My Ultimate BPA Pipe-Dream 1-5 Round Mock Draft

[Germy Ego]

Gurley

Just say no to running backs in the first round. That torn ACL is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many other reasons not to draft a running back that I'd hit the character limit trying to list all of them.

 

No how about you list them if you are going to make a ridiculous statement.

 

[frash.exe]

No how about you list them if you are going to make a ridiculous statement.

Yeah, I'll get right on it as soon as I'm finished with my list of reasons why I think the sky is blue

[WOW!!]

That's one of the more absurd statements I've seen on the Huddle.

Oh really?? Do the math of all RB'S and how many season they are truly effective.. Than talk to me..

[Zuck Fod]

I know we have others needs, but getting Gurley!!! #drooooool. He looks like a once in a decade RB.

[Zuck Fod]

I just see Adrian Peterson in a Georgia uniform. If he's like AP, or anywhere close you'd be a dumbazz not to draft him. Usually I run away from injuries, specially knees. But he will still be a beast. Look at how the man is built!

[CPantherKing]

I would hope this franchise learned something when they drafted Biakabatuka. Stay away from injury riddled college running backs.

 

I would not be the least bit surprised if Gurley drops out of the first round and is not picked until the mid 3rd round. Gurley's ankles are shot. This is leading to repetitive hamstring and quadricep injureis, and he is having ACL issues now. This is horrible for a RB on the NFL level. Once you look at his injury history and limited carries since high school, then you know he is a huge risk.

 

Gurley has been injured every year even before he went to college. Gurley tore up both his ankles in 2011. He had severely sprained both his ankles and had a high ankle sprain where he could barely walk in the playoffs. He continued to run on them throughout the playoffs. He could only run in a straight line. Limited severely on cutting.

In 2012, Gurley would aggravate the ankles after shouldering the load for a game and be limited on carries for 2 to 3 weeks before he was allowed to carry the running game again. This pattern repeated throughout the season.

In 2013, Gurley had hamstring injuries, a quadricep injury, ankle sprains, and a severe high ankle sprain which limited his carries for the year and held him out for a month.

He only had 2 games of 25 carries or more in his first 2 seasons with Georgia.

In 2014, Gurley begins to shoulder the load after an offseason where Mark RIcht limited Gurley significantly in practice due to his ankle injuries. Gurley's carries are limited through the first 3 weeks of the season and then Gurley becomes the work horse in week 4. After 2 games of 25+ carries he gets suspended for 4 games. When he comes back he is not limited even with 4 weeks off and shoulders the load. Another 25+ carry game, and on his 29th carry in the 4th quarter he tries to make a simple cut up field and without anyone touching him his ACL goes out and he is done for the season. This is not a freak injury in Gurley's case. This ACL injury was just a matter of time with the condition of Gurley's ankles.

While fans were surprised, shocked, and hoping for the best, the reaction from his father in the stands tells you all you need to know. His father was not shocked or surprised while Gurley lay on the field. It was that of a parent that shook his head in disgust while knowing this was bound to happen with everything his son's ankles, knees, ligaments and tendons have been through for 4 years.

Mark Richt held back from giving Gurley the load of carries for 3 seasons. Gurley had 5 games with 25+ carries and only 1 went for 30 carries. He never exceeded 30 carries. Nick Chubb in his freshman season had 25+ carries 4 times and 3 of them topped 30+ carries. Chubb had 38 carries the first week he took the lead role with Gurley suspended from the team. Think about why that happened under a run heavy pro style offense with a potential Heisman candidate to start the season.

"Having those nagging leg injuries, man, that holds you back. I didn't have those tonight. It's always good to start the season off healthy." - Todd Gurley

There are a couple red flags in that statement by Gurley.

I can assure you Gurley is not a RB who can shoulder a load for an entire NFL season. He will likely need extensive surgeries on his ankles once the team that drafts him gets a good look at them. He is at best a 15 carry per game back, that will need weeks of rest to recover. He will only be a North-South runner who will not be able to make the cuts necessary for the speed of defenses going sideline to sideline in the NFL. He will get heavy wear due to this because of his inability to cut. I guarantee you his ankles will be a target of every defensive player he faces for the rest of his career.

[BigCat]

I'm sure that you ladies and gentleman have been anxiously awaiting my mock, so here it is..

First Round: Todd Gurley, RB for Georgia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YueOldW_8tc

Why draft Todd Gurley? The better question is why wouldn't we? I don't believe Peat or Collins will be there at #25 so this makes Gurley a need and BPA. When I see Todd Gurley play, I see a running back that has the abilities of both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined. (I expect to receive hate for this next statement, but..) Gurley's size, speed and athleticism makes me feel like he's the Cam Newton of running backs. Over the past two drafts the Panthers have drafted my favorite college athlete (Lotulelei, Benjamin) so hopefully I will be lucky enough to see my favorite athlete in this years draft play for the Panthers.

NFL.com Draft Analysis: "Rare blend of speed and power. Immense power in legs and shows balance through contact. Shreds arm tackles and has speed to house it. Very hard to tackle on an angle. Professional, decisive runner. Presses line of scrimmage to set up his cut-back runs. Gets downhill with knee bend and forward lean, staying small through the hole. Uses quick, tight steps to second level. Will sink and explode into tackler or side-step and jet, causing hesitation in downhill safeties with their approach. Converts "speed to power" between tackles and around corner. Rarely looks to run out of bounds and finishes his runs. Able to factor out of the backfield with soft hands and ability to adjust to throws. In 2014, churned out an amazing 61.9 percent of his rushing yardage after contact. Strong hands and carries ball tight to his body. Only three fumbles in 510 carries."

Second Round: Jake Fisher, OT for Oregon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPisipQR_gU

Looking for a Left Tackle not named Peat or Collins who can come in and compete with Michael Oher for the starting spot? This is the guy. Fisher has most of the attributes you look for in a starting caliber LT, including great footwork and the ability to use all of his 6'6 frame to his advantage. Fishers biggest concern is that he is one of the most penalized tackles in the draft. It's imperative we continue to bulk up the line because Newton will never grow as a Quarterback if he doesn't have a dependable offensive line.

NFL.com Draft Analysis: "Former tight end who moves easily and naturally. Good initial quickness to reach cross-face blocks. Finisher in zone game. Can sustain blocks with proper hip roll and balance through contact. Keeps base wide and uses choppy, controlled steps in pass sets. Mirrors well and has feet to shut down stunts inside. Well-timed and effortless transition from initial block to second-level assignment. Adjusts with good change of direction. Fights back with resolution after losing a rep to defender. Understands how to create leverage advantages with angles and footwork."

Third Round: Phillip Dorsett, WR for Miami

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZatnTkhT8Q

I hear Dorsett described as a "one trick pony" Well, it's one helluva trick. Dorsett has the speed to blow the top off of any defense in the NFL. He ran a 4.33 in the combine and many speculate that he can run much faster. We need a speed receiver, cam needs weapons. It's a perfect fit.

NFL.com Draft Analysis: "Takes the top off the defense and throws it in the trash. Elite explosiveness. Gets to top speed quickly and is a seamless glider on crossing routes, leaving man-to-man defenses in his wake. Can work outside and from the slot. Elevates and attacks contested catches. Outstanding body control and can adjust to the ball in mid-air. Mind-boggling big-play production with half of his catches going for 25-plus yards in 2014. More than just a vertical-only receiver and has the blazing feet and stop-start to beat zone coverage for big plays."

Fourth Round: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB for Oregon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9xWp9Ny3SQ

Ekpre-Olomu was widely viewed as having first round talent, until suffering a knee injury before the college football playoffs. Ekpre-Olomu is one of those players that could be devastating behind our front 7. He will undoubtedly get consideration from us as he falls into the later rounds.

NFL.com Draft Analysis: "Very fluid mover. He can transition like his hips are on a swivel and he has the foot quickness in tight spaces to match. Instinctive and alert. Will transition from man or zone coverage and become a willing tackler against crossing routes that enter his side of the field. Not a robotic defender -- adjusts on the fly as plays unfold. Uses the boundary effectively. Doesn't shy away from tackling. Competitive and won't prematurely open up out of fear. Tracks the ball effectively and has plus ball skills. Mentally tough and twitchy. Playmaking tendencies. Aggressive for size in press coverage. Has experience outside and in the slot."

Another tidbit: "He's tough and has ball skills. He's just being asked to go play right now but he'll get the right technique work in our league and watch how good he becomes then. He's going to be great." -- AFC South area scout"

Fifth Round: Jamil Douglas, OG for Arizona State

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXPKRz4aZWk

Douglas is a big strong guard that will help fortify the offensive line. Watched all of his tape that I could find on youtube and liked what I saw. Could easily be one of Gettleman's late round diamond in the rough prospects.

NFL.com Draft Analysis: "Athletic build with desired flexibility throughout lower body. Has recovery quickness to catch delayed blitzers and twists. Flashes promising quick-set that he will use to take early lead in protection. Can pull, turn corner and find targets. Effective blocker in screen game with ability to adjust to moving targets in space. Can punch and reset hands quickly to counter a spin move. Has bend and hips to win leverage battle early in the snap."

Fifth Round: Justin Hardy, WR for East Carolina

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT6NDPmHJ_c

No reason to write anything about Justin Hardy because 95% of the forum has been debating him day and night for the past 4 months. We are all familiar.

NFL.com Draft Analysis: "Instinctive. Works back to the football and adjusts well to inaccurate passes. Good length for his height. Hand-catcher with above-average hand size. Smooth hips to weave and make tacklers miss on crossing routes. Aggressive demeanor on the field. Nasty blocker looking to dominate his foe. More than 70 percent of his catches as a senior went for first downs."

Fifth Round: Nick Marshall, CB/SS/QB/ST

This is definitely a headscratcher, but this pick actually makes a great deal of sense if you think about it. Marshall moved from QB to CB for the combine and is projected to play as a Safety in the league. He possesses elite athleticism that allows him to play a number of positions. Worst case scenario, we blow a late 5th rounder on a guy who plays special teams that can fill in as emergency depth at multiple positions. When you factor in that Gettleman and Rivera love players that play multiple positions, it makes sense... Or maybe I just want to see you guys debate the thought of it.

NFL.com Draft Analysis: "Has desired size and frame for cornerback position. Played cornerback at Georgia and appeared in 13 games there in 2011. Has quick feet and is able to change direction quickly. Shows ability to plant and drive forward out of backpedal. Not a banger, but showed a willingness to hit and finish in Senior Bowl. Background as quarterback could benefit his defensive awareness and football intelligence. Strong competitive drive and showed confidence in his abilities in big games."

As for the last two picks? I wouldn't mind seeing us take a backup center.

Will update my mock a day or two before the draft as new info keeps pouring in.

This would be a very successful draft if it happens.

[dpm0409]

Would love this draft if it came to fruition.

 

Injury risk or not, the potential of having Gurley in a Panthers uni is more than exciting and I'm a little partial to Hardy as well.....go pirates

[UpstatePanther]

You wouldn't of said that three years ago. Everyone has Richard Sherman fever.

Sherman is 6'3", Ekpre-Olomu is 5'10".

I'm not saying we should foolishly dream to draft another Sherman, but surely there are corners that have at least two more inches on Ekpre-Olomu and would be just as talented or better.

[UpstatePanther]

You wouldn't of said that three years ago. Everyone has Richard Sherman fever.

I just looked at the CBS rankings and in their cornerback rankings, they have 8 corners ranked above Ekpre-Olomu that have at least 2 inches on him. There are many more ranked below him, even a guy that measures in at 6'2".

I do not want a short 5'10" corner when there are a plethora of other options. One of the others is bound to be better.