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Carolina Panthers 2001 Draft Here's a look at the players the Panthers picked in the 2001 draft. (Written April 2001.) Round 1 ~ Round 2 ~ Round 3 Round 4 ~ Round 5 ~ Round 6 ~ Round 7

Round 1 (No. 11 overall) Dan Morgan, linebacker, University of Miami 6-foot-2, 241 pounds 40-yard dash time: 4.61 2000 Stats: 138 tackles, 15 for losses, four sacks and two interceptions. Charlotte Observer, April 20, 2001: "Morgan wrote book on success" Morgan was a consensus All-American and became the first player in history to win the Bednarik, Butkus and Nagurski awards (the top three defensive honors). He can start right away in the Panther defense because they have a hole at outside linebacker after releasing Lee Woodall in February. He has played inside and outside linebacker in college, and most scouts agree he can be successful at either position in the NFL Sporting News evaluation Similar to the Dolphins' Zach Thomas. Undersized strong and explosive and covers with great quickness and instinct. Has tremendous blitz instincts. Does an excellent job of reading and reacting to plays. He has rare instincts and all of the intangibles to be a franchise-type player. Lives for football. Never stops hustling.

Round 2 (44th overall) Kris Jenkins, defensive tackle, University of Maryland 6-foot-5, 318 pounds 2000 Stats: 62 tackles and eight sacks CBS Sportsline evaluation He started three seasons on the interior of the defensive line, providing solid run support. Has the physical package NFL scouts look for in a defender -- very good strength and mobility. He was labeled an underachiever earlier in his career, but came through with a strong effort as a senior that has him rising up the charts. Sporting News evaluation Always has had the talent, but finally put it together on the field his senior season. Has excellent size, and moves well. Is an intelligent person, but doesn't always translate his smarts to football smarts -- you know it's there, though. Was more aggressive this year, and finally showed all the signs of being a physical presence in the middle.

Round 3 (74th overall) Steve Smith, wide receiver, University of Utah 5-foot-9, 175 pounds 40-yard dash time: 4.45 2000 Stats: caught 35 passes for 743 yards (21.4-yard average) and four TDs 1999 Stats: 43 receptions for 860 yards and eight TDs. CBS Sportsline evaluation Very quick player with good movement skills that helped him get open consistently. He has reliable hands and is a good open-field runner with the ability to avoid tacklers and hit an opening. He's one of the premier punt returners in the nation with a 17.1-yard average per return with three TDs. He is a tough athlete who will take a hit and hold on to the ball. Sporting News evaluation Has explosive quickness and acceleration. Has good hands, and is excellent after the catch. Has great vision as a runner, and is a technically-sound route runner. Plays faster than his 40-yard-dash time indicates.

Round 4 (106th overall) Chris Weinke, quarterback, Florida State 6-foot-4, 230 pounds 40-yard dash time: 5.1 2000 Stats: 4,167 yards and 33 touchdowns 1999 Stats: 3,103 yards and 25 touchdowns CBS Sportsline evaluation Over his three seasons as a starter, he finished with a 32-3 record, including a national championship as a junior and the Heisman trophy as a senior. He is a mature player (he'll be a 29-year-old rookie) and spent six years in the Toronto Blue Jays organization before returning to FSU in '97. Quality pocket passer with physical limitations and the intangibles to eventually start. Sporting News evaluation Has excellent size and arm strength and puts great zip on deep-out patterns. Is a better passer in the pocket, but has learned to throw effectively on the run. Is a drop-back, pro-style quarterback with a quick release. Is a student of the passing game and always is prepared.

Round 5 (143rd overall) Jarrod Cooper, safety, Kansas 6-foot, 222 pounds 40-yard dash time: 4.42 Sporting News evaluation Is a natural athlete with a track background. Has good speed and great intensity. Is aggressive, especially against the run. Has the speed and quickness to play in coverage, and is natural in his movement. Shows average coverage skills. Almost is considered an extra linebacker on defense.

Round 6 (175th overall) Dee Brown, running back, Syracuse 5-foot-10, 203 pounds 40-yard dash time: 4.6 2000 Stats: Rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 30 touchdowns CBS Sportsline evaluation Brown is quick off the block but not fast enough to run away from people. He also doesn't have the size or leg strength to break tackles. What he does have are great hands and that portends a career as a third-down specialist. Sporting News evaluation He has the ability to make defenders miss with the vision to pick and slide along the line. He lacks breakaway ability and does not hit full speed through the hole. He catches the ball well and shows the ability to follow his blockers in the open field.

Round 7a (211th overall) Louis Williams, guard, Louisiana State 6-foot-4, 299 pounds Sporting News evaluation Gets the advantage at the points of attack because of massive size and good strength. Durable player with toughness. Committed to getting better. Smart guy; doesn't make mental mistakes. Top-notch run blocker. Played left tackle for three years at LSU before being moved to guard in 2000, which means he'll get better with time. Round 7b (227th overall) Mike Roberg, tight end, Idaho 6-foot-4, 256 pounds 40-yard dash time: 4.72 Sporting News evaluation Has size, speed and can catch. Shows good athleticism for a tight end. An inconsistent blocker who needs technique work. Came to Idaho as a defensive lineman but was switched to tight end his sophomore season. Has good hands and is a tough blocker. He could find himself in double tight end sets and a target on third downs.

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