Panthers Draft Recap, Analysis and Grades

The 2014 NFL Draft is over. Let's review each draft pick the Carolina Panthers made:

Round 1, Pick 28 - Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

Round 2, Pick 60 - Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri

Round 3, Pick 92 - Trai Turner, OG, LSU

Round 4, Pick 128 - Tre Boston, S, UNC

Round 5, Pick 148 (in trade with Minnesota) - Bene Binwikere, CB, San Jose State

Round 6, Pick 204 - Tyler Gaffney, RB, Stanford

Now, let's analyze and give a grade to each pick. Each grade will be based on value and need.

Kelvin Benjamin - With WR Marqise Lee and offensive tackles Morgan Moses and Cyrus Kouandjio still available, the Panthers had to make the decision to fill one of their needs at WR or OT. They decided to go with Benjamin, who at 6'5" and 240 pounds is huge, almost built like a tight end. Benjamin has huge hands and the ability to jump high and snatch the ball out of midair. Cam Newton now has a new number one receiver, one that he won't overthrow.

Grade: B+

Kony Ealy - Many expected the Panthers to take either an OT or a CB here, but they surprised everyone by taking Ealy. A stud at Missouri, Ealy was projected by many to be taken in the first round. Some even had him in the top five. However, he fell all the way to the Panthers' pick at 60, and they weren't going to pass up on taking the best player available. With two great defensive ends in Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson, some may question this choice. However, if something happens with either of them, the Panthers now have a backup plan. Even if they both stay, having Ealy learn under both of them will only make him better.

Grade: B-

Trai Turner - A pretty good run blocker, Turner should be a big help to Carolina's offensive line, which seems to be their weak link right now. However, the Panthers were in need of a tackle, not a guard. As of right now, it seems Byron Bell will be replacing Jordan Gross at the tackle position, something that worries Panthers fans everywhere. Hopefully, Turner can become a solid pass blocker as well.

Grade: C

Tre Boston - Boston played for the Tar Heels, which automatically gives him at least a B in my book. Just kidding. Although a little inconsistent when it comes to tackling, Boston plays well at both the strong safety and nickel back positions. It was announced the other day that safety Charles Godfrey will be moving to cornerback, which should give Boston the opportunity to compete for the starting job. He will have to compete with Roman Harper and Thomas DeCoud.

Grade: C

Bene Binwikere - Good luck pronouncing his name. The Panthers saw the pool of cornerbacks dwindling in the fifth round, and traded up 20 spots from 148 with the Minnesota Vikings to 128 to take Binwikere. Minnesota received Carolina's fifth and seventh round picks in this trade. Binwikere has good size and fills a need for the Panthers at CB, but he needs to work on being more physical. He's also not very fast, and in a division with quick receivers, the Panthers need all the speed they can get in the secondary.

Grade: C-

Tyler Gaffney - When I first saw that the Panthers had drafted yet another running back, I nearly pulled my hair out. It just wouldn't be a Panthers draft without grabbing an RB. With so much money already tied up in a crowded backfield, the Panthers just made it even more crowded. Having DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Kenjon Barner and Mike Tolbert is enough. Gaffney is more of a short-yardage back, while he can also be used as a receiving back. However, the Panthers have Stewart and Tolbert to use as short-yardage backs, and all of their RBs are good receiving backs. I think this pick was simply for depth. Either Stewart or Williams will be cut once their contracts are up, so perhaps this was a pick for that time in the future. However, there were other needs that needed to be filled, so I don't like this pick.

Grade: D

Overall, I give the Panthers a grade of C for this draft. Not too great, but not too bad either. They addressed some needs and picked up some good talent.