Carolina Panthers 2012 NFL Draft and Offseason Review and Analysis
Draft Picks Recap and Analysis
1. Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
Pros–Good size…great instincts…tackling machine…smart kid…team leader…very sharp…performs under pressure…can play sideline to sideline because of instincts and speed… very aggressive against the run…solid in coverage limitations…relentless…extremely productive…making more plays in the backfield this year
Cons–Plays on a terrible team, or not a very good team…up tackles at an alarming rate, but very low percentage come behind the line of scrimmage (in 2010 and also 2011, but less so)…only three career sacks so not a great interior pass rusher, or he is not used in that way a lot
Player comparison–Barrett Ruud, Tennessee Titans
Final thoughts:
Kuehcly showed off much more athletics than many anticipated at the combine and cemented himself in the first round. Kuechly’s biggest concern now is why didn’t he make a lot of plays in the backfield and do you want a player in the first round who doesn’t make big plays, but rather just makes a lot of small ones? It’s almost akin to taking a possession WR in the first round or a high volume catch guy who doesn’t get a lot of touchdowns.
NFLmocks preseason scouting report/bio
Also known as “Clark Kent” because of his very reserved look off the field and Superman-like play on the field, Kuechly (pronounced Keekly) is one of the best linebacker prospects in the class of 2012, and possibly one of the best prospects overall. He is a supremely talented athlete with great speed, smarts, and overall ability. He is what you would consider a “five-tool” player at his position, and he could be a top 10 pick when all is said and done. The former ACC Rookie of the Year and now two-time All-American is poised to have another huge season for the Eagles on the inside. When you watch this guy play, you can see that he dedicates a lot of time to the film room. He has incredible instincts, great closing speed, and if you try to run past him, or even near him, you are making a mistake. Last year as a sophomore, he was a consensus All-American and he led the nation with 183 tackles, and added three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 1.5 sacks. He shows very good ability in coverage for a young linebacker, and reads the quarterback’s eyes well. This kid is simply relentless, and he will only get better as he takes the reins as the true leader of the Eagles defense with the departure of Mark Herzlich. He should undoubtedly be one of the top linebackers selected in the next two years, and he is only going to improve as he is only 20 years old.
Pick Analysis: Kuechly is going to come in and start at weak-side linebacker immediately for the Panthers, which is actually a really good spot for him. If the Panthers can get decent production out of their defensive line, this linebacker group can seriously do some damage with Kuechly leading the way. He has incredible upside and athletic ability, and could be one of the best linebackers in the league in no time.
2. Amini Silatolu, OL, Midwestern State
Pick Analysis: The Panthers were in desperate need of some interior offensive line help, and Silatolu had been gaining steam as a potential late first round pick right up until the draft began. He is a powerful offensive guard who plays with a nasty streak. There is not a ton of film out there on him but what you can see, you can see that he is going to be physical and he’s going to be a huge asset in the running game. He will take some developing to be able to be a top notch pass protector, but that could come with time as he improves his technique. Obviously, the biggest question with Silatolu like other small school guys coming out such as Vlad Ducasse (Jets) and Will Rackley (Jaguars) is whether or not he’ll be able to adjust to the speed of the NFL quick enough. Obviously, there’s a reason why he was playing at Midwestern State and not at USC or LSU or something like that, but I think he definitely has the ability to be a very good player.
3. Frank Alexander, DE, Oklahoma
Frank Alexander has a decent first step and has a repertoire of pass rush moves. This season at Oklahoma he has played well standing up and looks like a natural. He is sound in the technical aspects of the game. One of the few DE that can play just as effectively in 4-3 and 3-4 defenses in college, but might be out of sorts a bit in the N.F.L.. Has plus physical attributes like his long arms and in time in time he could become a good pass rusher.
NFLmocks preseason bio:
Alexander is consistently coming into his own as a pass rushing defensive end, but is one of the more complete DE prospects available next year. Probably a better overall athlete than Jeremy Beal was coming out this year, but is really just scratching the surface of what he can be. Has been in a three man rotation at defensive end for most of his career, but has still been productive. Had six sacks last year and 11 tackles for loss. Had his best game against Nebraska with four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and a forced fumble. Probably a mid-round pick at this point, but should get a fair shake in the NFL.
Pick Analysis: The Panthers reached a little bit to get a pass rusher here, but I think Alexander is a better player than advertised. He is very long and was extremely productive in college at Oklahoma, and a terror for people to try and block. He can play the run as well as the pass, and will add really great depth to the Panthers’ defensive end rotation.
Sources close to Adams say he was close to making a decision to leave for the NFL before a disasterous Sugar Bowl performance in which Joe dropped 6 passes, 3 of which would have been touchdowns. Even with 6 drops Adams still had 9 receptions for 120 yards & a touchdown in the Sugar Bowl. Adams is the most explosive player on the Razorback roster, maybe in the country. Adams is build from the Percy Harvin mold. He is used primarly as a wide reciever but has lined up at running back and is used on bubble and tunnel screens. Adams YAC is among the best as is his speed and explosivenes.. However his hands have been a concern since he was a freshman.
Who could forget the infamous Sugar Bowl? It appeared the Razorbacks were well on their way to absolutely crushing the Ohio State Buckeyes, but three dropped TD passes absolutely killed any chance of that happening. This is a guy who needs to come out in 2011 with a chip on his shoulder. The size and speed are all there, and obviously the playmaking skills are as well. I would love to see him have a huge rebound year, and prove that his issue of dropping passes is behind him, because that WILL decrease his NFL stock.
Pick Analysis: Adams has a lot of work to do as a receiver in his development, but he is an incredible return specialist and could very well contribute there for the Panthers right away. Perhaps we’ve only scratched the surface of what Adams can be, but he looks like a young Steve Smith coming out back in 2001 in terms of his overall skill set.
5. Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina
Pick Analysis: Josh Norman is a very interesting prospect. He really came on this past offseason at the East-West Shrine game when he started surprising scouts with his potential shut-down ability. I think this is a great day three value, personally. The Panthers have come away with a guy who can return punts and kicks, and he plays the ball about as well as any player at his position, to be quite honest. His length and overall ball skills are superb, and in talking to him a couple of times this offseason, he believes he has shut-down ability. The NFL is moving to a three CB set in most defenses because of the way teams are passing the ball, so getting a guy like Norman who has good size and can come in and be a nickel corner immediately is a very good move. He should be getting into the rotation right away.
Pre-season Report:
Another excellent specialist for the Badgers, Nortman has averaged 42.1 yards per punt over the course of his Wisconsin career, which ranks third in school history. Career long is 76 yards which came last year, and because of the improvement of the Wisconsin offense, has seen his attempts go down from 66, to 49, to only 38 punts all of last year. 2nd Team All Big Ten performer and an Academic All Big Ten performer in the classroom. Has gotten 50 of his 153 attempts inside the 20, roughly 1/3 of his career punts, which is a fantastic number.
Pick Analysis: The Panthers have a need at the punter position, or they did anyway, and I think getting Nortman is a very solid move. He was one of the best punters in all of college football, and has the ability to switch the sides of the field for the Panthers. There is a serious need for these types of specialists in the NFL, and getting a guy like Nortman who can be a good one right away is a solid move for the Panthers.
7. D.J. Campbell, S, California
Pick Analysis: Campbell is a wildly productive special teams player and one year starter for the Bears, but he’s extremely raw as a defensive back and here the Panthers were looking for someone with upside and special teams capabilities, and that’s exactly what they got. Campbell is a very good athlete with solid size and speed, and he could come in and contribute right away chasing down returners and punts. Honorable mention All-Pac 12 last year, so he is on his way up.