Missing Value In Either Draft, Real or Fantasy, Will Cost You. Has It Cost the Panthers?

The rapidly approaching Fantasy Football Draft prompted me to think about how the real Draft compares to the Fantasy Draft.  There was also some good discussion around this on Twitter this past week.     

@PanthersDrafter @aidendrakesdad @clyde1784 @Cat_Chronicles I'd have to go with Hardy,as far as value 4 a 6th rnd but Clyde has good points.
— steven danner (@sdanner52) June 6, 2014

#C3 5th Round Draft Grade: Bene' Benwikere

Crew Critique

“Mel Mayock” aka @PanthersDrafter- So Bene Benwikere (pronounced Benay- Bin-wik-eree) is a guy that wouldn’t be playing CB if it weren’t for the competition he faced.  This guy was on the same high school team in California as Robert Woods (2nd Round Pick now with Buffalo), Paul Richardson (2nd Rd Pick now with

Seattle) and Marqise Lee (2nd Rd Pick now with Jacksonville).  This forced the high school WR to switch sides of the ball and the rest is history.  BB had 14 INTs while at San Jose St. and played both corner positions, safety, and nickel.  He is also a special teams standout.  This versatility, along with his intelligence is why, Dave Gettleman traded our 7th Rd

#C3 Round 4 Draft Grades: Tre Boston

As usual, the 2014 draft reminded us that it never goes down the way it was forecasted. So how did the Panthers do? Check C3’s s rundown of Carolina’s 4th Rd selection, Tre Boston.  The crew tells you if we got a blue goose or just got stuck with some Gray Goose, mmm makes me thirsty.

						Tackles					Def Int					Fumbles
Year	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Solo	Ast	Tot	Loss	Sk	Int	Yds	Avg	TD	PD	FR	Yds	TD	FF
*2010	North Carolina	ACC	SR	DB	10	24	8	32	1.0	0.0	1	2	2.0	0	5	0	0	0	2
*2011	North Carolina	ACC	SR	DB	13	48	22	70	1.5	0.0	3	20	6.7	0	5	0	0	0	1
2012	North Carolina	ACC	SR	DB	12	49	37	86	1.0	0.0	4	38	9.5	1	10	0	0	0	0
*2013	North Carolina	ACC	SR	S	6	49	45	94	4.5	0.0	5	19	3.8	0	8				0
Career	North Carolina					170	112	282	8.0	0.0	13	79	6.1	1	28	0	0	0	3

Provided by Sports-Reference.com/CFB: View Original Table
Generated 5/19/2014.

Crew Critique

“Mel Mayock” aka @PanthersDrafter- I really think we were targeting Pierre Desir at this spot and we just missed out on him to Cleveland.  I think this is where Gettleman should have traded up to ensure we got the man we desired (get it?).  But Tre Boston is a guy that I like a lot.  He played four years and every spot in the defensive backfield.  You also want a guy that got

#C3's 1st RD Crew Review

Like it or not, the Carolina Panthers completed the 2014 draft.  The draft reminded us that it never goes down the way it’s forecasted. So how did we do? Check C’s rundown of Carolina’s 1st Rd selection, Kelvin Benjamin.  

Crew Review- B-

“The Professor”- This was a safe pick.  There were a lot of guys on the board who are more dynamic right

Alternative Carolina Panthers "AfterMock" Draft

The consensus of the 2014 Carolina Panthers draft seems to be that fans like parts of it and don't like others. That much is par for the course, but I think the one thing most of us have in common is that "need" positions on offense weren't addressed adequately. 

Let's take a look at what an "alternative" draft might have looked like, with each of the following picks having been someone on the board AFTER the player we took was picked:

Let's Compare Our Picks to The Real Results

So PantherNation, how did we do?  Let’s compare the Panther Fan led draft on this very website to the one that actually went down.  At this point I have mixed feelings about the real draft’s outcome.  But in reality we won’t know how good or bad it is for at least a year if not longer.  But let’s compare picks round by round anyway:

Carolina Panthers Draft Grade

#154077550 / gettyimages.com

I'll just give you a hint to start with: When the draft was over with and Carolina's picks were in, my reaction was "We waited months for THIS?"

Why Mock Drafts Fail

We've all seen them and we as writer-bloggers have all held them. I've done more than I'd like to in an entire lifetime.

I'm talking about "mock" drafts. They're ALWAYS, without exception, WRONG.

Why?

Real-time Panthers Fan Reactions to the Kelvin Benjamin Pick

This draft has been anything but predictable.  Check the C3 crew's real-time reaction to the +Carolina Panthers 1st Rd selection, Kelvin Benjamin.

Round One has the Usual Surprises - Here are the Ones I See

FINALLY the much-hyped first round of the NFL draft is done with! David Gettleman selected Kelvin Benjamin, a very raw but very big talent from last year's national championship team, the FSU Seminoles.

Now, heads turn to rounds 2-3 this evening at 7 pm. Carolina drafts at numbers 2-60 and 3-92 after a wild, strange round one. It seems like every draft, we make our "mocks" which are always ALWAYS wrong, but do serve several purposes: They're informative as to team needs and illustrative of overall thoughts about the talent level of the players involved. There are always some surprises and and some head-scratchers.

Let's take a look at some of the more surprising choices as I see them:

C3 Live Carolina Panthers Draft Party!

C3's inaugural NFL Draft Party.  The crew, with special guests, will commentate the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.  All NFL fans are welcome.  All Panther fans will be at home!  

Panthers Pick Kelvin Benjamin pt 4/4

Panthers Draft Party pt. 1/4

Panthers Draft Party pt. 2/4

Panthers Draft Party pt. 3/4

Hold Up, the Bucs Ain't Champs Yet! A Pre-Draft Evaluation of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

#460993349 / gettyimages.com

There's been a lot made of the Tampay Bay’s offseason free agency activity, especially hiring of Coach Lovie Smith.  The media had fawned over these additions, some already deeming the Buc’s the new division leader.  It has been busy offseason for Tampa with 17 total new faces on the roster. While there have been heaps of praise, I don’t think there has been enough coverage free agent departures and problems with important components of the team’s roster. Here's a couple of issues I see pre-draft for the Buc’s.

Defense:

Secondary: Tampa is playing 3 strong safeties without a true free safety. Dshon Goldson, Major Wright, and Mark Barron all have issues in coverage and are best playing in the box. I’m interested to see how they fit in a Tampa 2 base defense. The newly added Alterraun Verner is a good solid corner who fits the Tampa 2 defense, but he's not an upgrade over Revis. 

Big questions also loom with Mike Jenkins, Jonthan Banks, and Michael Johnson.

Linebackers: Tampa has an excellent outside linebacker in Lavonte David, but then what? Mason Foster is horrible in coverage. This position has to be addressed in the draft.  I’m guessing this will be a position Tampa Bay will look to upgrade in the draft given Lovie’s history with beast linebackers in the middle, such as Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.

Defensive line: Consisting of Gerald McCoy, Clinton McDonald, Michael Johnson, Da’Quan Bowers, and Adrian Clayborn, this line is a mixed bag of goods. McCoy is an outstanding player, but what about the rest?  Big name free agent, Michael Johnson, was brought to shore of last year’s lack of defensive push. Johnson showed promise in 2012 compiling 11.5 sacks with the Cincinnati Bengals, but that figure dropped to a mere 3.5 sacks in 2013. The Bengals do one of the league’s premier pass rushers in Geno Atkins, so it's not like Johnson didn't have help. It unclear why his production dropped so dramatically.  Some think Johnson should flourish in Lovie’sdefense, but we haven’t seen much consistency yet from the league’s, now, 4th highest paid defensive player. McDonald, a backup defensive tackle for Seattle, had 5.5 sacks last season. He could be valuable in passing situations. Bowers has yet to live up to his acclaimed draft status, and Clayborn’s future with the Bucs is a question.

Offense:

C3 Broadcast: Don't Mock the Draft Decide It!

Tonight @6 pm!  It's the Last Mock.  The Mock that Broke Google!

+Cat Chronicles has partnered with Drafttek.com expert analyst, Erin Ford, to bring you the premiere, fan focused, Carolina Panther draft mock up--DON'T MOCK THE DRAFT, DECIDE IT!  This was  massive 14 phase project, where fans chose the position drafted in each round and the the player the the Panthers should draft in that round. After PantherNation drafted their guy, Drafttek.com Panther analyst Erin Ford provided a custom player profile and draft analysis for each draft choice.  This was 14 phase process, where you controlled the discussion--because without the fans, football is just a kids game!

Time to put a bow on the 7 Rd. Don't Mock The Draft Decide it! Vote Today!

Don't Mock the Draft, Decide It RD 7

Well PantherNation, it has been a blast so far and we are down to the final vote of the 2014 Panthers Don’t Mock the Draft, Decide it!  And your voice was heard and it has decided that you want to add a cornerback with Pick #204.  So who’s going to have their own Island at Bank of America Stadium?  You decide from the five worthy candidates below: 

1-     Loucheiz Pourifoy- This Florida State CB has been mocked by me in the late 6^th early 7^th quite frequently in my DraftTek Mock Drafts.  Good size at 6’0, 190 lbs.  4.6 40 and an unimpressive 6 reps on the Bench Press push his stock down.  But he can play and was 2^nd Team All-SEC. 

2-   Ricardo Allen- Capt. Munnerlyn sized at 5’9, 186.  Four –year starter out of Purdue that returned 13 out of 14 career interceptions for touchdowns.  Punt returner too!  But his 4.61 speed to go with his size push him to the 7^th Round. 

3-    Bene Benwikere- This is a good looking prospect out of San Jose St.  Ideal size at 6’0 193 lbs.  Very clean player with 14 career interceptions but his 4.61 40 pushes him down to this point.

4-   Deion Belue- This Alabama CB also serves as a Kickoff and Punt Returner.  Was a JUCO Transfer but started for the Tide the last two seasons.  Has good size at 5’11 184 lbs. and under performed last year after dealing with turf toe.  This also kept him out of the Combine.  Diamond in the rough?

5-    Nevin Lawson- Another Captain Munnerlyn clone at 5’9 193 lbs.  Very instinctive and tough player out of Utah State.  Adds extra value by playing the Gunner on Special Teams and runs a 4.48 40 with an impressive 16 reps on the bench press.  I like this kid and if we don’t get him in 7^th, I see him as a Priority Free agent.

So now you have your five to choose from.  Who is it going to be?  Make it count and join us Monday night for a recap of your 7 round selections.  Is it draft day yet?  ~@PanthersDrafter

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Cat Chronicles Represented PantherNation in the "Extra Point" with Sharona Fabulosa!

PantherNation give a tip of the cap to the Extra Point's  +Sharona Fabulosa for inviting +Cat Chronicles to rep on the NFC South Draft Preview Special.  I had a great time and talked a lot of good football about the +Carolina Panthers and our divisional opponents.  All C3's family knows how we do, so you'll have to check the sign I brought to the show!

Backyard Ballers: Carolina Gamecock Jimmy Legree

Jimmy Legree was a good corner for the Carolina Gamecocks for several years and spent the vast majority of his time as a starter after redshirting during his freshman season. In 2012 and 2013, Jimmy was an integral part of their defensive backfield.

When he came out of high school, he was either a 2- or 3-star recruit. Translation: decent player but probably won't be a star.

Inserted as the starting free safety in 2011 after a strong 2-pick showing in the spring game, Legree struggled and after two games the young player was used on special teams and from the bench.

In 2012, he moved to the cornerback position and that's where he hit his stride. Not letting his uneven play from 2011 keep him down, he got back up and went right at it with gusto. It didn't take him long to prove to the Head Ball Coach that he could cover wide receivers and appeared in every game since then, sharing time at the position with teammate Akeem Auguste.

You've gotta admire a guy who faces adversity, gets knocked down, gets back up, and is better than ever for it. It demonstrates character, resilience, and a can-do attitude that every NFL team desires in their players.

Decide The Draft Don't Mock It! Prince Shembo Coming Home To The Panthers in Round 5!

Don't Mock the Draft, Decide It RD 6

Hey Panther Fans, think about your draft so far:  Round 1- Playmaker Brandin Cooks  Round 2- Hog Molly Jack Mewhort Round 3. The Pierre Desir Island Round 4.- WF Standout and Back-yard Baller Michael Campanaro.  And now at Pick #168 in Round Five, PantherNation has spoken and have called one of our own home.  Audrey Kell High School product and Notre Dame standout, Prince Shembo, is the choice.   That is a First-Class Draft so far.  Let’s take a little deeper look at the new Prince of BOA: 

Prince Shembo had 86 tackles, 9 sacks, two forced-fumbles and two fumbles and two interceptions as a Junior at Audrey Kell.  Now that is some impressive numbers at that age.  Last season as a Junior at Notre Dame, he racked up 55 tackles as well as 7.5 sacks.  He lined up all over the field and has the strength to set the edge in the run game and to drop into coverage.  He’s the prototypical size too at 6’1, 253 lbs. with a 4.62 40 time.  Look for him to contribute on special teams right away while earning future playing time at linebacker.  Great Pick PantherNation.

Now, we have to turn our attention to Round 6.  We need more depth on the Offensive and Defensive Lines as well as our Secondary.  So vote today for what position we focus on next:  Offensive Lineman, Defensive Lineman, Safety, or Cornerback.  And follow me on Twitter for ongoing draft discussions at @PanthersDrafter.com

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Why the Panthers will Draft an Offensive Tackle in Round One

People that have been paying attention to David Gettleman and his ways have noticed one thing about him so far. He isn't shy about pulling in lower-end free agents.

There is quite a list of names there, including Ted Ginn, Jr., Drayton Florence, Quentin Mikell, Mike Mitchell and many others last year while pretty much anyone at WR with an NFL catch on the roster right now was signed just this this year.

Fans can "fan"tasize about the shiny newest model-of-the-week WR toy for Cam but after having signed what appears to be a "normal" haul of low-enders, Mr. Gettleman so far has neglected one area of great interest...and that is one of offensive tackle.

I'm not blaming him because the reasons are simple: There is a premium placed on pass rushers and even more of a premium on those who can stop most of them.

Have you noticed how, in recent years, the RB position has been devalued? The trend should continue in 2014's draft but instead of making a mistake in the top-five with a Trent Richardson (and a top-5 RB pick is an anomaly these days let alone to whiff on it), I would be very surprised to see any RBs taken in the first round at all.

The top-3 left tackles will be long gone by #28 overall. Even questionably-positioned tackle Zack Martin of the Fighting Irish should be gone. 

Backyard Ballers: Furman's Dakota Dozier

Hey gang. So far in our "Backyard Ballers" we've had two from S.C. and just Monday my fellow friends here at C-cubed did a great job interviewing Wake Forest WR Mike Campanaro.

Today I'm going to take a look at a guy who has a lot working against him - small school, unsexy position, and learning a new position in the NFL.

Dakota Dozier played left tackle at tiny Furman University - it's a small school in the upstate of South Carolina which has actually been a powerhouse over the years in their area of the pond.

Like many smaller-school tackles, Dozier is a guy who projects as a guard in the NFL. Remember, Amini Silatolu was the same way from Midwestern State and each season the NFL sees several college tackles coming in being drafted as interior linemen. 

Camp Coming To Charlotte According To PantherNation

Michael Campanaro is your overwhelming selection for Cam’s now weapon in Rd 4.  And I for one think it is the right call.  Camp, who was interviewed on this site Monday night, brings a unique combination of Wes Welker-like sneakiness and Antonio Brown –like completeness.  He’s not the biggest WR out there, but he does run a 4.44 40 and knows how to get open and very rarely will you see him drop a pass.  One eye-popping stat on this young man