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MVN writers mock draft: 13. Carolina Panthers - OT Ryan Clady, Boise State

NFL

By Sam Perkins

With the thirteenth pick in the MVN writers’ mock draft, the Carolina Panthers select Ryan Clady, offensive tackle from Boise State.

Depending on exactly what the team likes, this could also be Jeff Otah from Pittsburgh, but Clady seems to be ranked a smidgen higher.

This year, Carolina must go back to bolstering its line — its offensive line. Year after year, Carolina has bolstered its defense. And while it definitely looks like it was a perfect move to trade down in last year’s draft — not taking TE Greg Olsen as many had expected — to let beastly Miami linebacker Jonathan Beason fall to them, an easily stopped offense has significantly held back Carolina year after year.

That’s why it’s hard to see the Panthers investing in DE Derrick Harvey out of Florida. Yes, the guy is great, but it’s not likely Julius Peppers will repeat his 2007 funk, Tyler Brayton was signed in free agency, and Stanley McClover is definitely up-and-coming. The defense should be fine.

Running backs are easier to replace than quarterbacks, and as was seen last year, if you lose your star quarterback, that likely equates to a lost season. So if you know you’re always going to have a running game to rely on, there needs to be a good offensive line on which to rely. This, combined with the Panthers’ focus on the running game, emphasizes the importance of a good offensive line, and a good, consistent offensive line has simply been lacking for Carolina in recent years.

Last year’s starters G Mike Wahle and C Justin Hartwig are out. There’s a good bit of shuffling that will take place, but regardless, tackle is a glaring need. Travelle Wharton wasn’t cutting it last season, and Jordan Gross can’t bulldoze on his own.

Turn the offense from a hindrance to an asset, and the Panthers will be far more likely playoff-bound.

Sam Perkins is a columnist for MVN’s Carolina Panthers site, Eye of the Panther.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 15th, 2008 at 9:14 pm and is filed under Ryan Clady, Mock Drafts 2008, 2008 NFL Draft. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.