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Depth Chart Helps Show Where Panthers Are Still Shopping

Posted on Author Bill VothCategories News

As of Tuesday night, the Carolina Panthers have 69 players on their current roster. That includes the official addition of Paul Soliai, who will help fill a void at defensive tackle.

So the Panthers have 21 other roster spots to hand out over the next couple months, with six earmarked for the draft. That means there are more than a dozen free agents signings left to go — whether they're unrestricted, on the street or undrafted.

As most have finally come to understand, while other teams use March to make big splashes, Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman gets out his glue gun. His goal right now isn't to find one fix. Instead, he's searching for a handful of discounted pieces to fill holes ahead of the draft.

With six weeks before the draft, and less than a week into free agency, let's check out where Gettleman is likely still shopping by looking at projected depth charts.

OFFENSE

  1st 2nd 3rd
WR K.Benjamin T.Ginn B.Bersin/S.Hill
LT M.Oher M.Remmers D.Foucault
LG A.Norwell C.Scott
C R.Kalil G.Gradkowski
RG T.Turner G.Gradkowski
RT M.Remmers D.Williams
TE G.Olsen E.Dickson S.Simonson
WR D.Funchess P.Brown K.Norwood/D.Byrd
QB C.Newton D.Anderson J.Webb
FB M.Tolbert
RB J.Stewart F.Whittaker C.Artis-Payne/B.Wegher

NOTES

--Could the Panthers use another WR? Sure, but it's not a glaring need like in previous years.

--Ditto at OT, for the most part. Depth there is shaky.

--Gino Gradkowski's signing helped fill two backup spots. 

--It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Panthers add a veteran RB sometime in the next few weeks.

--As you'll see, the offense is in better shape than the defense.

DEFENSE

  1st 2nd 3rd
DE K.Ealy M.Addison R.Cox/W.Horton
DT K.Short C.Alecxih
DT S.Lotulelei P.Soliai
DE C.Johnson R.Delaire A.Miley
SLB S.Thompson A.Klein
MLB L.Kuechly A.Klein D.Mayo/B.Jacobs
WLB T.Davis A.Klein
CB J.Norman L.Young
CB B.Benwikere T.Williams
NCB R.McClain
SS T.Boston C.Jones M.Ball
FS K.Coleman D.Marlowe R.Dowling

NOTES

--The Panthers are intrigued by their young DEs, but there's room for at least one more vet.

--Soliai helps, but the Panthers need at least one more reinforcement at DT. Gettleman will likely want to have a temporary four-man rotation penciled in there before the draft, even though it's loaded with talent at that position.

--Where should we start with CB? How about at nickel, which is essentially the Panthers' base defense. That's probably need 1a at the moment. And at outside corner, Bené Benwikere should be a fine No. 2, but he won't be full-go until training camp. So CB could use two adds before the draft.

--Eric Weddle was a fun idea, but the Panthers weren't going to get into a bidding war for a 31-year-old safety. They'll likely pick up a cheaper option soon.

SPECIAL TEAMS

  1st 2nd 3rd
K G.Gano S.Waters
P S.Waters
LS J.Jansen
PR T.Ginn R.McClain
KR F.Whittaker J.Webb

NOTES

--The Panthers will eventually bring someone in to compete with Swayze Waters.

--Of players who returned at least nine kicks last season, Fozzy Whittaker's average of 23.2 yards per return ranked 32nd. With the proliferation of touchbacks, a dynamic kickoff returner isn't much of a need, but it wouldn't hurt if the Panthers added a guy who could help there sometime this offseason.

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Posted on Author Bill VothCategories News
  • Panthers/Truth

    Gradkowski is just a body on the bench, who’s never played well. It will be a problem any time he has to play. They probably need to sign another veteran C/G, though C/G Isaac Seumalo (6’3 7/8″,, 303, 33″ arms, 9 7/8″ hands, 5.19-40, 1.72-10, 7.40-3 cone, 4.52-20 yard shuttle, 8-9 broad jump) in the 5th round would be a good pick, who could be ready to start once Kalil leaves. They might not have a draft pick to spend on a C, but here are 2 good FA C’s, Jake Brendel (6’4 1/8″, 303, 31 5/8″ arms are his only drawback, 5.01-40, 1.71-10, 7.31-3 cone, 4.27-20 yard shuttle, 9-0 broad jump) or Duke’s Matt Skura (6’3 3/8″, 329, 35 1/4″ arms, 10″ hands, 5.39-40, 1.84-10, 7.89-3 cone, 4.76-20 yard shuttle, 8-7 broad jump, 27 bench reps), who might even be a better G than C.

    Oher and Remmers will both be URFA’s next year, so the panthers need to draft a LT they can develop this year, so he will be able to take over in 2017. Some think they might draft Spriggs in the 1st round, but he’s only 301 pounds, and G=man likes bigger O-Linemen. For that reason, I think he will target Le’Raven Clark (6’51/4″, 316, 36 1/8″ arms, 11 7/8″ hands, 5.16-40, 1.80-10, 18 bench reps, 30″ vertical, 9-1 broad jump) in the 2nd round, or Brandon Shell (6’5 2/3″, 324, 34 3/4″ arms, 10 3/4″ hands, 5.22-40, 1.75-10, 22 bench reps, 9-4 broad jump) in the 3rd or 4th round (he’s currently ranked as a late 5th or 6th round pick. If they miss out on those 2 LT’s, they Tyler, Johnstone (6’5 1/2″, 301, 34″ arms, 10 3/8″ hands, 5.21-40, 1.78-10, 7.31-3 cone, 4.60-20 yard shuttle, 24 bench reps, 8-8 broad jump).

    They could also use a backup FB/TE, because they have no one behind Tolbert, maybe adding an UDFA.

  • Panthers/Truth

    ON Defense:

    The Panthers must add another good pass rushing DE (they only have 3, CJ, Ealy, and Addison, though Larry Webster could make a 4th if he works out), and if they get lucky in the 1st round with Emmanuel Ogbah (6’4 1/4″, 273, 277 at Pro Day, 35 1/2″ arms, 10″ hands, 4.63-40, 1.59-10, 7.26-3 cone, 4.50-20 yard shuttle, 20 bench reps, 35 1/2″ vertical, 10-1 broad jump) still available, then he’s the pick. If they miss out on Ogbah, then it’s Charles Tapper (6’2 5/8″, 271, 275 at Pro Day, 34 3/8″ arms, 11 1/2″ hands, 4.59-40, 1.59-10, 23 bench reps, 34″ vertical, 9-11 broad jump) or Carl Nassib (6’6 7/8″, 277, 34″ arms, 10 3/8″ hands, 4.84-40, 1.62-10, 7.27-3 cone, 4.37-20 yard shuttle, 21 bench reps, 28 1/2″ vertical, 9-6 broad jump, and he had 15.5 sacks in 2015) in the 2nd round. Their last 2 options are Bronson Kaufusi (6’6 1/2″, 285, 34 1/2″ arms, 9 3/4″ hands, 4.87-40, 1.69-10, 7.03-3 cone, 4.25-20 yard shuttle, 25 bench reps, 30″ vertical, 9-5 broad jump) in the 3rd round, or Stephen Weatherly (6’4 1/8″, 267, 34 1/2″ arms, 10 1/4″ hands, 4.61-40, 1.59-10, 7.07-3 cone, 4.42-20 yard shuttle, 23 bench reps, 31″ vertical, 9-9 broad jump) in the 4th or 5th round.

    They need a backup DT behind Short in the draft, and if they think they might lose ether Short or Star as a URFA next year, then they might well draft Chris Jones (8’5 3/4″, 310, 34 1/2″, 10 3/4″ hands, 5.03-10, 1.70-10, 7.44-3 cone, 4.62-20 yard shuttle, 26 bench reps, 29 1/2″ vertical, 8-10 broad jump). in the 2nd round. Willie Henry (6’2 3/4″, 303, 33 3/8″ arms, 10 7/8″ hands, 5.00-40, 1.75-10, 7.57-3 cone, 4.53-20 yard shuttle, 28 bench reps, 30 1/2″ vertical, 9-2 broad jump) might be a good 5th round pick. Here are 3 good options for the 7th round (the next to last pick) or as UDFA’s, Connor Wujciak (6’2 1/2″, 291, 33 1/4″ arms, 10″ hands, 4.91-40, 1.70-10, 7.32-3 cone, 4.27-20 yard shuttle, 22 bench reps, 34 1/2″ vertical, 9-9 broad jump), Joel Heath (6’5 1/4″, 293, 34 1/2″ arms, 10 1/2″ hands, 5.02-40, 1.75-10, 7.44-3 cone, 4.52-20 yard shuttle, 26 bench reps, 33″ vertical, 9-5 broad jump), or Ofomba Kamalu (6’5 1/8″, 295, 35″ arms, 10″ hands, 5.01, 1.74-10, 7.32-3 cone, 4.58-20 yard shuttle, 26 bench reps, 25″ vertical, 8-10 broad jump).

    They also need some more depth at LB, probably a FA, or maybe an UDFA like Joe Walker (6’2 3/8″, 236, 4.56-40, 6.81-3 cone, 4.31-20 yard shuttle, 23 bench reps, 37 1/2″ vertical, 10-4 broad jump, at his Pro Day), Cory James (6’1″, 229, 4.57-40, 6.67-3 cone, 4.5-20 yard shuttle, 16 bench reps, 35″ vertical, 10-7 broad jump, at his Pro Day), or James Burgess (6’0 1/4″, 236, 4.61-40, 7.06-3 cone, 4.47-20 yard shuttle, 21 bench reps, 32 1/2″ vertical, 10-1 broad jump, at his Pro Day).

    They only have 2 good starting CB’s, without any good quality depth behind them, that’s why they need to draft a good 3rd CB, who can start, and take over if Norman leaves in 2017, along with a good backup CB. As the starter I prefer William Jackson III (6’0 3/8″, 189, 31 3/4″ arms, 9 1/4″ hands, 4.37-40, 1.52-10, 10 bench reps, 9-8 broad jump) in the 1st round, or CB/S Sean Davis (6’1″, 201, 31 3/8″ arms, 9 1/2″ hands, 4.46-40, 1.56-10, 6.64-3 cone, 3.97-20 yard shuttle, 21 bench reps). As their 2nd drafted CB, I like Kevon Seymour (5’11 1/2″, 186, 30 3/4″ arms, 9″ hands, 4.39-40, 1.55-10, 4.18-20 yard shuttle, 12 bench reps, 35″ vertical, 10-4 broad jump), Eric Murrray (5’10 5/8″, 199, 31 3/4″ arms, 9″ hands, 4.49-40, 1.54-10, 7.08-3 cone, 4.05-20 yard shuttle, 15 bench reps, 39 1/2″ vertical, 10-4 broad jump) in the 4th round, or Ken Crowley (6’0 3/8″, 187, 30 1/2″ arms, 9″ hands, 4.43-40, 1.53-10, 6.84-3 cone, 4.4-20 yard shuttle, 7 bench reps) in the 5th round. Several good CB’s will fall out of the draft, and the Panthers could take one of them in the 7th round (the next to last pick). A very interesting pick might be Brandon Williams (5’11 3/8″, 197, 32 1/2″ arms, 8 5/8″ hands, 4.37-40, 1.54-10, 6.85-3 cone, 4.19-20 yard shuttle, 18 bench reps, 30 1/2″ vertical, 9-10 broad jump), who only switched from RB to CB as a senior.

    The Panthers need a starting SS, and I thought David Bruton would have been a great (and affordable, under $3 million a year) FA signing, but he signed with the Redskins today. So, that leaves the draft, Sean Davis who’s listed above with the CB’s might be the best option (he’s a big hitter) in the 3rd or 4th round, or they could go for FS T. J. Green (6’2 1/2″, 209, 215 at his Pro Day, 32″ arms, 9 5/8″ hands, 4.34-40, 1.52-10, 7.10-3 cone, 4.41-20 yard shuttle, 13 bench reps, 35 1/2″ vertical, 10-9 broad jump), but they might have to trade up in the 3rd round to get him. In the 5th round they could go for K. J. Dillon (6’0 3/8″, 210, 31 5/8″ arms, 9 5/8″ hands, 4.53-40, 1.60-10, 11 bench reps), Justin Simmons (6’2 3/8″, 202, 32 5/8″ arms, 9 5/8″ hands, 4.61-40, 1.61-10, 6.58-3 cone, 3.85-20 yard shuttle, 16 bench reps, 40″ vertical, 10-6 broad jump), Tyvis Powell (6’2 3/4″, 211, 32″ arms, 9 1/2″ hands, 4.46-40, 1.60-10, 7.03-3 cone, 4.25-20 yard shuttle, 15 bench reps, 34 1/2″ vertical, 10-0 broad jump), or Derrick Kindred (5’10”, 207, 31 1/4″ arms, 9 3/8″ hands, 4.50-40, 1.58-10, 7.05-3 cone, 4.29-20 yard shuttle, 37 1/2″ vertical). They could even wait and sign an UDFA, like Elijah Shumate (5’113/4″, 216, 31 1/8″ arms, 9 3/4″ hands, 4.58-40, 1.62-10, 4.51-20 yard shuttle, 18 bench reps, 33″ vertical, 9-11 broad jump), or Tevin Carter (6’1 1/4″, 218, 32″ arms, 9 1/4″ hands).

    .

    • koda57

      Delarie will make a good pass rusher,, not sure about stopping the run but he’ll be a good DE for passing downs.
      I have no doubt they find another pass rushing DT to backup Short. They’ll bring in a vet unless they already feel good about getting their man in the draft.
      Having Klein helps a lot at LB since he can play all 3 LB positions then we have Blechen, Jacobs & Mayo so it’s not a need.
      I don’t feel good about Bene starting outside at CB after coming off his injury, especially early season so CB is a need IMO.
      Harper spent two years tutoring Boston and Harp said he was ready so I believe they intend to give Boston every opportunity to start at SS.

      WR may not be a need but I believe they’ll get Cam another target, hopefully a slot receiver but I see G-Man drafting either a WR or TE.