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 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

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:

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

Time to Pick a Linebacker in Round 5!

Don't Mock the Draft, Decide It RD 5!

With four rounds in the rearview mirror, PantherNation realizes this is the part of the draft that wins championships. (Click here to see picks 1-4)   Though a close vote in the latest Carolina Cat Chronicles poll, you want to see the Panthers take a LB at pick #168.  Good choice, we need depth behind Thomas Davis and Chase Blackburn.  We have AJ Klein who shows promise, but we need more depth for sure.  And in the 5^th RD we are also looking for that Special Teams Ace if possible.  Below are five candidates for your consideration.  Vote today.

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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

Pick Another Toy For Cam in Round 4!

Don't Mock the Draft, Decide It RD 4!

So far, PantherNation has selected Mach 7 Brandin Cooks in Rd 1, Hog-Molly Jack Mewhort in Rd 2 and top-flight Corner Pierre Desire in Rd 3.  Now you have spoken again and overwhelmingly want another toy for Cam to play with on Sundays.  Taking a look at the current roster, Cooks provides the deep threat and home run capability, Cotchery and Avant provide the steady and experienced veterans that will teach the young guys how to be Professionals.  Now we need a guy that can grow with Cam that can be that go-to guy in terms of being able to convert on third down and can grow along with Cooks and Cam. 

This year’s WR Draft class is the deepest in recent memory.  Take a look at the below five quality candidates that we can nab in the 4th RD.  All would look good in Carolina Black & Blue.  So who’s it going to be?  It is highly doubtful that the Panthers take three Wide Receivers so make this vote count. 

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1.      Michael Campanaro-  This “Backyard Baller” out of Wake Forest reminds this analyst a lot of Wes Welker.  Camp once caught 16 passes in a single game and would complement Cooks, Avant and Cotchery nicely as he brings a different dimension.  He has been worked out by the Panthers and is going to be interviewed live on this website on Monday April 14^th at 10:00 PM EST.  Tune in and learn more. For now, watch this and “Camp out with Campanaro:”

PantherNation Chooses Corner Back for Round 3!

DON'T MOCK THE DRAFT: 3rd RD 

Panther Nation’s closest vote yet came to a close and our choice is for a Corner Back in Round 3.  There is no denying this unit needs an infusion of talent.  So who’s it going to be Panther Nation?  Vote now from the below candidates to have the next Carolina Island named after him:

1.      Stanley Jean-Baptiste- This WR converted to Corner Back out of Nebraska is the  prototypical “new-age” Corner Back made en vogue by Seattle.  Long and instinctive defender measuring in at 6’3, 218 lbs.  He’s a little stiff in the hips but has a knack to make the big play and will be a hot commodity on Draft Day

2.     Keith McGill- Another lengthy and physical athlete out of Utah.  At 6’3 211, he runs a sub 4.45 40.  Look for McGill to rise up the board on Draft Day

3.     Pierre Desir- This is another long corner back at 6’1 198 lbs.  Exceptional athlete with solid mechanics.  Small school product that may take a little time to adjust to elite competition, but very high ceiling.  Recently met with the Panthers

4.    Marcus Roberson-  This Florida Gator is a very talented and intriguing prospect.  Also good size at 6’0 191 lbs. and is flying under the radar due to missing much of last season due to injury.  But look for this fluid athlete to turn heads in his rookie season

5.    Victor Hampton- This Charlotte native isn't the ideal size but is very effective.  At 5’9 197 lbs., this sparkplug plays with a chip on his shoulder and would instantly become our Nickel Back and is a punt returner as well.  Captain Munnerlyn 2.0?

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Make this vote count Panther Nation.  Who is going to be the guy to shut down Julio Jones, Vincent Jackson and Marques Colston for years to come?  Follow me on Twitter @PanthersDrafter for updates and ongoing Panthers discussions.

Who Do You Pick As Your Tackle Of The Future?

Don't Mock the Draft, Decide It RD 2:

Well PantherNation, you have spoken and clearly said that we need an Offensive Tackle in Round Two after going with the dynamic Brandin Cooks in Round One.  Now we have to decide who we are going to trust to protect Cam for the next decade.  Below are five worthy candidates that will have a great chance of being available at Pick #60.  Take a careful look at each one and make your vote count.

1.      Billy Turner- At 6’6, 314 lbs., this two-time All-American started 56 out of 57 games in college and has already met with the Panthers.  In 2013, Turner started all 15 games at Left Tackle and gave up exactly zero sacks

2.    Cyrus Kouandjio-  At 6’7, 322 lbs., this massive man was First-Team All-American playing in the competitive SEC.  Interesting stat is that Cyrus opened holes for eight straight 100-yard games.  Rumors of issues with his knee are causing this First-Round talent to drop to Pick #60

3.    Jack Mewhort- At 6’6, 309 lbs., this All-American out of Ohio State is an intriguing prospect that has shown the ability to play all five positions along the offensive line.  This guy could potentially start at either Tackle or Guard spot for the Panthers on Day One

4.    Joel Bitonio- At 6’4, 302 lbs., this tough nosed Tackle out of Nevada plays with a nasty streak and finishes plays as well as any lineman in the draft.  He is able to play any position on the line which is invaluable on Sundays

5.     Seantrel Henderson- At 6’7, 331 lbs., this Hog Molly looks the part.  He is absolutely massive and shows above average athleticism.  Though off the field troubles and a back surgery makes Henderson a bit of a boom or bust proposition

Now that you know your options PantherNation, go vote and make your voice heard.  And follow me, @PanthersDrafter, on Twitter for ongoing discussions about the Panthers and the upcoming Draft.

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Why did we pick Brandin Cooks?

PantherNation has spoken and Brandin Cooks is our choice for Pick #28 in the upcoming Draft on May 8.  The voting was close, and certainly some will stomp their feet wishing we picked their guy.  But all of PantherNation is smarter than anyone of us.  So let’s take a deeper look and see why PantherNation chose Cooks.  We all know that we were 29th in passing last year, and that we lost our deep threat and punt returner in Ted Ginn, Jr.  Oh yea, we also lost our #1 Receiver in Steve Smith.  Cooks would immediately fill all of these roles.  He would be the #1 Receiver by default and with his 4.33 speed, he would be the one to take the top off the defense along with being an explosive punt returner. Still not convinced? True, there are a lot of other good options at 28.  A lot of other players are explosive too.  So why this guy?  Here is why I like the pick:  Brandin Cooks loves both football and what it can mean to his family.  He lost his father when he was only six years old and that had a dramatic impact on him and his siblings. All of this motivates this young man to be the best.  Read this article by the Oregonian to get a better idea of where this kid comes from and why he will be successful.

This 2013 Biletnikoff Award Winner reminds me of a lot of Steve Smith and you can’t argue with a great nickname either. Check out this video to see why the name Mach 7 fits.

This guy will make you get you out of your chair and I’m proud of PantherNation for making this selection.

Now granted, we do have other needs including Offensive Linemen and help in the Secondary.  Thankfully this is a deep draft and there are other Picks left to make. I agree that the Panthers need to invest a high round draft choice in this game-changing playmaker like Brandin Cooks.  Now the next step in letting your voices be heard is to decide what position we select at Pick #60.  You choice PantherNation:  WR, OT, CB or Safety?  Vote today  

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Carolina Panthers' Backyard Ballers: Clemson's Left Tackle Brandon Thomas

This is the first of a series of articles, titled Backyard Ballers, which will spotlight draft prospects from the Carolinas.  As a fan focused site, we too love our hometown boys.  Let's cheer those backyard ballers and follow them in their transition from Carolina colleges to the pros.  We wish they call could become successful Panthers one day, but we know that is unrealistic.  Their path may not go through Charlotte, but they will always be Carolina ballers to us!

Brandon Thomas, Clemson LT. 

We've all heard of Clemson University's Sammy Watkins of course. He's considered the top prospect in the entire nation at wide receiver and in a class replete with talent at the position. He and in-state rival Jadeveon Clowney get all the (non-quarterback) press, and frankly it's unusual for the state of South Carolina to have so much attention on multiple kids heading into the draft.

With so much attention on Watkins, Clemson's offensive guard Brandon Thomas has largely escaped the spotlight and that's exactly why I wanted to do a little digging to see what I could find out about him so I could relay that info to you, our loyal readers.

Also, since the Carolina Panthers are in need of an offensive lineman - or three - there remains a very good possibility that they could write down Thomas' name on a draft card in May, so let's take a look, shall we?

Don't Mock the Draft, Decide It - Phase II. You pick the Receiver

PantherNation has overwhelmingly spoken as to what position you want to see chosen at #28.  That is phase one of the “Don’t Mock The Draft, Decide It…” series by my friends here at Carolina Cat Chronicles.  Now, for phase two, we need to check out five candidates that could be the next Panther star to make memories with Cam Newton.  Below (and in no particular order) are the five that I believe will be there at Pick #28 and a little about why they could be the one.  You decide:

1.      Odell Beckham Jr.- As the Panthers Analyst for DraftTek.com, I get more requests for OBJ than anyone else.  This dynamic WR out of LSU is a playmaker with exceptionally large hands and a knack for the big play that would look good in Panther Blue.

2.    Brandin Cooks- Also known as Mach 7, this Biletnikoff Award-Winner looks a lot like #89 to me and would be a shot in the arm to our 29^th ranked offense.

3.    Jordan Matthews- At 6’3, 206 lbs., this First Team All-American out of Vanderbilt played against top competition every week and excelled. Jordan may very well be the most pro ready receiver of the group. Very low bust potential.

4.    Allen Robinson- Another big option for Cam.  This All-American out of Penn State set the school’s receptions record with 77 last year.  He is fundamentally sound and makes things look easy.

5.     Devante Adams- This Two-time All-American out of Fresno State is also a big target at 6’2 210 lbs.  An amazing stat for Devante is that he caught a TD in 22 out of the 26 games he played in.

RD 1: Panther Fans on the Clock

Make your voice heard throughout this process; don’t forget to vote.  And you can follow me on twitter @PantherDrafter for ongoing draft discussions.  And as always, Keep Pounding.

10 Cornerbacks the Carolina Panthers are Watching at the 2014 NFL Combine

“Not to call those guys [Carolina] out, but their secondary is probably their weakest link on their defense

                                                                                     --Santonio Holmes          

Holmes caught more flack than footballs for his comments while in Carolina, not because they were disrespectful, but because he was right.  

Crazy talk huh? The #2 overall defense, supported by the #6 pass defense, could only be so weak you would think. The truth though is that Carolina’s secondary played better than they really are in 2013. It’s foolish to expect this caliber of play regularly going into 2014 from a piecemeal squad of war-weary veteran journeymen, thought to be bust and cuts, an undrafted free agent, and a tenacious miniature man. Sorry, the truth hurts.

The secondary is the weak link.  I can’t remember any game where I wasn’t nervous that Carolina’s pass rush may be bottled up, leaving the secondary to fend for themselves. The chance of being torched was all too real.  Remember Seattle. Buffalo. Arizona. New Orleans. Oh and San Francisco?

Fan chatter to this point has mostly harped on signing Greg Hardy to establish potentially one of the best defensive lines ever, getting Cam more protection, and adding a potent wide receiver to the mix.  Fans have seesawed consistently between offensive tackle and wide receiver when speculating about Carolina’s 1st Rd pick.  Speculation concerning Carolina strengthening the secondary in the draft has been sparse.

Here’s a peek at 10 cornerbacks the Panthers will surely have their eyes on at this weekend’s combine.

1st Rd Stunners: Not many fans believe that Carolina will pick a CB at #28 given Gettleman’s professed love for hogmollies and the glaring need for a WR. There’s more depth at offensive tackle and wide receiver than at defensive back, however.  If strengthening the secondary turns out to be Dave Gettleman's top priority, he may have to look to the 1st Rd for a sure impact.

Marcus Roberson, FSU- (6’0, 195 lbs) The Florida cornerback, who was courted by Auburn, chose to stay close to home, playing a significant role in Florida’s resurgence over the past two years. He’s a big, physical corner, who has the tendency to get a bit handsy.  He has quick feet and hip movement.  He isn’t the greatest tackler, and durability will be a concern for the Panthers while evaluating Roberson.  He missed five games in 2013 with knee and foot injuries. The combine will be important for Roberson. There are some minor character concerns, so Roberson will have to interview well and check out well with the doctors. He doesn’t have the fanfare of other corners, but there is a big upside to him if he can stay healthy.

Bradley Roby, OSU (5’11, 192 lbs) Has good size and amazing speed.  Word around Ohio is that Roby once ran a 4.26/40yd and consistently runs 4.3 speed in practice. This is the type of speed can’t be taught and would allow Roby compete with speedy wideouts like Mike Wallace, who torched the Panthers secondary in 2013. He has great ball skills and instincts, and isn’t afraid to jump a route, step up in rush coverage, or layout a big boy. The great news is that Roby has a lot of room to improve, but demonstrates the talent to become a top NFL corner. He had a humbling last year in Ohio that I think will pay dividends in the NFL. Roby has seen how the hype can dissipate quickly.  He has already been introduced to the idea that people’s views of a player’s potential and value hinges only on what they did in the last game.  Expect Roby’s stock to rise after the combine.  His sheer athleticism will impress and #28 may even be a stretch.

2nd Rd Realities: Not many fans believe Gettleman will go after a corner in the 2nd Rd. Cornerback is one of the harder positions to fill at the pro level. Generally, the drop off is distinct from the 1-2 round prospects and round 3-4 players. Often if you are going to grab a corner that will make a difference quickly, it happens by the 2nd round. This may be the factor that forces Gettleman to consider a defensive back ahead of a wide receiver or offensive tackle.

Kyle Fuller, VT (6’0, 194 lbs)- He may just be the hidden gem of the draft.  Fuller is a hard worker, has a solid game, and has been predicted by some to be the #3 overall corner in the draft.  He’s tough, fast, big, and has the chops to make it in the pros.  He isn’t graded as a first round talent, but he has the upside of one. He predicts routes well, plays the ball, and has the speed to keep up downfield. Fuller did have a serious groin tear that ended his senior season early.  He doesn’t always have the best tackling technique, but he is tough and aggressive. Durability will be the concern for NFL GMs evaluating Fuller. His season ending injury may depress his stock enough for the Panthers to make a move in the 2nd Rd.

Louchiez Purifoy, FL (6’0 190)- Here’s a guy that could legitimately be on the board at  #60 who probably shouldn’t.  He has an NFL physique, Bradley Roby like speed, and good football instincts. Purifoy had a standout sophomore season in 2012, registering 51 tackles, 3 INTs, and 5 PDs. His junior year wasn’t as impressive, notching only 27 tackles, 0 INTs, but he did force three fumbles.  His pass breakups also went down significantly...to zero. Purifoy’s performance is somewhat puzzling and there are some questions surrounding him that GMs will be trying to answer in combine interviews.  Purifoy was suspended a game to start the season after being arrested for marijuana possession. The charges were eventually dropped, so the offense appears rather minor, but it won’t help his draft status in light of diminished production. Purifoy also left a year early under some bewildering circumstances. Some have suggested that both he and Florida were ready to part ways, causing him to enter the draft early, despite a less than stellar junior season.  Purifoy has some real potential and, with 4.37 40yd speed, he will be hard to pass up in the 2nd.  

3rd Rd Reaches: Most fans believe the Panthers will draft an offensive lineman or wide receiver in the 1st. If Carolina does draft a hogmolly first, the likelihood of drafting a corner in the 3rd increases significantly. No matter how deep this receiver class may be, once you get to the 3rd round it becomes exponentially more difficult to land a receiver that can be an immediate contributor. In this case, Carolina will likely look to add a receiver in the 2nd to avoid taking on a developmental offensive prospect in the 3rd. Here are a few guys that could be helpful 3rd round additions if a secondary need has yet to be addressed. .

Carolina Panthers' 1st Rd Draft Surprise: Allen Robinson, WR

Jaws would drop. Fans would stand shocked as Roger Goodell announced, “at 28th pick the Carolina Panthers draft Allen Robinson, wide receiver from Penn State University.”  What? With a name like Benjamin, Cooks, Landry, Beckham, Jr., or Matthews still on the board and Gettleman’s love of the “hogmolly,” how could the accomplished, but rather unacclaimed pick from Penn jump into the 1st? McShay and Kiper will talk of Robinson’s talent and upside, how they like what they saw from him, but they will also drone endlessly that Robinson could been grabbed mid to late 2nd Rd.  

Ludicrous, right?  I mean the team’s 1st Rd. pick on a guy who would be the #3 option for the season.  Shouldn’t the Panthers look for a more immediate impact player? It just wouldn’t make sense—at first glance that is.  Fans may be stunned if Robinson was picked at #28, but they wouldn’t be disappointed.  

There’s a lot overlooked about Robinson that has prevented him from infiltrating top wide receiver draft boards. Robinson has the characteristics of a star NFL wideout: big, good hands, a good route runner, smart, hardworking, and can jump out the gym. Not to mention, he doesn’t appear to have any diva, so often associated with wideouts.  What is most overlooked about this potential star is his road to the draft.  His football past, or lack thereof, has contributed to draft prognosticators’ skepticism.  Robinson could just leap into the 1^st Rd, become the #1 receiving option in Carolina after Smith retires and, in the end, be one the best overall talents of 2014 NFL draft.  

If he is so good and has so much potential, why isn’t everyone talking him up?  I mean his draft stock should be trending up by now.  Outside of Pennsylvania, people just haven’t seen enough of him yet to draw national fanfare.  

Robinson’s Road

Robinson wasn't one of those high school kids that had the big press conference on college signing day.  His high school career didn’t garnered that much attention from big college programs.  He had played more basketball than football, missing a full football season from growing pains.  Yea, growing pains! Robinson grew 6” inches just before his sophomore year gained more than 35lbs before he left St. Mary’s prep.

The three star recruit who wasn’t seen as a starter, let alone a star, recorded only 3 catches for 29 yards his freshman year. Still skinny for his height, Robinson continued to grow both physically and as a player when Bill O'Brien took over the troubled program.  Robinson exploded during his sophomore and junior season in O'Brien’s pro-style offense, “winning back to back Big 10 receiver of the year awards.”  Robinson opted to enter the NFL draft, a year too early according to some, after O'Brien’s departure.  

Reasons Robinson Will Succeed

Work Ethic and Football Intelligence:

Robinson wasn’t ordained a star from the beginning.  He had to work hard to prove his worth to the Nittany Lions after a 3 rec/25 yds freshman year.  Instead of becoming downtrodden, Robinson used this as motivation in the offseason, pushing himself mentally and physically.  Commenting on his determination and improvement, Bill O’Brien stated:

“He worked extremely hard on his own game, getting stronger, getting faster, and getting quicker. He worked hard with Christian when he arrived here. You have to give him a lot of credit for the year he’s having. He’s done a really good job to date this year.”

Robinson has a lot of skill, talent, and physical ability.  Nevertheless, it’s his maturity and level-headedness that really makes him a special player.  He has a collected demeanor that seems unshakable and isn’t above putting his head down and working hard to get better.  These characteristics usually differentiate talented prospects from top NFL talents.  Former coach O’Brien, now Houston Texan head coach, praised,

“Allen Robinson is a very smart guy. He’s very football smart and he’s very smart off the field. He’s just an intelligent guy. He really worked hard this offseason to improve his individual skill set...“He works extremely hard at the game, studies the game. He’s a fantastic kid.”

Skill Set and Potential

 The hard work paid off in Robinson’s sophomore season, when he became the best wide receiver season in Penn St. history.  After surpassing names like Bobby Ingram with 77 catches in his sophomore campaign, he shattered his own record by catching 97 balls from a freshman during his junior season. He has great size (6’3, 208), with room to get bigger. He’s a surprisingly good route runner for what was a very short college career.  Oh and did I mention the boy can has great hands and can jump out the gym? I mean look at this catch against Michigan.

Final Assessment

It will come down to Robinson’s 40 yard time at the combine.  Everyone wants to know, does this kid have NFL speed?  There are varying reports on his 40 time.  One Penn St. resource unofficially clocked at 4.43 and CBS has him listed much slower at 4.56.  GMs will be looking at this measurement during the combine. He will only get stronger, more refined, and he has the ups, but is he fast?  Can he be a threat downfield? Few are expecting Robinson to a 4.36, but if he clocks a 4.46, he should be a 1st Rd draft pick!  I would be ecstatic if it were the Panthers who landed him. Robinson has the ability to contribute now, that’s not what excites me most about him.  Robinson has the potential to be great.  He’s got it physically and mentally. I’d love to see it happen in Carolina!