Help should be on the way soon for Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith, says former Dallas Cowboys scouting guru Gil Brandt.
Brandt, now a draft analyst for NFL.com, said he has seen Carolina general manager Marty Hurney and coach John Fox frequently at recent pro day workouts for draft prospects and expects them to select a wide receiver with their opening pick, the 48th overall selection midway through Round 2.
"I think they would like a wide receiver," Brandt told the Charlotte Observer on Wednesday on a conference call with reporters. "I see Marty Hurney every place and John Fox is every place, so I think you know they've done their homework."
The Panthers desperately need a receiver to complement Smith, who remains one of the NFL's most electric playmakers at the position but who turns 31 next month and has played much of his career without the benefit of a solid No. 2 receiver to help draw defensive coverage away from him.
"There are lots and lots of good receivers" in the draft, said Brandt. "If think if they want a wide receiver there, they'll get one who'll be an impact player and help Smith out."
Brandt mentioned three possibilities -- LSU's Brandon LaFell, Southern Cal's Damian Williams and Minnesota's Eric Decker.
But since the Panthers already have used second-round picks on former USC receivers who didn't reach expectations -- picking Keary Colbert in 2004 and Dwayne Jarrett in 2007 -- Brandt said the Panthers might "be a little leery" about selecting a Trojans player at the position again.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. also held a media conference call Wednesday and mentioned Cincinnati's multi-talented Mardy Gilyard, a receiver and kick returner, as another possibility for the Panthers with the 48th pick. He also cited Decker, LaFell, Kansas' Dezmon Briscoe and speedy Taylor Price (4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash) of Ohio as other quality receivers who could be drafted there.
However, Kiper said he's predicting the Panthers will use their second-round pick to try to address a need on the other side of the ball by choosing California defensive lineman Tyson Alualu.
He said Alualu is "that defensive end who can play the run so well (and) gives you a little pass rush, (and) fits the mold of what I think a lot of teams in that area are looking for."
Among defensive tackles who could be options there, Kiper mentioned East Carolina's Linval Joseph and North Carolina's Cam Thomas, who both have risen up draft boards the past couple of months. Kiper called Joseph "kind of a hot guy right now" who could be a surprise pick late in Round 1.
In his latest mock draft, Kiper said he has the Panthers taking Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour in the third round.
"I think he could maybe be a starting quarterback in the NFL in two or three years," said Kiper, noting that LeFevour's size (6-3, 228) is comparable to what Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington was when he joined the pros after playing at Marshall.
"He's not as accurate as Pennington, but he's more athletic, (has a) slightly stronger arm than Chad had, (but) certainly a guy who instinctively isn't necessarily where you'd like him to be in the pocket, in terms of his presence and his awareness. (But he's a) great kid. Nobody studies film more than this kid at the quarterback position. "
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