Pitt Panthers Football: Replacing These Former Panthers Will Be Tough

Now that some time has passed between the NFL draft and the beginning of the 2011 NCAA football season, new Pitt head coach Todd Graham will have to look to replace the five Panthers that were selected in the draft.

Pitt, which went 8-5, had as many or more players drafted than BCS champion Auburn (four), No. 4 Stanford (four), No. 5 Ohio State (five) and No. 10 Alabama (five). Among teams in the AP Top 25 final poll, only Nebraska (seven) and LSU (six) had more players picked.

As a new coach, Graham was looking to bring in his own personnel anyway, but that doesn't make the transition any easier.

Here is a look at the five toughest former Panthers that Graham will have to replace for 2011.

5. Greg Romeus

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LOUISVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 02: Adam Froman #9 of the Louisville Cardinals is sacked by Greg Romeus #91 of the Pittsburgh Panthers during the Big East Conference game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on October 2, 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by An

Romeus was selected in the seventh round by the New Orleans Saints, and while there will be an impact felt by his loss, his may be felt the least.

The loss of a veteran presence in the locker room and a defensive leader will certainly be felt, but the Panthers became accustomed to playing without the former Big East Defensive Player of the Year last season due to injury.

Pitt seems to find talented pass-rushers, and it was no different last season when Brandon Lindsey stepped in for the injured Romeus.

That and a switch of schemes on the defensive side of the ball, and the Panthers should be fine without Romeus.

4. Dion Lewis

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Dion Lewis #28 of the Pittsburgh Panthers runs with the ball during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pittsburgh won 28-10. (Photo by A

Lewis could be one of the most talented running backs that has come through Pittsburgh in recent memory, but it shouldn't be too difficult to replace the new Philadelphia Eagle.

While Lewis did put up fantastic numbers as a Panther, including a record-breaking freshman season, the Panthers backfield isn't exactly empty.

Junior Ray Graham has waited behind Lewis for two seasons and should do just fine in his new role as feature back in Todd Graham's new high-octane offense.

3. Jabaal Sheard

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Jabaal Sheard #97 of the Pittsburgh Panthers tackles Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats during the Big East Conference game against at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pittsburgh won 28-10.

Sheard was a guy that really came into his own and was only about to get better, evident by the Cleveland Browns selecting him in the second round of the NFL draft.

Sheard showed NFL scouts that he could play with his hand off the ground, something he never had to do under former Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt.

Under Graham however, Sheard could have filled a few different roles. Lindsey will fill some of those roles, but replacing a pair of bookend pass-rushers could be difficult right off the bat.

2. Jon Baldwin

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TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 2: Wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the Pittsburgh Panthers draws a pass interference penalty in the end zone against the University of South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on October 2, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by

Baldwin has all of the talent in the world and is near irreplaceable in the immediate future on the field.

Despite having a below-average season in 2010, just the threat of Baldwin being able to stretch the field had to give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares.

His attitude and work ethic were often questioned, but the Kansas City Chiefs saw enough of what Baldwin is capable of doing on a football field to draft him in the first round.

While the Panthers still have some talent returning at the wide receiver position, no one wearing a Pitt uniform this season will be able to fill Baldwin's shoes.

1. Jason Pinkston

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 26: Teammates Jason Pinkston #77 and Dion Lewis #28 of the Pittsburgh Panthers celebrates after a 19-17 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels on December 26, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty

Pinkston tops this list after being selected by the browns in the fifth round.

To be kind, the Panthers offensive line was not very good a season ago, and it's hard to fathom how it will be much better this year after losing their top two performers (Alex Karabin) on that unit.

A season ago, the Panthers had a veteran unit up front, coming off a 2009 season in which Lewis nearly ran for 1,800 yards.

Much was expected from them a season ago, but they struggled mightily from the get go. Replacing all of them is needed, but replacing Pinkston will be extremely tough in the short term.

Pitt fans could see quarterback Tino Sunseri on his back and running for his life quite often in the upcoming season.