Pro Days are almost complete and the Panthers have made a couple more signings. Time for a new mock! I will continue to try and feature new players to offer different perspectives of how the Panthers's draft could fall out.
Round 1, Pick 25: SS Landon Collins, University of Alabama
So, I think I may cry - Mel Kiper listed Breshad Perriman as his #9 player on his newest Big Board. I really liked his fit with the Panthers and thought he was underrated as a potential day three prospect, but I never expected him to rocket this far up in the draft. I have moved on in this edition of the mock draft, selecting a player that may fall due to Perriman's meteoric rise: Landon Collins. Collins is unquestionably the best safety in this draft, not to mention the only one supposed to go in the first round. He is a strong, athletic safety who excels in the box but is no slouch in coverage either. Collins does not have elite speed, but his 4.5 forty time indicates he should have plenty of speed to play the strong safety position. Collins could develop into a leader of the defensive backfield.
Round 2, Pick 57: WR Tyler Lockett, Kansas State University
The Panthers have not had three players with 50 or more receptions since 1999. I turned 7 years old in 1999. With wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin and tight end Greg Olsen, the Panthers already have two players locked down for the next three years that should be guarantees for at least 60 catches per season given good health. Lockett could be an excellent compliment to Olsen and Benjamin. Lockett excelled at the combine in the 40 (4.40 seconds), the 20 yard shuttle (4.07 seconds), and the 60 yard shuttle (11.14 seconds). Lockett produced huge numbers at Kansas State, including breaking his father's school records for career receptions and yards. He will most likely be relegated to the slot role in the NFL given his lack of strength, but Lockett possesses the speed, quickness, and route running abilities to be dynamic there. Lockett could quickly become the underneath safety valve that Cam needs (Jonathan Stewart cannot be counted on to provide that any more).
Round 3, Pick 89: DT Marcus Hardison, Arizona State University
Wow. Hardison is a freaking animal. Shifting between 4-3 defensive end and inside to play as a three technique defensive tackle, Hardison exploded last year to the tune of 54 tackles, 10 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions. When you watch the video above, you will see an athlete with outstanding closing burst, good wrap up technique, and positional versatility. Hardison's 5 forced turnovers highlights his nose for the ball. The Panthers like defensive ends that can shift inside on passing downs, why not add a defensive tackle with those same pass rushing abilities, especially to allow Kony Ealy more time to develop. Hardison will not be an asset in the running game until he adds more lower body strength and improves his ability to withstand power guards' punches, but he is an excellent rotation and developmental pick.
Round 4, Pick 124: CB Ladarius Gunter, University of Miami (Florida)
I wrote that if Gunter could improve his 40 yard dash time, he could validate the comparisons to Josh Norman, and a 4.56 at his pro day yesterday did just that. Gunter looks big in the defensive backfield and his 6'2" frame carries the 200 pounds well. He excels in zone coverage and looks to swipe at the ball to disrupt receptions as well as cause fumbles. Gunter's experience as a single high safety and on kickoff coverage offer increased versatility and, therefore, value. Some draft analysts look at him as a safety, but I think he has the size and fluidity to excel for the Panthers from day one opposite Josh Norman.
Round 5, Pick 161: TE Ben Koyack, Notre Dame University
Round 5, Pick 169: OG Josue Matias, Florida State University
Andrew Norwell was impressive last year, but can the former undrafted free agent be counted on for the foreseeable future? Matias started 14 games per season at left guard each of the last three seasons in Tallahassee and would provide, at the very least, strong competition for Norwell and former second round pick Amini Silatolu. Matias is more technique than power at this point and could use some seasoning in a professional strength and conditioning program.
Round 5, Pick 174: OT Rob Crisp, North Carolina State University
A former #2 OT prospect coming out of high school, Crisp has the requisite height and arm length to play offensive tackle in the NFL and may just need some more time to develop into a starting caliber left tackle. He already possesses the athleticism and footwork, but like Matias, Crisp needs to work on his functional strength to be able to drive back defenders in the run game. He could become the heir to Michael Oher at left tackle.
Round 6, Pick 200: WR Chris Conley, University of Georgia
I understand why the Panthers are high on Jarrett Boykin, but there is a reason that they were able to sign him so late in free agency and at such a discount rate - he is not a sure shot. Conley is also not a sure shot, but he has the size and athleticism to become a significant weapon opposite of Kelvin Benjamin. My favorite thing while watching Conley is how natural he looks as a receiver. He does not let the ball get in on him much. His production is lacking, but Georgia features a run-heavy offense. A summer competition between Boykin, Conley, and Stephen Hill for the starting spot opposite of Kelvin Benjamin would be worth watching.
Round 7, Pick 242: RB Malcolm Brown, University of Texas
Like Crisp, Brown was a much-hyped prospect coming out of high school who failed to excel in the college ranks. I am not sure he would even be drafted without his improved 40 time at his pro days (4.50 and 4.52 seconds). He is a north-south runner with minimal wiggle but decent power and quick burst. Brown also has solid hands coming out of the backfield and can be an asset in pass protection. By all accounts a hard worker and high character person, Brown could compete with Fozzy Whittaker and Jordan Todman for carries behind Jonathan Stewart.
Round 1, Pick 25: SS Landon Collins, University of Alabama
So, I think I may cry - Mel Kiper listed Breshad Perriman as his #9 player on his newest Big Board. I really liked his fit with the Panthers and thought he was underrated as a potential day three prospect, but I never expected him to rocket this far up in the draft. I have moved on in this edition of the mock draft, selecting a player that may fall due to Perriman's meteoric rise: Landon Collins. Collins is unquestionably the best safety in this draft, not to mention the only one supposed to go in the first round. He is a strong, athletic safety who excels in the box but is no slouch in coverage either. Collins does not have elite speed, but his 4.5 forty time indicates he should have plenty of speed to play the strong safety position. Collins could develop into a leader of the defensive backfield.
Round 2, Pick 57: WR Tyler Lockett, Kansas State University
The Panthers have not had three players with 50 or more receptions since 1999. I turned 7 years old in 1999. With wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin and tight end Greg Olsen, the Panthers already have two players locked down for the next three years that should be guarantees for at least 60 catches per season given good health. Lockett could be an excellent compliment to Olsen and Benjamin. Lockett excelled at the combine in the 40 (4.40 seconds), the 20 yard shuttle (4.07 seconds), and the 60 yard shuttle (11.14 seconds). Lockett produced huge numbers at Kansas State, including breaking his father's school records for career receptions and yards. He will most likely be relegated to the slot role in the NFL given his lack of strength, but Lockett possesses the speed, quickness, and route running abilities to be dynamic there. Lockett could quickly become the underneath safety valve that Cam needs (Jonathan Stewart cannot be counted on to provide that any more).
Round 3, Pick 89: DT Marcus Hardison, Arizona State University
Round 4, Pick 124: CB Ladarius Gunter, University of Miami (Florida)
I wrote that if Gunter could improve his 40 yard dash time, he could validate the comparisons to Josh Norman, and a 4.56 at his pro day yesterday did just that. Gunter looks big in the defensive backfield and his 6'2" frame carries the 200 pounds well. He excels in zone coverage and looks to swipe at the ball to disrupt receptions as well as cause fumbles. Gunter's experience as a single high safety and on kickoff coverage offer increased versatility and, therefore, value. Some draft analysts look at him as a safety, but I think he has the size and fluidity to excel for the Panthers from day one opposite Josh Norman.
Round 5, Pick 161: TE Ben Koyack, Notre Dame University
@Cat_Chronicles Carolina Panthers worked out RB Cam McDaniel, WR DaVaris Daniels, and TE Ben Koyack today at Notre Dame pro day today #C3
— Smokewagon (@SamSslater96) April 1, 2015
Koyack worked out for the Panthers and at first, I wondered if the Panthers had a roster spot for a third tight end, given the 3 year commitments given to each Greg Olsen and Ed Dickson earlier this season (literally, I tweeted that question in reply to the original tweet above). Since then, I have realized just how much sense a Koyack selection would make. Brandon Williams has played in 23 games the past two seasons, and Richie Brockel participated in all 16 games in 2012 and 2013. Koyack is a strong inline blocker who has the natural athleticism to become a pass catcher with time and development (he was underused in this facet while at Notre Dame). He also has the size (6'5" and 255 pounds) to be a red zone weapon out of two tight end sets.Round 5, Pick 169: OG Josue Matias, Florida State University
Andrew Norwell was impressive last year, but can the former undrafted free agent be counted on for the foreseeable future? Matias started 14 games per season at left guard each of the last three seasons in Tallahassee and would provide, at the very least, strong competition for Norwell and former second round pick Amini Silatolu. Matias is more technique than power at this point and could use some seasoning in a professional strength and conditioning program.
Round 5, Pick 174: OT Rob Crisp, North Carolina State University
A former #2 OT prospect coming out of high school, Crisp has the requisite height and arm length to play offensive tackle in the NFL and may just need some more time to develop into a starting caliber left tackle. He already possesses the athleticism and footwork, but like Matias, Crisp needs to work on his functional strength to be able to drive back defenders in the run game. He could become the heir to Michael Oher at left tackle.
Round 6, Pick 200: WR Chris Conley, University of Georgia
I understand why the Panthers are high on Jarrett Boykin, but there is a reason that they were able to sign him so late in free agency and at such a discount rate - he is not a sure shot. Conley is also not a sure shot, but he has the size and athleticism to become a significant weapon opposite of Kelvin Benjamin. My favorite thing while watching Conley is how natural he looks as a receiver. He does not let the ball get in on him much. His production is lacking, but Georgia features a run-heavy offense. A summer competition between Boykin, Conley, and Stephen Hill for the starting spot opposite of Kelvin Benjamin would be worth watching.
Round 7, Pick 242: RB Malcolm Brown, University of Texas
Like Crisp, Brown was a much-hyped prospect coming out of high school who failed to excel in the college ranks. I am not sure he would even be drafted without his improved 40 time at his pro days (4.50 and 4.52 seconds). He is a north-south runner with minimal wiggle but decent power and quick burst. Brown also has solid hands coming out of the backfield and can be an asset in pass protection. By all accounts a hard worker and high character person, Brown could compete with Fozzy Whittaker and Jordan Todman for carries behind Jonathan Stewart.
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