Free agency is waning down and the Draft is just days away. It’s time to sit down and go over every teams free agent acquisitions and losses, along with their team needs. Using that information we will figure out a Plan of Attack for the 2012 Draft for each team. We’ll start with the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants and work our way down one day at a time, to the Indianapolis Colts and the first overall pick.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Team Needs: DT, G, WR, LB 
Free Agent Additions: QB Derek Anderson (resigned), DE Antwan Applewhite (resigned), S Haruki Nakamura, LB Kenny Onatolu, G Mike Pollak, OLB Jordan Senn (resigned), DB Reggie Smith, RB Mike Tolbert
Free Agent Losses: G Mackenzy Bernadeau, LB Dan Connor, WR Legedu Naanee, G Geoff Schwartz, G Travelle Wharton
Round 1:
Potential Targets: DT Dontari Poe, DT Fletcher Cox, DT Michael Brockers, LB Luke Kuechly, WR Michael Floyd, G David DeCastro
Round 2:
Potential Targets: DT Devon Still, DT Kendall Reyes, DT Brandon Thompson, WR Alshon Jeffrey, WR AJ Jenkins, WR Brian Quick, G Kevin Zeitler, G Kelechi Osemele, G Amini Silatolu
Round 3:
Potential Targets: No pick. Used to acquire Greg Olsen.
Plan of Attack: The Panthers are a tough team to predict as they have a few different needs that they could address with the 9th overall pick. There biggest need is a big run stuffing defensive tackle, and while Dontari Poe, or Fletcher Cox would make sense at 9, they should be able to wait and find one in the second round. So that leaves LB, WR, and G as targets. They are thin at guard after losing Mackenzy Bernadeau, Travelle Wharton, and Geoff Schwartz. They did add Mike Pollak in free agency but could be tempted by Stanford’s David DeCastro. They have had some injuries at linebacker and could target Boston College’s Luke Kuechly. They may also want to get another weapon for Cam Newton to grow old with. If they go that route then Michael Floyd would be their target. Steve Smith is getting up their in age and while they have high hopes for Bandon LaFell, Floyd would give them a physical receiver who could be a star and eventual no. 1 target.
If the Panthers take a position other than defensive tackle in round 1, then you better believe they’ll grab one in the second. There is a chance Penn St.’s Devon Still slides to them. He is 6’5 303 pounds and can move extremely well. He has the ability to collapse a pocket and can stuff the run. They could also see UCONN’s Kendall Reyes available. Reyes is a little leaner, but is extremely quick off the ball and should provide plenty of pressure up the middle. One last option at defensive tackle would be Clemson’s Brandon Thompson. Thompson is a thickly built, stout run defender, who could also provide some pressure.
View more Plans of Attack Here
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