PANTHERS DRAFT CAPSULES
THIRD ROUND, 67TH OVERALL
S/CB CHARLES GODFREY, IOWA
5-11, 207
• What he does: Runs and hits. A physical and aggressive player who'll immediately help on special teams, Godfrey's also got the skills to play several spots on defense. Extremely fast (4.45 40 at the combine and has run sub-4.4s). Can play corner in a pinch, making him valuable for sub packages.
• Where he fits: They're going to start him at free safety, where he'll compete with veteran free agent Terrence Holt for a starting job. If nothing else, he's a more physically talented backup than they have on hand.
• Who he compares to: He's got a little Mike Minter in him, based on his eagerness to come up and hit, along with his speed. But let's not compare him to a decade-long institution just yet.
THIRD ROUND, 74TH OVERALL
LB DAN CONNOR, PENN STATE
6-0, 237
• What he does: Tackles people, and often. Leaves the storied linebacker tradition as the school's all-time leading tackler, despite missing three games in 2005 after being suspended for making a series of crank calls. Has played on the weakside and the middle, and figures to back up both places here.
• Where he fits: He'll probably back up in the middle initially, since there's more traffic (Landon Johnson, Na'il Diggs) on the weak side. Ultimately, he probably makes Adam Seward obsolete, making the Patriots wise to not sign him to an offer sheet and give up a fifth-rounder.
• Who he compares to: College scouting director Don Gregory invoked Jon Beason's name, saying "he's just a good football player." Connor's not as fast, but he has been productive at a high level. His slower 40 times (4.67) dropped his stock, but they thought he was a late-first-, early second-rounder.
FIFTH ROUND, 141ST OVERALL
TE GARY BARNIDGE, LOUISVILLE
6-6, 247
• What he does: Catches the ball well. Had 53 receptions for 655 yards (12.4 per) and seven touchdown last year. A lean-framed player, who's not ever going to be a big blocker, but he can add something in the passing game. He can also long-snap, and you know the saying here, "The more you can do, ..."
• Where he fits: They now have a fleet of different players at the position. Jeff King's the more conventional one with the size to block (if not the ability), Dante Rosario's more of an H-back, movement player, and Barnidge could be the straight downfield receiving threat. He's getting bigger, too, having gained 12 pounds since the season to prepare for his new role.
• Who he compares to: He's actually quite a bit like Rosario, in that he's smooth as a receiver and can block on the move better than in-line, but he's a much bigger target downfield.
SIXTH ROUND, 181ST OVERALL
DT NICK HAYDEN, WISCONSIN
6-4, 291
• What he does: He's stout against the run, and plays bigger than he looks. He's long-armed and strong, getting 34 repetitions of the 225-pound bench press at the combine. Had 4.5 sacks last year after managing 5.5 in his first three.
• Where he fits: In Charlotte, possibly in the game-day rotation. The Panthers are so thin at the position, anybody with a pulse is going to have a shot at a uniform.
• Who he compares to: Let's see, ... undersized, non-descript effort guy from the upper Midwest, ... I'm going Jordan Carstens.
SEVENTH ROUND, 221ST OVERALL
DE HILEE TAYLOR, NORTH CAROLINA
6-3, 236
• What he does: Undersized pass-rusher, had 10.5 sacks for the Tar Heels last year. A high-character player who was loved by coaches and helped spark a bit of a turnaround there last year. In this range, you look for a guy who'll work or a guy with one discernible skill, and he's got both.
• Where he fits: Probably the practice squad. The Panthers have their experimental pass-rush specialist in Stanley McClover already. Maybe he can hang around on the Otis Grigsby fellowship while he either beefs up or learns a new position.
• Who he compares to: Not that he's going to be a Robert Mathis, but he's the kind of too-little energy rusher Indianapolis always seems to have luck with.
SEVENTH ROUND, 241ST OVERALL
T GEOFF SCHWARTZ, OREGON
6-7, 335
• What he does: Takes up space, and a lot of it. The developmental phase of the Panthers' new line paradigm. He's a three-year starter, who lacks any kind of quickness, but he's big and strong. Had back problems in 2006, but had surgery to repair a herniated disc and seemed better for it.
• Where he fits: Maybe at tackle, maybe at guard, mostly on the third string.
• Who he compares to: Think Frank Omiyale, but thicker. He's a big, slow-footed mauler worth checking out.
SEVENTH ROUND, 250TH OVERALL
G MACKENZY BERNARDEAU, BENTLEY (MASS.)
6-4, 298
• What he does: Surprise people. He's a Division-II all-star who they scoped out at Boston College's pro day. He's young and athletic and worth a shot. Flourished when moved inside to guard, and was so dominant he earned All-American honors even though he tore a meniscus in his left knee during the sixth week of the season. Might even be able to play center.
• Where he fits: See above. He's the kind of prospect you can groom on the practice squad for a year before you have to make a decision. The last time a Bentley product rolled through here, Stephen Davis was driving it out of the parking lot.
• Who he compares to: Maybe Joe Berger, the guy they pulled from Michigan Tech, who now plays in Dallas. Either him or those kids from the movie "Hoosiers." Small school, underdog, but they've got a shot.
This story was originally published April 28, 2008 at 12:03 AM with the headline "PANTHERS DRAFT CAPSULES."