Panthers' most impactful draft-day trade ever was a massive failure
ESPN has named each NFL franchise's most impactful draft-day trade. Unfortunately for the Panthers, theirs had the bad kind of impact.
There are virtually no sure things in the NFL draft. And although they've been around a relatively short while compared to the bulk of the league, the Carolina Panthers have learned that lesson a time or two. ESPN's NFL Nation recently named each franchise's most impactful draft-day.
Reporter Katherine Terrell revisits Carolina's, and details their unfortunate trade up to the 19th overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft to nab offensive tackle Jeff Otah. Terrell writes: After selecting running back Jonathan Stewart at No. 13, the Panthers weren't done.
Otah started 25 games in his first two seasons, but knee issues ended his career early -- he missed the 2010 season and an attempt to trade him to the Jets in 2012 didn't work out because of a failed physical. Otah played only 29 games in the NFL and the Panthers, who didn't have a first-round pick in 2009 or 2010 due to a different trade, did not have a winning season between 2009 and 2012. To get Otah, the Panthers traded first-, second- and fourth-round picks—a veritable bonanza of draft capital that usually nets you a top-five overall selection.
Otah eventually went down as one of the 10-worst picks in NFL history . It's a timely note for the Panthers, who just used the same pick ( No. 19 overall ) on another offensive tackle in Georgia star Monroe Freeling.