Best and Worst NFL Draft Picks for Each Team in the Past Decade

Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) prepares for a game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina Panthers

Best Pick – Luke Kuechly, LB, 9th Overall in 2012

Luke Kuechly has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL since the day the Panthers drafted him. He’s been in the top five of the league for total tackles each of the past three seasons, including the leading the league in tackles in 2012 and 2014.

Kuechly has gotten better each season and has no holes in his game, really improving his ability in pass coverage since he entered the league.

Other selections considered:

Thomas Davis, LB, 14th Overall in 2005

Greg Hardy, DE, 175th Overall in 2010

Cam Newton, QB, 1st Overall in 2011

Star Lotulelei, DT, 14th Overall in 2013

Kelvin Benjamin, WR, 28th Overall in 2014

Worst Pick – Jimmy Clausen, QB, 48th Overall in 2010

Jimmy Clausen was drafted with the expectation that he would be the franchise-saving quarterback, a fixture in the Panthers offense for the next 10-15 years.

Yea, that didn’t happen.

It took one season for the Panthers to decide Clausen wasn’t their man before they took Cam Newton first overall in 2011. Clausen is currently the back up quarterback for the Chicago Bears.

Other selections considered:

Dwayne Jarrett, WR, 45th Overall in 2007

Jeff Otah, OT, 19th Overall in 2008

Everette Brown, DE, 43rd Overall in 2009