Carolina Panthers 2012 NFL Draft and Offseason Review and Analysis

The Carolina Panthers made some wholesale changes to their franchise last year, firing head coach John Fox and hiring defensive guru Ron Rivera as well as drafting Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Cam Newton with the number one pick.

That was a smart move.

Newton may have only made the Pro Bowl because a couple guys backed out, but he certainly earned his trip there in my opinion. He’s got a ton of ability and as he continues to grow as a passer, this team is going to get better and better. Newton finished last year with over 4,000 yards through the air, as well as over 700 yards on the ground and 35 combined total touchdowns. He completed 60 percent of his passes, which is pretty incredible to me considering the amount of passes he threw and the fact that he is only a rookie.

The sky is the limit for this rare player and rare athlete at the quarterback position, and because of that fact, the Panthers are in place to be a very threatening team in 2012.

All of that being said, the Panthers certainly were in the ninth overall draft slot for a reason. They had some serious holes on defense and lack a group of playmakers at the receiver position. I like what they did this offseason in the draft and free agency, even with their limited cap space. Here is a recap of the Panthers’ draft and UDFA class:

1. Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
2. Amini Silatolu, OL, Midwestern State
3. Frank Alexander, DE, Oklahoma
4. Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas
5. Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina
6. Brad Nortman, P, Wisconsin
7. D.J. Campbell, S, California

Undrafted Rookie Free agents

Best Undrafted Free Agent Signing:  Tauren Poole, RB, Tennessee

Pre-season report:

Poole really broke out as a star for the Vols in 2010 when he ran the ball 204 times for 1,034 yards (5.1 yard average), 11 touchdowns, 22 receptions, and another touchdown through the air. He has the ideal (or close to it) size for an NFL running back, and he appears to have excellent vision and better than average power in games. Poole has good speed and lateral quickness, and is always keeping his eyes down the field. Last year, he had six games where he went over 100 yards on the ground, and one game, he hit the 99 mark. He is a workhorse back who is not afraid of contact. Excellent lower body strength, and slippery in between the tackles. Runs low and is very hard to take down on first contact. For three years in a row, he has been an All Academic SEC Selection, so he is dedicated off the field as well. One of the leaders of the Tennessee offense, and team overall. Honorable mention All SEC selection in a league filled with running back talent, Poole is a player to watch in NFL circles and could be a day two pick. If not, he is certainly an early day three type of player.

Offseason Moves (via Walterfootball.com)

Added

LB Jason Phillips (re-signed)
OG Geoff Hangartner (re-signed)
QB Derek Anderson (re-signed)
S Haruki Nakamura
LB Kenny Onatolu
RB Mike Tolbert
OL Mike Pollak
DE Antwan Applewhite (re-signed)
OL Bruce Campbell (trade)
LB Jordan Senn (re-signed)
S Reggie Smith

Lost

DT DeMario Pressley (Bears)
WR Legedu Naanee (Dolphins)
RB Mike Goodson (Trade, Raiders)
OL Geoff Schwartz (Vikings)
OL Travelle Wharton (Bengals)
OG Mackenzie Bernadeau (Cowboys)
LB Dan Connor (Cowboys)
Jeremy Shockey

Biggest Addition: Mike Tolbert, RB, San Diego Chargers

The Chargers’ offense took a huge blow when it lost Mike Tolbert, so that indicates to me that the Panthers’ offense is going to get a huge boost. This move really works in their favor because, as a fullback hybrid, Tolbert can be on the field as the same as either Jonathan Stewart or DeAngelo Williams. This gives the Panthers a ton of options in the run game as well as the passing game, because Tolbert is also a very good receiver. This just adds another dimension to the offensive side of the ball for this young team.

Biggest Loss:  Dan Connor, LB, Dallas Cowboys

Dan Connor is a versatile linebacker who will undoubtedly go and be a productive starter for the Cowboys barring injury, but the addition of Luke Kuechly obviously eases the pain for the Panthers here. I really like Connor and think he can be a starting inside linebacker for a long time in this league. He was really productive when filling in for the injured Jon Beason, and this isn’t necessarily the biggest blow to the Panthers’ roster, but he’s definitely the most talented player among those leaving.

Projected Depth Chart (Offense)

QB: Cam Newton, Derek Anderson, Jimmy Clausen

RB: DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert, Tauren Poole (R), Josh Vaughan

FB: Mike Tolbert

WR1: Steve Smith, Kealoha Pilares, Joe Adams (R)

WR2: Brandon LaFell, David Gettis, Armanti Edwards

TE: Greg Olson, Gary Barnidge, Ben Hartsock

LT: Jordan Gross, Bruce Campbell

LG: Amini Silatolu (R), Mike Pollak

C: Ryan Kalil, Mike Pollak

RG: Geoff Hangartner, Bryant Browning

RT: Jeff Otah, Lee Ziemba

Projected Depth Chart (Defense)

DE: Greg Hardy, Frank Alexander (R), Thomas Keiser

DT: Terrell McClain, Frank Kearse

DT: Ron Edwards, Sione Fua

DE: Charles Johnson, Antwan Applewhite

OLB: James Anderson, Thomas Davis

ILB: Jon Beason, Jason Phillips

OLB: Luke Kuechly (R), Jordan Senn

CB: Chris Gamble, Darius Butler, Josh Norman (R)

FS: Sherrod Martin, Haruki Nakamura, Reggie Smith

SS: Charles Godfrey, Jordan Pugh, D.J. Campbell (R)

CB: Captain Munnerlyn, Brandon Hogan

Special Teams

K: Olindo Mare

P: Brad Nortman (R)

LS: J.J. Jansen