Yes, I know that there are far too many mock drafts in existence on the Internet, and I am also aware that they are essentially meaningless guessing games, especially in this draft with no clear-cut #1 overall selection (despite most mocking Jameis Winston #1 overall). Still, it is too fun to speculate.
With the 25th pick in the NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers select... Jake Fisher, LT, Oregon University.
Jake Fisher is the big, nasty hog mollie that the Panthers must select on the first day of the 2015 NFL draft. If that highlight video does not give you chills down your spine and does not remind you of former Panther LT Jordan Gross, you are missing something. As a former tight end, Fisher has great mobility to support Cam in both the pass game and the run game. He finishes blocks hard and has played a variety of positions along the offensive line. If the coaching staff feels strongly about starting Michael Oher at LT next season, Fisher would easily upgrade the right side of the line. Personally, I think he will be better than Oher from day one. Others to consider: LT D.J. Humphries (Florida), LT Ereck Flowers (Miami, FL), DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa (UCLA), LB Eric Kendricks (UCLA) Round 2, Pick 25... Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest University
The self-proclaimed "best cornerback in the draft" is a lengthy ballhawk that would compliment incumbents Josh Norman and Bene Benwikere excellently. He has length and added bulk to a thin frame between the end of the season and the NFL Combine. A summer in an NFL weight training program could further benefit him, especially considering the wide receivers across the NFC South (Roddy White, Julio Jones, Marques Colston, Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans). Johnson gets knocked for sometimes giving too much cushion, but keeping receivers in front of you means they are not scoring touchdowns. Keeping this DB in the state of North Carolina makes a lot of sense for the Panthers. Others to consider: DE Nate Orchard (Utah), RB Tevin Coleman (Indiana), WR Nelson Agholor (USC), CB Quentin Rollins (Miami, OH) Round 3, Pick 25... Breshad Perriman, WR, University of Central Florida
I have already discussed Perriman in Lesson 3: Draft Geology 212, so I will resist gushing all over Perriman again here. However, Perriman would be the ideal third round pick for the Panthers this year. GM Dave Gettleman has still been fairly quiet, but I would not expect him to sign someone like Greg Jennings. Bringing Perriman in would create a wonderful young receiver tandem with size and big play ability. Neither Perriman nor Kelvin Benjamin should be expected to have 100 catch seasons - and there is no need for them to do so. 200+ catches split amongst the two receivers and TE Greg Olsen would be a dominant passing attack and quite feasible. Others to consider... if I must: DE Preston Smith (Mississippi State), DT Grady Jerrett (Clemson), RB TJ Yeldon (Alabama), OT Mitch Morse (Missouri) Round 4, Pick 25... David Johnson, RB, Northern Iowa University
Meet the future of the Carolina backfield. Johnson has good long speed, excellent NFL size, and perhaps the best pass-catching traits of any RB in this draft. Johnson can learn behind Jonathan Stewart for a year or two and then be ready to step in as Cam's new backfield partner. Of all the day three running backs, I think Johnson has the most potential and will fit Carolina's style well. He will immediately challenge Fozzy Whitaker for the role of backup to JStew. Others to consider: RB Jeremy Langford (Michigan State), LB Taiwan Jones (Michigan State), DT Kaleb Eulis (Mississippi State), OL Ty Sambrailo (Colorado State) Round 5, Pick 25... Obum Gwacham, DE, Oregon State University
It is hard to watch that highlight video and not get a little excited about the potential Gwacham has. He started out as a wide receiver at Oregon State, but I think he and his coaches made the right call in flipping him to the defensive side. He is a bit undersized and new to the position, so this pick would not pay immediate dividends. However, I think Gwacham could be worked into some pass rushing situations as he learns technique and adds to his frame. Two years down the road, I think Gwacham could be shining in a rotation with Kony Ealy and Charles Johnson - a similar timeline to former Panthers DE Greg Hardy. Others to consider: SS Ibraheim Campbell (Northwestern), OT Daryl Williams (Oklahoma), LB/DE Max Valles (Virginia), WR Tre' McBride (William & Mary) Round 6, Pick 25... Austin Shepherd, OL, Alabama University
I could not go through a Dave Gettleman mock draft without doubling up along the trenches. Shepherd is not a wow-guy, but he is smart, has good technique, and can provide strong depth on the right side of the line, if not challenge for the starting position at right tackle. This point of the draft really depends on how the roster shapes up in the time between now and April 30th. Shepherd would be a strong choice to beef up the weakest phase of the roster. Others to consider: OL Max Garcia (Florida), WR Austin Hill (Arizona), CB Quandre Diggs (Texas), DT Tyeler Davison (Fresno State) Round 7, Pick 25... Louis Trinca-Pasat, DT, Iowa University
We return to the state of Iowa to get a young DT to add to the rotation. Trinca-Pasat gives maximum effort to make up for his lack of size, and he could thrive within a rotation role among the Panthers stable of defensive linemen. Colin Cole and Dwan Edwards will be 35 and 34 respectively before the beginning of the season. Trinca-Pasat would be a great piece to grow with KK and Star. Others to consider: DE Ray Drew (Georgia), TE Rory Anderson (South Carolina), QB Blake Sims (Alabama), LB Alani Fua (BYU) Potential Compensatory Picks The good people at Over The Cap do their best to project potential compsenatory picks for the upcoming draft. They currently do not think the Panthers will be receiving any, but there are contingencies: if any of Antoine Cason, Ed Dickson, or Joe Webb do not qualify, the Panthers will likely receive a compensatory pick each, most likely fifth rounders. Here are some prospects I would like to see looked at with those picks:
DT Derrick Lott, Tennessee-Chatanooga The former Georgia recruit could never claim playing time in the SEC and dominated after transferring to the FCS and the Southern Conference (home of my Wofford Terriers!). He was older (25 in June) than and more athletic than his competition, but he should be a strong backup in the NFL who can be brought in immediately on passing downs. CB Nick Marshall, Auburn The former QB could be brought on to take on a similar role to Joe Webb as a third quarterback on the roster for emergency situations and even gadget plays. Webb was resigned to a one year, minimum contract, while Marshall could potentially provide value on defense as a fourth cornerback. WR Ty Montgomery, Stanford Montgomery has suspect hands, but when he holds onto the ball he can be dynamic. The Stanford product has a very likable personality and can be a weapon on special teams. Ted Ginn Jr signed a two year agreement and will be almost 33 when the contract ends. Montgomery will bring a new dynamic that could open up the offense on some gadget plays, including bringing back the bubble-screen play that Steve Smith used to execute so well. DL Marcus Hardison, Arizona State Hardison is a former 4-3 DE who outgrew the position and had to shift inside to DT. He is still learning the position yet already possesses quality pass-rushing moves and would fit well with the Panthers DL mold.
0 Responses:
Post a Comment