The Carolina Panthers had a very solid draft last April. It all started out with running back Jonathan Stewart who was the first player they selected. He played in 16 games (0 starts) as a rookie in 2008 and he carried the ball 184 times for 836 yards (4.5 ypc) with 10 TD runs. He also caught 8 passes for 47 yards (5.9 avg) last season. Stewart even made 3 tackles as a rookie. Look for Stewart to pile up yards at a good rate in the future for the Panthers. The other first round pick of the Panthers last season was offensive tackle Jeff Otah. Otah played in 12 games (all starts) for the Panthers last season and he was one of the main reasons that they ran the ball so well in 2008. He will be a starter for a long time on the Panthers. Cornerback Charles Godfrey was a good pick in the third round as he moved right into the starting lineup. He played in 16 games (all starts) as a rookie for the Panthers last season and he made 61 tackles, defensed 5 passes, sacked the opposing QB once and he had 1 interception. He could be a starter for a long time for the Panthers. The other third round pick the Panthers spent was on inside linebacker Dan Connor. Connor only played in 3 games (0 starts) and he made 4 tackles before having his season cut short due to a torn ACL. TE Gary Barnridge played in 15 games (0 starts) as a rookie last season and he didn’t catch any passes while making 3 tackles. 6th rounder Nick Hayden (DT) played in only 2 games (1 start) for the Panthers last season and he made 3 tackles. OLB Hilee Taylor (7th round) played in 10 games (0 starts) for the Panthers last season and he made 4 whole tackles. 7th rounders Geoff Schwartz (OT) and Mackenzy Bernadeau (OG) didn’t play last season for the Panthers.
GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: B+
GRADE FOR THE FUTURE: A
