pick #2 -- dwayne jarret

really? surprised based on name alone I guess. Leak and Smith haven't been projected to go in the first two rounds for a while now.

 

If Colbert is smart, and I have no particular reason to think that he is, then we'll find out he's spent all spring and summer mastering punt returns.

 

Grossman might not be that good but he did lead his team to the Super Bowl. Leak will be a 7th rounder. I think it'd be cool if he ended up a Panthers draft pick. He is still really popular around Charlotte for how good he was in high school

 

From ESPN Insider:
Strengths: Possesses outstanding size. Is tall with a solid build and good overall strength. He is a fluid athlete for his size. Shows the ability to sink his hips and get in and out of breaks without gearing down. He uses his frame to effectively shield defenders from the ball. He has big, soft hands. Adjusts well to the ball and does a great job of catching the ball over his shoulder. Can pluck on the run and makes many spectacular catches in traffic. Not afraid to go over the middle. Will secure the ball and hold onto it when taking the big hit. He is a tough runner after the catch; will drag smaller defenders for yards after initial contact. He's a huge weapon in the red zone. Wins most jump-ball situations. Will give a decent effort as a blocker and displays the size and strength to hold his blocks once locked on.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal top-end speed. Does not separate from man-to-man coverage as well as a No. 1 receiver in the NFL should and he makes a lot of catches in traffic as a result. He does not display a second-gear to run away from defenders after the catch. Focus needs to become more consistent. There's some speculation regarding his work ethic being inconsistent. Minor character concerns due to NCAA violations in summer of 2006. Durability has been somewhat of an issue. He missed nearly three full games due to a separated shoulder early in 2006 season. He also suffered a mild-concussion vs. Cal in 2006.

Overall: Jarrett appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2004, started the final eight contests, and caught 55 passes for 849 yards (15.4 average) and 13 touchdowns. In 2005, he played in all 13 games with 12 starts and finished the season with 91 catches for 1,274 yards (14 average) and 16 touchdowns. Jarrett was declared ineligible by the NCAA for a brief period of time during the summer of 2006 when it was discovered that his roommate Matt Leinart's father was paying a portion of his rent. He was also detained by police on August 15th of that summer after receiving a ride to practice in a car that officers were investigating. In 2006, the first team All-PAC Ten selection started 11 out of the team's 13 games, missing the Washington State contest with a sprained shoulder and playing in but not starting the Washington game, and hauled in 70 passes for 1,015 yards (14.5 average) and 12 touchdowns.
Jarrett has shown the ability to take over a game thanks to his outstanding size, hands and athletic ability. However, Jarrett lacks elite speed and he still has too many lapses in focus. Minor durability and character alerts shouldn't affect his draft stock significantly. He will never be an elite No. 1 receiver in the NFL, but he can become a quality No. 2 possession receiver if used properly. If so, Jarrett will become a good value for the team that selects him in the bottom-half of the first round.

About the selection
Dwayne Jarrett joins Keyshawn Johnson in Carolina. The truth is receiver isn't a great need for the Panthers but Jarrett is a great value here and, oddly enough, he could eventually replace Johnson when the times comes for him to step down. It makes because both make up for their lack of ideal speed with fluid route running and by using their wide frame to shield defenders from the ball.

 

Jarrett is a player, no doubt. He went off on some top notch teams in college. It just matters what kind of attitude he brings to the Carolina Panthers. He certainly did not look happy coming to Carolina, but like Collin said it probably has to do with moving on the other coast and playing behind two receivers.

 

fixed.

About him returning kicks--he doesn't strike me as the type with that kind of necessary speed....plyus I think his work ethic can be called into question since he was inactive for what, the back half of the season?

 

Doesn't have that burst you look for, and I've never really trusted him as a ball carrier. It would be nice if he learned. They had him returning some last spring, and having a #5 WR/KR would be great, but I don't expect that to happen. Hell, if he could play special teams in any capacity it would be helpful.

Deactivating him for Taye Biddle says a lot.

 

It would help him a lot, that's all he's gonna be able to get a job at. If that.

 

Jarret doesn't strike me as anything but another USC WR coming out with flashy numbers and concerns about speed and work ethic...I am not at all excited about this pick, my expectations are low so all he can do is suprise me.