2011 NFL Draft Rewind: What Carolina Should've Done with Each Selection

Maybe I'm just picky.

Or, maybe I'm just a sucker for big names and taking the best available player when it comes to the NFL draft.

Maybe I'll never be satisfied with the selections the Carolina Panthers make.

However, I'm usually excited about more than one or two players in the class, but this season, I walked away from the NFL draft disappointed in the players Carolina selected.

Many of the players Carolina selected would have been available in later rounds, while better players at the position were still available. Even though Carolina selected at least one player at each of their needs, none of them are anything to get excited about—aside first overall pick Cam Newton.

Without a second-round pick, Carolina's options were limited as to whom they could draft. Although, with having the first selection in each round, you'd think the Panthers would come out with the best class in the league.

To show my dissapointment, I went through every round and made a "rewind draft," giving my picks to who Carolina should have selected at each of their picks.

Round One, Pick One

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell greets Carolina Panthers #1 overall pick Cam Newton from the Auburn during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Carolina Selected: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

Carolina Should've Selected: Cam Newton, QB Auburn

Carolina made the right choice in selecting Cam Newton with the first overall pick.

In one of the most debated NFL drafts in years, I am fully committed to the selection the Carolina Panthers made in Newton.

Newton is perfect for what Carolina needs, as he will bring mobility to the position, leadership, passion for the game and most importantly, winning.

Round Three, Pick One

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29: Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson #86 South Team scores a touchdwon against the North Team during the second quarter of the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gar

Carolina Selected: Terrell McClain, DT, South Florida

Carolina Should've Selected: Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami

Carolina is in need of a defensive tackle, so there is no doubt that this selection would be risky. However, is the player Carolina takes over a defensive tackle worth the risk? Yes.

Leonard Hankerson comes from a college that has produced some great receivers, for example, Michael Irvin.

With it more likely that long-time Panther Steve Smith will not return next season, Carolina needs to add more talent to their receiving corps for franchise-quarterback Cam Newton to throw to.

Hankerson doesn't have the speed and explosion that Smith once brought to this franchise. However, he is compared more to the other Steve Smith on the New York Giants, which is nothing to complain about.

Carolina may not be able to compete with LaFell and Gettis as their top receivers, so adding Hankerson would give this team multiple threats for Newton to throw to.

Round Three, Pick 33

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IOWA CITY, IA - NOVEMBER 20: Tailback Dan Herron #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes scrambles for yards past defensive end Christian Ballard $46 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half of play at Kinnick Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Iowa

Carolina Selected: Sione Fue, DT, Stanford

Carolina Should've Selected: Christian Ballard, DL, Iowa

It was hard for me to believe that Ballard was on the board this long; it was harder to believe that Carolina passed on him.

I believe his is better then their third-round selection, Terrell McClain, as Ballard was often shadowed by first-round pick Adrian Clayborn.

Ballard can play any position along the line, and while he may not be as massive as Carolina would like, he will get the job done. There was no doubt that Ballard was the best player on the board at this time, and he is an obvious steal this late into the draft.

Round Four, Pick One

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ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 21: Clint Boling #60 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on November 21, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Carolina Selected: Brandon Hogan, DB, West Virginia

Carolina Should've Selected: Clint Boling, OL, Georgia

Like Ballard, I was surprised that teams let Boling fall this far, as I believe he can come in and start from day one.

In the fourth round, if you can find a player who can play from day one, you take him.

Carolina's offensive line struggled last season, especially at guard, where they swapped between Geoff Schwartz and Mackenzy Bernadeau.

With the return of Jeff Otah and the addition of Clint Boling along this offensive line, this could easily be the best in the league.

Round Five, Pick One

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GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 04: Ahmad Black #35 and Justin Trattou #94 of the Florida Gators celebrate after an interception against the Miami University RedHawks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Gr

Carolina Selected: Kealoha Pilares, WR, Hawaii

Carolina Should've Selected: Ahmad Black, DB, Florida

Mike Mayock and I may be the only two people in the world that shared the same opinion on Black.

He's undersized and not the fastest guy on the field, which immediately brings down his stock.

However, I ranked him as the top safety in the league, as he is great against the run and coverage. With his size, I have him transitioning to a cornerback in the NFL, where Carolina needs help.

Round Six, Pick One

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Greg Jones #53 of the Michigan State Spartans awaits the start of play against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

Carolina Selected: Lawrence Wilson, LB, Connecticut

Carolina Should've Selected: Greg Jones, LB, Michigan State

While I was excited for the selection of Wilson, it was still disappointing with the value of other linebackers still on the board.

With Greg Jones and Quan Sturdivant still available, Carolina should've gone a different way.

Greg Jones, in my opinion, is a underrated linebacker who deserved to be selected in earlier rounds. He makes a lot of tackles and is very versatile after playing at inside and outside linebacker, giving Carolina depth everywhere at the linebacker position and on special teams.

Round Six, Pick 38

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 04: Ian Williams #95 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish encourages the crowd during a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 4, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Purdue 23-12. (Photo

Carolina Selected: Zach WIlliams, OL, Washington State

Carolina Should've Selected: Ian Williams, DT, Notre Dame

Maybe every team, like Carolina, got mixed up with which Williams' they wanted, but I believe he deserved to be drafted in the middle rounds or even selected at all.

Williams is nothing to jump out of your seat over.

He's not fast, tall or big by any means, but he brings a nose tackle to Carolina's rotation, giving them the run stuffer they missed on last season.

Round Seven, Pick 41

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 04: Mark Herzlich #94 of the Boston College Eagles blocks Erik Walker #83 of the Weber State Wildcats on September 4, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Boston College defeated Weber State 38-20. (Photo

Carolina Selected: Lee Ziemba, OT, Auburn

Carolina Should've Selected: Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College

If you haven't heard the story of Mark Herzlich, you really need to check it out.

Maybe I'm just a sucker for an inspiring story of a player's journey to the NFL, but I feel like Herzlich could be a star from day one in the NFL.

A projected top 10 pick in 2009, Herzlich decided to stay in school, only later to find out he had bone cancer and would have to sit out the entire season. After returning in 2010, he didn't play at the level he once did.

The cancer is healed, but still no team took a chance on him in the draft.

With linebackers Thomas Davis and James Anderson becoming free agents after the labor deal, Carolina may be looking for linebacker help, and Rivera would fall in love with Herzlich's passion for the game.