Panther selections ESPN Bios

That should be short class...

 

5th Rd
11th ranked TE
Gary Barnidge
Strengths: Is tall and has much room on his frame to add bulk. Has long arms, has big hands and is reliable short-to-intermediate receiver. Plucks the ball well when on the run and shows the consistent ability to adjust to the poorly thrown pass. Does a fine job of locating soft spots in zone coverage and knows how to use his tall frame to shield linebackers and defensive backs from the ball. While lacks elite top-end speed, is fast enough to work the seam and flashes the ability to make lays downfield. He will consistently secure the ball in traffic and will look the ball in while taking a big hit. Takes solid angles as a blocker and is at his best when working in space. Does a good job of using his feet to get in position and fights as hard as he can to sustain. Attacks the thigh of the defender when goes low and is an effective cut blocker that can knock bigger defenders to the ground. He's a hard worker on and off the field. Continues to add bulk and gives good effort in the weight room. Has been durable throughout his career. Has experience long snapping and can contribute on special teams.

Weaknesses: Is lean and must add significant bulk to his frame. Really gets pushed around by stronger defenders. Plays with a narrow base and is typically overmatched physically as an in-line blocker. Displays marginal lower-body strength, struggles to hold his own in the phone booth and leaves his feet too often as a blocker. Also will struggle to sustain blocks even when in perfect position and locked on. Gets jammed too frequently at the line of scrimmage and needs to work on release. Footwork is inconsistent, rounds some cuts off and lacks ideal explosiveness so is going to have some problems separating from man coverage at the NFL level.

Overall: In his first three seasons at Louisville (2004-06), Barnidge appeared in 36 games (14 starts) and had 55 receptions for 836 yards (15.2 average) and 10 touchdowns. He played 12 games (four starts) in 2007, finishing with 53 receptions for 655 yards (12.4 average) and seven touchdowns. Barnridge sat out one game in 2005 because of a sore foot.Barnidge is a tall, lanky tight end/H-back prospect who catches the ball well, has good speed for his size and has the work ethic as well as the frame to improve as blocker but it's critical that he continues to add weight and gets stronger at the point of attack. In addition, he lacks ideal explosiveness so he projects as a fifth round pick.

 

Has experience long snapping and can contribute on special teams.

 

If we intend him to replace Kyle then I guess I understand it. Speaking of which, it was interesting and a bit sad to read Ross Tucker on SI talk about how borderline players watch the draft and can basically see their careers end with each team's selections.

 

6th Rd

Nick Hayden DT Wisconsin

Strengths: Possesses good height and adequate bulk with room on his frame to get bigger. Displays good overall strength and does a solid job of anchoring at the point of attack. Uses long arms to keep separation from blockers. Active and is a high-motor player whose hands and feet are always moving. Relentless, won't give up and always seems to be around the ball at the end of plays. Does an effective job of tying up blockers in a gap-control scheme, is disciplined and technically sound. Shows some power moves to collapse the pocket as a bull rusher when working one-on-one. Extremely durable and has been reliable throughout his career. Blocked an extra point attempt in 2006 can contribute on special teams.

Weaknesses: Not a great athlete. Shows adequate straight-line quickness but he's not an explosive penetrator and does not change directions very well. He needs to do a better job of locating the ball and disengaging from blocks once locked on. Still could add some bulk to his frame, especially if he's playing a two-gap and/or gap-control scheme in the NFL. Lacks first-step quickness and closing burst to be a legitimate factor as an inside pass rusher in the NFL.

Overall: In his first three seasons at Wisconsin (2004-'06), Hayden appeared in 31 games and registered 84 tackles (13 for losses), 5.5 sacks and four pass breakups. As a senior in 2007, he started all 13 games and had 48 tackles (8.5 for losses), 4.5 sacks, two pass breakups and a blocked kick. Hayden also had six career fumble recoveries and closed out his Badgers career having made 39 consecutive starts. Hayden is a durable, experienced player with adequate size and quickness. He gives solid effort and he's the type of prospect that will find ways to make a roster as a wave DT in the NFL. However, while he is a solid all-around player, Hayden does not have any special qualities physically so he projects as a sixth round pick

 

7th Rd

Hilee Taylor
OLB | (6'2", 236, 4.769) | NORTH CAROLINA
Scouts Grade: 30

 

Compensatory pick #1

Geoff Schwartz

Strengths: Engulfs undersized defenders, shows adequate lower body strength and flashes the ability to drive defenders off the ball. Extends arms and does an adequate job of walling defenders off once locked on. Drives legs and is relentless once in position. Takes adequate angles to blocks and flashes the ability to get into position at the second level on inside runs. Shows far better range than 40-time suggests and can get around the corner when asked to bull. Keeps head on a swivel, shows good awareness and can pick up the blitz in pas protection.

Weaknesses: Takes too many false steps, doesn't maintain good spacing when zone blocking and makes it far too easy for defenders to shoot inside gap. Mechanical and struggles to reach defenders lined up over inside shoulder. Plays with a narrow base, doesn't get great hand placement and slides off too many blocks. Gets caught flat footed, doesn't sink hips and gets driven back by bull rushers despite size. Loses balance at times, lacks the lateral mobility to recover once caught out of position and vulnerable to double moves. Takes too long to change directions and has problems adjusting to moving targets in space. Gears down when doesn't get into sound position, takes too many plays off and is inconsistent. Hesitates too much and doesn't play with enough of a mean streak. Missed 2007 spring practices after undergoing back surgery and durability is a concern. While has the frame to carry impressive bulk doesn't have great strength and may need to spend time in the weight room before pushing for substantial playing time.

Overall: Schwartz arrived at Oregon in 2004 and appeared in four games as a true freshman. In 2005, he started all 12 games at right tackle, and as a junior (2006) he played 12 games and made 11 starts  missing Portland State and Arizona games with a herniated disk. Schwartz had back surgery after the 2006 season and missed all of spring drills. As a senior last season, he started all 13 games. Schwartz has impressive size and he moves better than his size would suggest but he plays far smaller than his size would suggest as well and his lack of aggressiveness is reason for concern. Add in Schwartz's lack of ideal strength, deficient technique and poor balance and he projects as a seventh round pick.

 

these are much more fun to read if you skip the weaknesses.

 

oll

 

Gets rid of that false hope.