First Round (#9) LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College
2nd Round (#40) OT/W Amini Silatolu, Midwest State
4th Round (#103) BY Frank Alexander, Oklahoma
4th Round (#104) WR Joe Adams, Arkansas
5th Round (#143) CB Josh Norman, Coastal Carolina
Sixth Round (#207) P Brad Norman, Wisconsin
Round Seven (#216) FS DJ Campbell, California
Analysis of notable selections:
Luke Kuechly: The Panthers allowed nearly 27 points per game last season. The team has needs at all levels of defense, but especially in the forward seven. Carolina passed up defensive lineman help for Luke Kuechly. The former Boston College star is one of the most instinctive linebackers in the draft in a long time. Kuechly is excellent at pass coverage and is a tackle machine. He was as safe an option as anyone in the 2012 NFL draft. The Panthers lost Dan Connor via free agency. Plus, it’s unlikely he’ll be able to count on Thomas Davis after a third ACL surgery on the same knee. Jon Beason is also coming back from a torn Achilles tendon and he may not be able to return to pre-injury form. The Panthers were in dire need of a linebacker, and Luke Kuechly should become an excellent NFL player. Kuechly’s exceptional dedication to the game will also allow him to eventually become one of the leaders of Carolina’s defense.
Amini Silatolu: Carolina could have added a defensive tackle (Kendall Reyes, Jerel Worthy or Devon Still), but opted to upgrade their offensive line. Cam Newton has a great future, but the Panthers still want a balanced offense and running the ball with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Newton will be at his best shooting plays and receiving the ball downfield. The Midwestern State offensive lineman played against marginal competition, but he seemed like a man among children. Larry Allen went to tiny Sonoma State, and that didn’t stop him from dominating the NFL. It would be highly speculative to compare Silatolu to Larry Allen, but he’s physically gifted and plays with a nasty demeanor. The Panthers absolutely needed a better play at guard and Silatolu is a strong run blocker. The Panthers could have an extremely powerful run-blocking line with the addition of Silatolu and a healthy Jeff Otah at right tackle. The Panthers probably made a wise decision to bolster their offensive line with the addition of Silatolu.
Frank Alexander: Carolina has to strengthen its front four and traded a 2013 sixth-round pick and third-round pick to San Francisco for its fourth-round pick. The former Sooner continued to improve each year and developed into a solid defensive end as a senior. Alexander doesn’t have an explosive outburst, but he’s a good run defender and plays hard. However, he may not have been worth trading a third-round pick in next year’s draft. Carolina hasn’t had much luck trading future picks to move up in the current draft (remember the Everette Brown trade).
Joe Adams: Armanti Edwards has been a huge disappointment as a punt returner and wide receiver. Carolina ranked 30th in punt return average last season and was poor overall on special teams. Joe Adams was a dynamic punt returner (4 TDs last season) at Arkansas because of his lightning quickness. Adams can also be an effective slot receiver and is strong for his size (5’10” and 180 pounds). The former Razorback was a good pick for the Panthers.
Josh Norman: The Panthers add a good-sized cornerback (6′, 196 pounds) who plays the ball well in the air. Norman was productive at Coastal Carolina, but has average speed. Norman will have to become a student of the game and more disciplined to make up for his lack of speed. Carolina passed on Juron Criner and the team still needs more wide receiver help for Steve Smith. Criner lacks speed, but he is very adept at catching the ball in traffic to keep drives alive and score touchdowns.
2012 NFL Draft Grade: B
Bottom line: Luke Kuechly will help the Panthers a lot on defense for years to come. The team also stayed true to their identity of wanting to run football by adding Amini Silatolu to the offensive line. Carolina was awful on special teams last year and Joe Adams and a new kicker should help improve this unit. The Panthers helped themselves in the 2012 NFL draft, but they probably gave up too much to add Frank Alexander at defensive end.
