Panthers Mock 2.0

[CatalystNX]

1st: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Strong has become by favorite possible pick of ours in the 1st round. I love his potential alongside Kelvin Benjamin, to the point that I actually think Benjamin might end up being the #2 option alongside Strong. He appears to be rising, so we could miss out, but there's still a good chance we land him.

 

2nd: Duke Johnson, RB, Miami

Some will say this is a little early for a RB, but given that we've been heavily scouting backs from 1st round prospects (Gurley) to late rounders (John Crockett) it's clear we're looking to add one and open to spending a high pick on one. I don't see us going RB in the 1st, but if Duke Johnson is on the board in the 2nd he'd be a great pick. This guy is as explosive as they come. His cuts/jukes are something to behold and he's the sort of home run threat we haven't had at the RB position in quite some time, if ever.

 

3rd: Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State

The value at the tackle position is in the mid-rounds this year, IMO. While I'm not sold on Smith's ability to play left tackle, I think he'd be an absolute monster at right tackle (6'4, 335 lbs) and while right tackle is a lesser need than the left side, if we have a chance at take a prospect like Smith I think we'd be smart to do so. He could come in day one and compete with Mike Remmers at right tackle and if nothing else provide depth. Plus, we can always give him a shot at left tackle if Oher falters - or give Remmers that shot and put Smith at right tackle.

 

4th: Trey Flowers, DE, Arkansas

The odds of Gettleman going 4 rounds without taking a pass rusher are slim to none. Trey Flowers would immediately contribute to our rotation and would give us another pass rusher to develop along with Kony Ealy for the day when Charles Johnson is gone.

 

5th: Jordan Richards, SS, Stanford

If you've read my previous mocks you know by now that Jordan Richards is a guy I really, really like in the mid-rounds. He'd immediately push Roman Harper for a starting job and in the long run could be a major addition to our secondary. A long-term secondary with Norman/Bene at corner and Boston/Richards at safety has a lot of potential.

 

5th (COMP): Laurence Gibson, OT, Virginia Tech

This is a guy we've shown a lot of interest in and I think would be a great pickup in the mid-rounds. He'll need some development, but I think with time he could be our answer at left tackle. While Donovan Smith is the big right tackle who I think can play day one, Gibson is the guy who could pay off big time next season.

 

6th: JaCorey Shepherd, CB, Kansas

Very underrated prospect, IMO. Has great balls skills and with some coaching and development could be a guy who surprises the same way Bene' did last season.

 

6th (COMP): Max Garcia, C/G, Florida

Ryan Kalil's contract is coming up a couple years and there's at least some chance we won't be able to re-sign him given the money we're about to give to both Cam and Luke. Now, I don't expect to find a possible replacement in the 6th round, but it never hurts to add some depth. Max Garcia can play both center and guard, which gives us flexibility in the event of an injury and who knows, maybe he'll develop into something and give us the option of not having to sink another big contract into a 30+ year old center. And if not, as I said, he'd be solid depth at two positions behind Kalil.

 

7th: Terry Williams, DT, East Carolina

Another favorite prospect of mine. Terry Williams hasn't gotten a ton of attention during the build-up to the draft, but he's a guy I feel could be better in the pros than in college. We'll need some long-term depth at DT and Williams could fill the Colin Cole role as a space-eater off the bench.

[Mol3m4n]

Duke in the 2nd?

You srs?

[C47]

Strong is so meh. Not really sure why everyone is in love with him. Duke in the second is an absolute travesty.

[*FreeFua*]

Strong is so meh. Not really sure why everyone is in love with him. Duke in the second is an absolute travesty.

I don't get it either, he's very stiff and slow coming out of breaks, no bend. His 3 cone time at his pro day was 7.33 (same as KB) I don't put much stock into many of those workout numbers but I always glance at 3 cone for WR's and Strong's matches up with what I see in his cutups.

He struggles with press and doesn't use his size to his advantage. I don't see any sort of explosiveness to his game either. He's the same as KB in the sense that once he hits stride downfield he's got some speed but that's it.

I just don't think he'll be able to win on the outside at the next level (unless we're throwing him a back shoulder fade every time) and that's why I much rather have Perriman.

But I get the sense from listening to others talk about Strong that the Panthers are high on him.

After hearing you're meh on Strong too, I want to hear DCK's opinion on him.