....the Carolina Panthers represented by August West select....

Ryan Clady, offensive tackle, Boise State

Ideally, the Panthers would probably want a D-lineman here, so Philip Merling is a possibility.  DT is a bigger need, but there just isn't a great value pick at this spot.

With that in mind, I think the Panthers have to take Ryan Clady.  DeAngelo Williams (Memphis represent!) was drafted to be the franchise RB 2 years ago, but he's struggled to really breakout because of hideous O-line play.  Their QBs are most likely going to be terrible (Moore, Carr and Testaverde) so they'll need as much time as possible to try and get Steve Smith the ball.

By getting left tackle many teams rate as a top 10 talent, they can move Wharton inside and make a position of weakness a point of strength.  A vastly improved O-line could give Williams the seams he needs to fulfill his immense potential.

Chris Williams, Clady and Otah seem to be graded pretty closely to one another, so any of them work.  I just picked Clady because he's the one who slides into the top 10 most often, he's a junior with less wear-and-tear on him and I'm already enough of a Vandy homer when it comes to this draft.

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