2008 Carolina Panthers NFL Draft Needs

View our 2008 Carolina Panthers Predictions & NFL Picks!

Coach John Fox and GM Marty Hurney could both be on the hot seat if the Panthers fail to make the postseason in 2008. That makes this draft that much more important as they will need to evaluate talent which can step right in and perform this season. Find out where they will look first in this 2008 Carolina Panthers NFL Draft needs preview.

#1 Defensive End

Carolina must add at least one quality defensive end in this year's draft. Julius Peppers is coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro and is entering the final year of his contract and Mike Rucker is 33 years old and entering his 10th NFL season. Backups Stanley McClover and Charles Johnson don't appear to ever be capable of becoming full time starters. The Panthers should look to USC's Lawrence Jackson, Miami's Calais Campbell, and Florida's Derrick Harvey first.

#2 Safety

Chris Harris came over from Chicago to shore up the strong safety slot, but the Panthers are in desperate need of a quality free safety. I like the Panthers to use their 13th pick on Miami's Kenny Phillips if he is still on the board. This kid has strong cover skills and comes from a school deep in safety tradition. If the Panthers don't jump on him in round one, they should set their sights on Alabama's Simeon Castille.

#3 Receiver

Name a Carolina Panthers receiver other than Steve Smith. I don't think their opponents knew of any either because Smith was triple teamed at times last year. Carolina must get a solid number two wideout to take some pressure off of their star. The Panther's tried to fill this need with Dwayne Jarrett last season, drafting him in round two. Jarrett never got a feel for the playbook and played sparingly because of it. Cal's DeSean Jackson, Indiana's James Hardy, and LSU's Early Doucet would all be good fits.

#4 Offensive Tackle

The Panthers need to add depth at this position. They were able to resign left tackle Travelle Wharton and were hoping to do the same with right tackle Jordan Gross, but there is nothing behind them. Boise State's Ryan Clady will be hard for the Panthers to pass up if he slips to 13th.

#5 Running Back

DeShaun Foster's career is on a downhill slope as his legs are getting weary. DeAngelo Williams is waiting patiently and should see plenty of action this season. Carolina could really use a big, physical back to move the chains. Someone well suited for short yardage and goal line situations. If they could get a hold of Michigan's Mike Hart, Georgia Tech's Tashard Choice or Georgia's Thomas Brown in the later rounds, they will have stolen a gem.

Make sure you check out all of Jimmy Boyd's 2008 NFL Draft previews to see what direction your favorite NFL team might be headed in. Also check out our 2008 NFL Mock Draft to see how Jimmy sees the first round shaping up.

March 28th, 2008