Carolina Panthers: Collating the Draft Busts
The Carolina Panthers have picked some good ones, but they have picked some stinkers. Who stinks most?
The Carolina Panthers gain traction by how often they get things right in the NFL Draft, but the Draft has a record of getting just as many things wrong as it does right. So David Newton of ESPN was tasked to figure out what the Panthers’ biggest draft bust was. He got the right answer, but first let’s explore the topic.
A draft bust is usually a player who does not pan out in the league. Mid-round picks are usually spared this designation because the players weren’t as highly considered as first rounders or second rounders. That can slightly change if those players are the target of trades involving over picks. Sometimes a player can be called a bust simply because a player taken below them turns out to be great – which is not really fair.
The Panthers do have first round picks that have been duds. Cornerback Rashard Anderson and defensive end Jason Peter fit this category. Those guys just never did anything to support their grade – like become starters.
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Jeff Otah was great for a year or two and then quickly came down to bust level thereafter. At least he had one good year in there.
Dwayne Jarrett was much hoped for and then never contributed much. Fortunately the Panthers also got Ryan Kalil in that draft round.
The Panthers also overvalued some guys who became busts. The Panthers traded a future first rounder to get FSU end Everette Brown, who did nothing. They traded a future second for App State wunderkind Armanti Edwards, who also never became the receiver they were hoping for.
Then there is the case of Jimmy Clausen, who had carried a first round grade in that draft before dropping into the second round. Cam Newton has essentially erased the John Fox season from the Panthers’ collective consciousness.
Next: Why Romo and Not Peppers?
No, David Newton called it right in his article. Even after looking at the Eric Sheltons of the world and the unfortunate injuries of the world there can be only one champion. That would be Rae Carruth, the guy who conspired to kill people.