers is a disruptive force on the defensive line that could contribute for a long time.

Lance Kendricks, Tight End (Wisconsin)

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MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: Lance Kendricks #84 of the Wisconsin Badgers catches a pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Arizona State 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Da

Jeff King was serviceable for the Panthers last season at tight end, but the team could definitely afford to bring in a solid rookie to compete at this position.

Lance Kendricks has size and was a proven contributor at Wisconsin. In fact, as a Badger, Kendricks was often one of the focal targets for quarterback Scott Tolzien.

Lance is likely a third-round pick and would be a great option for whoever steps in as the starting quarterback for the Panthers next season. I know that Carolina already has some depth at tight end, but Kendricks could add a whole new dimension to the position.

Andy Dalton, Quarterback (TCU)

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates with the Rose Bowl Championship Trophy after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers 21-19 in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by

Jimmy Clausen didn’t look like the longer answer for Carolina at quarterback, throwing just three touchdown passes and nine interceptions in his first season under center for Carolina. I’m not advocating that the franchise give up on Jimmy just yet, but it would be nice to add another signal caller to challenge Clausen and add depth at QB.

The 6’3", 220 lb Dalton threw 71 touchdown passes during his time at TCU and was a proven winner in college. Andy will be on the board in the second round or possibly later and could prove to be a high value pick. Competition breeds success and regardless of whether Dalton wins the job, his presence would help the quarterback situation.

Jake Rogers, Kicker (Cincinnati)

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CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 28: Kicker John Kasey #4 of the Carolina Panthers watches his field goal during their preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Bank of America Stadium on August 28, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mary Ann Chastai

John Kasay is an effective kicker, but he is aging and the Panthers might want to seek out a younger replacement for the aging veteran.

Rogers went 11-14 last season with a long of 49 yards. Jake has an ample amount of power to go with good accuracy and was a reliable kicker for Cincinnati during his time with the Bearcats.

Special teams doesn’t always register home as a position of need, but Kasay is at the tail end of his career and it might be time to get younger at place kicker for Carolina.

Jerrel Jernigan, Wide Receiver (Troy)

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 18: Jerrel Jernigan #3 of the Troy University Trojans scores a touchdown over Donovan Fletcher #29 of the Ohio University Bobcats during the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on December 18, 2010 in New O

The Panthers have had success with smaller speed wide receivers such as Steve Smith, and Jernigan is a similar prospect who could be picked up in the third round.

Jernigan excels as a kick/punt returner, but also has the speed to be effective in a number of different situations offensively. Jerrel is an explosive athlete that could spice up a Carolina Panther’s offense that lacked big play ability last season.

Jernigan will be available in the middle rounds and he has great value here for Carolina. The Panthers can immediately put him in on special teams, while also working him into the wide receiving core.

John Graves, Defensive Tackle (Virginia Tech)

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 13: Teammates John Graves #91 and Steven Friday #82 of the Virginia Tech Hokies sack T.J. Yates #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo

Graves only had three sacks during his time at Virginia Tech, but at 6’3", 278 lbs, there is still reason to get excited about this massive defensive lineman.

Graves will be available in the middle rounds, and he could bolster Carolina’s defensive line and is a good prospect for the future. The emphasis is on getting pressure on the quarterback and stopping the run, which Graves could help Carolina with next season. The only question will be, how fast can Graves make the transition to the NFL?

Kelvin Sheppard, Linebacker (LSU)

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Eric Reid #1 and Kelvin Sheppard #11 of the Louisiana State University Tigers celebrate after an interception during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Ar

Carolina was atrocious defending the run last season, so one of the focuses is definitely on shoring up the rushing defenses.

Sheppard recorded 118 tackles last season as a senior for LSU, and also forced two fumbles. The linebacker out of LSU was constantly swarming to the ball and that is something to like if you are Carolina. Kelvin is projected as a fourth-round pick and he would definitely be a great value pickup at this point in the draft for Carolina.

Sheppard plays the inside linebacker position and could ultimately become one of the young contributors on a Panthers defense that appears to be headed for an overhaul.

Niles Paul, Wide Receiver (Nebraska)

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 13: Niles Paul #24 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers finishes off a reception against the Kansas Jayhawks during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska Defeated Kansas 20-3. (Photo by Eric Franc

Paul is similar to Jerrel Jernigan in that he can fill a lot different needs on the football field and can also make an impact on special teams.

Niles had 516 receiving yards and caught one touchdown last year for the Huskers, so his rather small production is somewhat concerning.

Even if Paul doesn’t work out at wide receiver, he can still help the Panthers out in specialty situations and on special teams. Niles is projected to go in either the fifth of sixth round of the draft, so the team can wait for him before feeling tempted to pull the trigger.

Ross Homan, Linebacker (Ohio State)

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Knile Davis #7 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball in the first half against Ross Homan #51 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisi

Homan had a successful career as a Buckeye, notching 288 career tackles, yet the linebacker is considered a more late-round prospect, which may work out perfectly for Carolina.

Ross is undersized at 6’0", 227 lbs, but his production in college cannot be denied. Homan had seven career interceptions and like Andy Dalton, winning was a habit for Mr. Homan. The linebacker is flawed, of course, and has been critiqued for having bad technique, but surely he can be coached up.

There is a trend in these picks and it revolves around the front seven of the Panthers defense. Homan could add punch to the beleaguered defense as a late-round selection, which could pay big dividends long term.

Shaun Draughn, Running Back (North Carolina)

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 27: Shaun Draughn #20 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dives with the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the Meineke Car Care Bowl on December 27, 2008 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Pho

Deangelo Williams has battled injuries, and it appears that the one-two punch of Stewart and Williams might not be what it used to be.

Draughn had moderate success at North Carolina as a senior, rushing for 637 yards and six touchdowns, and will likely be around in the final round. The running back also showed the ability to catch passes out of the backfield during his time in college with the Tar Heels. Shaun can be used in the backfield with Williams and Stewart and could play a third down type of role early in his career.

Obviously, anytime you get into the seventh round, things get uncertain, but Draughn has the potential to help here this late in the draft.