Carolina Panthers

Overview

After a disastrous start that saw the Panthers lose their first three games they managed to rally to a respectable 8-8 record.  Jake Delhomme struggled with consistency before succumbing to a broken finger on his throwing hand and sitting out the last five games of the year.  The Panthers closed the season going 4-1 under backup quarterback Matt Moore.  The Panthers traded their 2010 first round selection for the chance to draft Everette Brown in the second round of the 2009 draft.  Without a first round the selection the Panthers top pick is slated to be 48.

Assets

The Panthers arguably have the best one-two running attack in the league with DeAngelo Williams and Johnathan Stewart becoming the first team to feature a pair of 1,000 yard backs in the same season.

Steve Smith is 30 and his numbers are down a bit but he is still one of the best receivers in the game.

When healthy Jordan Gross is a Pro Bowl caliber left tackle while many believe it is only a matter of time until second year right tackle Jeff Otah earns a Pro Bowl berth.

The offensive line as a whole is solid it just lacks any real depth past the starting five.

Jon Beason is in the discussion for best middle linebackers in the game.

Many believe outside linebacker Thomas Davis was on his way to his first career Pro Bowl berth before his season ended 7 games into the season.

When motivated defensive end Julius Peppers is as good as there is in the game at defensive end.

Liabilities/Needs

Quarterback play has been a problem for the Panthers this season.  Jake Delhomme threw 18 interceptions in 11 games before an injury to his throwing hand derailed his season.  Backup Matt Moore has been solid in two starts and strong in another start against the Vikings.

After Smith there has been little to no depth at wide receiver and it is believed that veteran free agent to be Muhsin Muhammad has played his last game for the Panthers.

Consistency at the tight end position has been an issue in the passing game since Wesley Walls retired several years ago.

The safeties are adequate but could be better.

There is not a lot of depth at linebacker after the starting three and Na’il Diggs, filling in for Davis, is on his last legs.

The pass rush still begins and ends with Julius Peppers.  Charles Johnson and Everette Brown have not provided the pass rush the team was hoping for when it drafted them.

The team went through several defensive tackles due to injury this year so adding some depth to the position is a need.

Bottom Line

Matt Moore’s play down the stretch makes finding Jake Delhomme’s long term successor less of a priority.  Moore earned the chance to win the starting job next summer.  With that being said look for the team to grab either a receiver, tight end, or defensive tackle with its top pick.

LSU’s Brandon LaFell could be someone the Panthers look at to take the place of Muhsin Muhammad opposite Steve Smith as the other receiver.  USC’s Damian Williams or Georgia Tech’s Demaryius Thomas could be targets as well.

The Panthers could look to Defensive ends Brandon Graham (Michigan) or Greg Hardy (Mississippi) to improve the pass rush.

Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon is a possible option as well.

Tight ends Anthony McCoy (USC) or Aaron Hernandez (Florida) could be on the Panthers radar screen also.

Texas linebacker Rod Muckleroy, Wisconsin tight end Garrett Graham, or Kansas receiver Dezmon Briscoe are possible third round targets for Carolina.