In the past few drafts, there hasn’t been a whole lot of drama surrounding who would be the number one overall pick. There may have been a couple players that would be worthy of the top pick each year (see Bradford and Suh in 2010), but each team’s needs pretty much dictated who the pick would be.
This year is quite different. Carolina has several holes to fill, and there are several players at the top of the draft that could help to fill them. Head coach Ron Rivera has said they are looking at up to eight different players to draft with the first pick in the draft. Each option would create a different domino effect for the rest of the draft, and the other 31 NFL teams are looking attentively towards Carolina to see who will likely be left at their respective draft slots.
Who are the Panthers looking at, and what would some of the ripple effects be?
Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU- Peterson is one of the safest bets in the 2011 draft, and definitely worthy of the number one pick. If Carolina doesn’t want to take too big of a gamble, Peterson would be a good selection. Picking Peterson would likely lead to Marcell Dareus and Von Miller going to Denver and Buffalo, and would give teams like Cincinnati and Arizona their choice of QBs if they decide to go in that direction. However, Carolina may look elsewhere because they are pretty well off at DB and have so many other needs to address.
AJ Green, WR, Georgia- Like taking Peterson, going with Green would be another safe pick for Carolina. Unlike Peterson, Green would feel a big need. Steve Smith is 
both aging and unhappy as a Panther, and Carolina is likely to part ways with him. Green could contribute immediately at WR, and could develop into a dominant WR for years to come. Having a guy like Green to throw to would also help out second year QB Jimmy Clausen. If the Panthers choose Green, it would be hard for Denver to pass up on Peterson. It would also give Arizona a choice between any QB and Von Miller.
Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama- Nick Fairley got all the press, but Marcell Dareus may just be the best defensive lineman in the draft. The Panthers would address a big need on the defensive line by taking Dareus. Drafting either Dareus or Fairley at #1 would likely most affect AJ Green, as he could potentially drop all the way to Cleveland in this scenario.
Cam Newton, QB, Auburn– Carolina has shown interest in both Blaine Gabbert and Newton, but indications are that they prefer Newton. Newton would certainly take some time to develop, but he has such a high ceiling the Panthers may have a hard time passing him up. They have Clausen to fill in until Newton is ready, but QB is a definite long term need for Carolina. Taking Newton might force a team like Arizona or Tennessee to trade up to ensure that they can draft Gabbert. Taking Newton first overall could also result in Jake Locker being taken in the top 10.
In the end, according to sources and projects by Eric Galko, AJ Green is the top guy right now if they decide to not go quarterback with the first overall selection, despite a quarterback going number one in 10 of the last 13 drafts. Still, because Peterson and Dareus are such safe selections along with Green, this could be a debate in the Panthers clubhouse right up until mid to late April.
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