Regardless of what transpires with the results of this year's NFL Draft for the Carolina Panthers, general manager Dave Gettleman has already produced better drafts in his two years at the helm than all but maybe one of the previous 12.
Sooner or later, all general managers have drafts that produce very little. This could be the year for the Panthers.
While nobody knows for sure how any draft will pan out until three or four years afterwards, giving grades based on what is known at the time is still a popular thing to do. With that being said, here are my grades for the Panthers, as well as what others around the nation had to say about their draft picks:
Carolina didn't address its need at left tackle with this pick. However, considering what a weak draft it was at that position, I had no problem with the Panthers going in a different direction, especially considering all their other positions of need.
That being said, the drafting of Thompson is a head-scratcher. Linebacker was already the strongest position group on the team. Thompson is a stellar athlete and an outstanding football player, but Carolina plans to put him in a position where the team is loaded. Moreover, he's a weakside linebacker, which is where stud Thomas Davis plays. Davis is expected to be around at least two more years -- maybe three or four. Where does that leave the undersized Thompson?
Then there was the fact that the Panthers were the only ones to bring Thompson in for a visit. Not one other team had him listed as a first-round selection. It stands to reason that there's a chance they could've grabbed him in the second round and used their first round choice on an immediate need.
Final analysis: Excellent football player taken too soon at a position that isn't of need. Grade: C+
Yes, Carolina desperately needed at least one wide receiver in this draft, but it preferrably would have been one with speed, not another tall target like Funchess. The Panthers already have that in second-year player Kelvin Benjamin. Funchess gives quarterback Cam Newton three huge targets to throw to now with Benjamin and tight end Greg Olsen already on the team. The problem is none have breakaway speed or the ability to gain much separation. They all tend to out-physical their opponent, but the game-breaker qualities just aren't there.
The plus side is that Carolina will be deadly inside the red zone with those three catching the ball and Jonathan Stewart pounding his way toward the goal line. The question is how many chances will the Panthers, who averaged only 21.3 points per game last season, get to score?
Final analysis: It was another curious pick of a player that seemed to duplicate what Carolina already has, especially considering they traded up to get him. Grade: C-
While the first two picks of Carolina grabbed all the attention, Williams quietly was a very solid choice. In fact, he may have been the best value for the Panthers in the entire draft.
Williams is extremely large and is an exceptional run blocker. He may not be the starter at the beginning of the season, but he very well could be by the time it's over. Pass blocking is his weakness, but with some quality coaching, he could be a solid right tackle for years to come.
But herein lies the problem: Williams is a right tackle, not a left tackle, which is more crucial for the Panthers. Carolina needed a right tackle, too, but this would have been an even better pick had the Panthers picked a left tackle earlier ... or even last year. Even so, it was still a solid selection for this point in the draft.
Final analysis: Carolina once again traded up to grab who it wanted. This one seems to be a much better choice. Grade: A-
To be perfectly honest, I have no clue why this pick was made. Who is considered the best middle linebacker in the NFL? And for what team does he play? That would be Luke Kuechly and Carolina, respectively.
The only guess here is maybe they'll turn Mayo into a safety since he's undersized as a linebacker. It's a given he'll play special teams, but is it really wise to draft a player this high solely for the special teams unless he's a kicker or returner? He was his conference's defensive player of the year, so obviously he knows how to tackle and make plays. If he's only on the field eight times a game on special teams, is the pick worth it?
Final analysis: While the first two picks were questionable, this one seems downright worthless ... unless they make him a safety, then there's a chance. Grade: D
This pick jumped out as a good one for several different reasons. It's common now for teams to be able to find quality running backs late in the draft, and Artis-Payne produced against the best college defensive players in the country on a weekly basis in the SEC. He's also used to big games.
Artis-Payne will challenge incumbent Fozzy Whitaker as Stewart's backup, but he should still see some action regardless if he's third string or not. If he proves he can catch the ball out of the backfield with regularity, his stock will increase.
Final analysis: Whitaker will help fill a void left with the departure of DeAngelo Williams. Grade: B
As stated earlier, because of his success in his two previous drafts with Carolina, Gettleman should be given the benefit of the doubt. Nonetheless, there were needs that weren't addressed and draft picks given away for players that are highly questionable.
Until proven otherwise, this was a shaky draft.
Knox Bardeen, Fox Sports South
It's impossible to grade how the Panthers did in the draft because there are so many question marks surrounding their first two picks, Shaq Thompson and Devin Funchess. First question: Where will they play? Thompson is a linebacker that won't see much time on the field (especially in sub packages) due to the talent ahead of him, but could earn serious time on the field at safety. Funchess is a towering target, but will he play tight end or receiver? Let's call this a boom or bust draft for Dave Gettleman. If both his first two picks find spots and pan out, they can wreak havoc for the Panthers in proper roles. If not, neither could realize even a small portion of their potential.
Mark Maske, Washington Post
The Panthers made a debatable pick in the opening round by taking Thompson. They did get an interesting player in the second round in Funchess but will have to figure out whether he will be a tight end or a wide receiver. Carolina lacked a third-round pick and probably needed to do more to maximize its early choices. Grade: C-
Charley Casserly, NFL Network
(Thompson) is my favorite player in the draft. Why? Because of his versatility as a linebacker. This guy's got speed, athletic ability, instincts and he plays downhill. And, oh by the way, I think he could start at running back for the Panthers. (With Funchess) he didn't run great at the combine. Carolina said they time him in the 4.4s. When I watched him in college on the tape, I did not see a 4.4 guy, more like a 4.65 guy. Thompson was my favorite player in the draft, but I thought of him more in the second round and Funchess in the third round pick. Obviously they saw him higher. Grade: B
Jason La Canfora, CBS
It's easy to jump on the Panthers. Could be that they are right and everyone else is wrong, but I couldn't find many people ready to dole out accolades. Thompson would have been there a round later, most figure, and he lacks a natural position. Offensive line, their biggest need, remains so. But when La'el Collins had legal issues and D.J. Humphries went one pick before they selected, it seems the Panthers went off the deep end. I couldn't get anyone to say much good about TE/WR Funchess. I don't like parting with a lot to move up to get him. This draft screams the Panthers will be as aggressive as anyone to try to land Collins as an undrafted free agent, assuming he's exonerated of any connection to the murder of a former girlfriend who may have been carrying his child. If he is who they thought he could be when evaluating him, and they get him as a college free agent, it could alter the scope of this draft.
Nate Davis, USA Today
After some wheeling and dealing, they ultimately ended up with just five selections. And they might have made major reaches with the first two â Thompson, whose position was a matter of debate leading up to the draft, and fellow 'tweener Funchess, who might be a wideout or tight end but could also be severely limited in either role. Draft Rank: 32nd
Don Banks, Sports Illustrated
The Panthers surprised a lot of people by taking Thompson in the first round, with Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis already in the fold. But Thompson is a highly athletic player who covers very well and could even put up a few reps at running back. Second-round pick Funchess is a big-bodied receiver who brings Kelvin Benjamin, last year's first-round pick to mind. Clearly, general manager Gettleman wants to give Cam Newton some very large targets. Oklahoma's Daryl Williams, taken in the third round, is a power blocker who fits this scheme. Texas State linebacker David Mayo could be a nice backup with special teams potential, and fifth-round back Cameron Artis-Payne out of Auburn is a thickly built back who will need to up his urgency to break into Carolina's thin rotation of backs. Grade: B-
