Gettleman's Guys - 2014 NFL Draft Picks and NFL Combine

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Kelvin Benjamin

The Carolina Panthers went 12-4 in Gettleman's first season, but still had a lot of questions that needed to be answered. As the GM of the Carolina Panthers, Dave knows what kinds of players he wants on his team. He wants the Blue Geese, Hog Mollies, and Kishkes.

Before I go any further I want to define some terms in the Dave Gettleman Dictionary:

  • Blue Goose – a really good player, help immediately, and starter.

  • Big Hog Mollies – big offensive and defensive lineman.

  • Kishkes - Guts

Gettleman made a strong statement by letting several players leave this past offseason. This list included: Steve Smith, Mike Mitchell, Captain Munnerlyn, Ted Ginn Jr., and Brandon LaFell. Don't forget that this team went 12-4 and won the NFC South in 2013. 

He then made a little splash in free agency by bringing in Roman Harper, Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant, Antoine Cason, and Tiquan Underwood.

    Gettleman was the man in charge for the Panthers in the 2014 NFL Draft, and the fans weren't too happy with the results at first. What was Gettleman thinking with those draft picks? Kelvin Benjamin was probably not the best value on the board at 28, and his other choices were even more questionable.

    Let's check out the NFL Combine numbers for Gettleman's 2014 NFL Draft picks:

    1. Kelvin Benjamin – 240 lbs, 4.61 40 Yard Dash, 32.5” Vertical, 13 Bench Reps, 10 ¼ Hands

    2. Kony Ealy – 273 lbs, 4.92 40 Yard Dash, 22 Bench Reps, 34 ¼ Arms

    3. Trai Turner – 310 lbs, 4.93 40 Yard Dash, 25 Bench Reps, 34 Arms

    4. Tre Boston – 204 lbs, 4.59 40 Yard Dash, 18 Bench Reps, 35” Vertical, 9 ¾ Hands

    5. Bene' Benwikere – 195 lbs, 4.63 40 Yard Dash, 10 Bench Reps, 40.5” Vertical, 9 1/8 Hands

    6. Tyler Gaffney – 220 lbs, 4.49 40 Yard Dash, 36.5” Vertical, 6.78 3-Cone

      Gettleman definitely made some questionable personnel decisions this past season. It also didn't help that the Panthers had a record of 3-8-1 at one point during the 2014 NFL season. But something clicked, and the Panthers turned their season around with Gettleman's guys. Panthers fans should be singing high praises for Gettleman.

      The Panthers won the NFC South with Gettleman's Hog Mollies, Blue Geese, and Kishkes.

      Was there something that Gettleman saw at the NFL Combine that the rest of us didn't? Based on these numbers at the NFL Combine, did Gettleman get lucky?

      By Justin Raymond

      Follow Me On Twitter @JayRay19