The Carolina Panthers had the best day one of any team.
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by user DraySpittle
Yeah, I know I'm a huge homer, but I'm probably one of the biggest critics of John Fox's drafts in the past, because outside of the first round, we haven't done all that well. However, the recent change in philosophy of drafting the best player available seems to be paying dividends.
The first pick I'll use to prove my point wasn't a pick at all, but a trade. Carolina traded their 14th overall pick and their 6th round pick for the New York Jets' 25th overall, 69th overall, and their 5th round pick.
With the 25th pick in the first round, the Panthers selected linebacker Jon Beason from Miami. With Dan Morgan's injury history, and Chris Draft moving on to the St. Louis Rams, linebacker became a pretty important need. Beason, while a bit undersized for linebacker, can play all three positions, and figures to challenge Na'il Diggs for a starting spot.
With the 45th overall pick, the Panthers selected USC wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett. Keyshawn Johnson likely won't be around after this season, and Jarrett fits Johnson's mold. He was projected as a possible first-round pick, but lack of speed caused him to drop the the second round. However, Keyshawn will teach him how to use his size and body to go up and get passes in the NFL, and he will eventually be a great possession receiver, and an immediate slot receiver for Carolina.
With the Jet's 69th pick, Carolina went back to USC to select Center Ryan Kalil. Kalil was ranked as the best center in the draft, and I personally had him as the second-best offensive lineman in the draft next to Joe Thomas. In an offensive line decimated by injuries in 2006, Kalil is a big insurance policy, and figures to start at guard or center even if Travelle Wharton is 100% at the start of the season. Not to mention, his athleticism fits in perfectly with new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson's zone-blocking scheme.
All three of these picks were projected first rounders, and Carolina didn't have to trade up to get them.
Carolina's final selection, number 83 overall, was used on Georgia defensive end Charles Johnson. Georgia's other, more highly-touted defensive end, Quentin Moses, garnered most of the attention from NFL scouts, and Johnson's decision to enter the draft as a junior hurt his stock when he was projected to be a top 15 pick if he had stayed at Georgia and continued to produce. Nevertheless, Kiper himself had him as a first rounder shortly after the combine. Here, he's a good insurance policy against Mike Rucker likely not being ready at the start of the season, and can split time with 2006 rookie defensive end Stanley McClover.
So there you have it, at least three first-round prospects taken with only one first round pick. Can any other teams say the same? Go ahead and tell me why your team had a better day, if you can. Eagles fans need not apply.
Ross was a good pick, Smith went about where he was projected, and Alford was a reach in my opinion. He would have been there in the fourth round.
Detroit's going to get a lot of votes simply because they had the balls to pick Johnson. Stanton and Alama-Francis were both good picks, but not great. They both went about where they were projected based on rankings.
By the way, I'm going on player rankings, not mock drafts. The first three picks I have listed were all in the top 27 or so in most rankings.