Jeremy Igo

The following is my best guess at what will transpire in rounds 1-3 of the NFL Draft next month as far as the Panthers are concerned. All three picks are not only the best players available, but also players whose football talents line up perfectly with what the Carolina Panthers do on the field. So, without further ado... 2015 Panthers Mock Rounds 1-3 Round 1 , Pick 25 Landon Collins - S - Alabama Gettleman practices what he preaches in picking the best player available, but also fills a need. Landon Collins is one of those guys that is projected high but could drop in the first round. He ran a good 40, but other than that had a rather average combine. He won’t drop out of the first round, but he could drop to the mid 20s where the Panthers will select him if available. Collins is a prototype Ron Rivera strong safety. He punishes runners and has sound tackling technique. He is the best run defense safety in the draft, and as Dave Gettleman always says, you have to first defend the run to be able to rush the passer. Round 2, Pick 57 Jake Fisher - OT - Oregon FIsher had arguably helped himself the most at the combine out of all offensive tackles, which will bump him up into the second round. Fisher isn’t the physical stud that the first round tackles are, but he is a true football player. The Ducks offensive line performance decreased drastically without Fisher in the lineup. Throw in the fact that he is accustomed to protecting a mobile QB, and this is a no brainer for the Panthers. Round 3, Pick 89 Nick O’Leary - TE - FSU If there is one thing Ron Rivera and Mike Shula love, its an H-Back. A guy that can line up as a tight end or fullback opens up plenty of matchups that would be favorable to the Panthers. They tried this with both Ed Dickson and Brandon Williams last season, but had limited success. Nick O’Leary is the best H-Back this year’s draft and a good value in the late 3rd round. In addition, even though he is not much of a deep threat, he is a reliable receiver with solid hands for Cam Newton to target in mid to short yardage situations. He was a safety outlet for Winston at FSU, he can be one for Newton in Carolina.

The jags have enough fans for a forum?

I've changed the thread title to appease the masses.

This is really excellent work RR.

Hardy was never a leader on the team. I've asked plenty of players who the leaders are, he was never mentioned. That's not a bad thing. Teams need all types. But characterizing Hardy as a leader isn't accurate.

Someone needs a hug.

You don't tender UFA.

This makes me extremely happy for having them.

If so.... JStew is up in 2016.

Incorrect. Even when they hit free agency players are often signed afterwards. I know Bill. For him to be this definitive about something so much in the public spotlight tells me a big dog told him in plain terms Hardy would 100% not be back. It isn't speculation. It is reporting. I've seen Bill work. I know his sources. I know, I know, its not your beloved bleacher report... but you can trust it. Hardy won't be back.

They don't do that with any unrestricted free agent.

Publicly.

Yeap. The court case just put an exclamation point on it for them.

I was told during training camp by more than one source Hardy would not be back. This decision was made long ago.

I don't speculate. I spekalize.

It's not speculation when the decision makers on Hardy tell you flat out he won't be here. At that point, its reporting.

Because it's information many have refused to hear for about 8 months now.

Well, Michael Oher will have something to say about that! Errrrrr......

Yep. For Bill to be this definitive tells me either Ron or Dave told him. I trust Bill's reporting.

It is official. For Bill to be this definitive means he was told by Rivera or Gettleman. The Panthers won't come out and say they aren't going to bring back a UFA. They will just let him sign elsewhere, like every other UFA ever.

He won't be. Time to move on Dex.

Our friends over at Black and Blue Review are reporting with the most certain language to date that Greg Hardy will not be a Carolina Panther in 2015. http://blackandbluereview.com/panthers-final-answer-no-greg-hardy/ " According to multiple league sources, some momentum did build for a Hardy return in the days after his legal situation was cleared up. But, sources say, that slim possibility quickly cooled and eventually ended last week." It has long been thought that Greg Hardy would not return. Since preseason I have been told from sources within the Panthers organization that Hardy would likely not be back. The "likely" has now turned into a "certainly". Hopefully for the Panthers, Hardy will stay out of the NFC South. The thought of facing a Greg Hardy out for revenge is not a pleasant one. Atlanta is clearing plenty of cap space this offseason, which could be cause for concern.

20% fewer snaps is a downgrade.

There isn't a corner in this year's draft that will be available for the Panthers pick that is an upgrade.

Wait, the Panthers have a rookie that ranked as one of the best corners in the league. Most draft redo's have Bene as a first rounder in 2014. So the Panthers should downgrade him to a part time player at nickel? Won't happen.