Carolina Panthers 2014 NFL Draft Grades

Posted By Chris Ransom

Carolina Panthers: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

Carolina Panthers Day 1 Draft Grade: (A+) Carolina needed to make a big play at left tackle or wide receiver. Benjamin will be Newton’s top target in 2014 even though he declared for the 2014 NFL Draft as a sophomore redshirt. Don’t forget that Newton can also throw to tight ends Greg Olsen or Ed Dickson. If Carolina has a winning record, Benjamin will win 2014 Offensive rookie of the year.

Carolina Panthers 2014 Day 2 Picks

Team	Round	Overall Pick	Player	Position	College
	Round 2	60th Overall Pick	Kony Ealy	LE
	Round 3	92nd Overall Pick	Trai Turner	RG

Carolina Panthers Day 2 Draft Grade: (A) Kony Ealy was a starting 4-3 left end at Missouri across from Michael Sam. Ealy was more a run-stuffer that got by right tackles rather than a pass-rusher that got by left tackles in Sam. Adding Ealy as a backup behind Charles Johnson, so Ealy can develop into a pass-rusher to compliment Greg Hardy is a brilliant front-office move that will save cap space down-the-line.

I also liked the Trai Turner pick. Turner is a guy that can make things happen. Having Amini Silatolu at left guard, Ryan Kalil at center, and Turner at right guard gives Carolina one of the leagues better interior offensive lines. The Panthers’ running-game performed at a proficient level in Cam Newton’s rookie season. After that, the Ryan Kalil injury set this team back in 2012 despite having no defense. In 2013, it was the absence of Silatolu along with a Jonathan Stewart injury that limited what Carolina’s rushing attack could do. Expect Carolina to run a more balanced run first offense like they did during Newton’s rookie season where he threw for a career high 4,051-passing yards while showing his ability as a dual-threat quarterback with 14-rushing touchdowns. Newton has to bust his rear end during OTA’s like he is now learning the progressions while playing like he did during his rookie season as a dual threat because Carolina has the interior offensive lineman, but lacks the pass blocking offensive tackles to give Newton time to make progressions.

Carolina Panthers Day 3 Draft Grade: (F) Carolina got three permanent backups. They already released running back Tyler Gaffney after he suffered an injury during training camp. The only day 3 pick with a remote chance of cracking the roster is hometown prospect Tre Boston.