3 Round Mock, In Depth

[Roebling]

Round 1- Philip Dorsett

 

The guy has 4.2 speed, and only dropped two catchable balls? He just has what we desperately need, a vertical threat with some reliable hands. As many scouts have pointed out, he is a bit small, and is limited on his route tree. But the speed he brings can be used on some underneath as well. The mismatch that our two receivers bring, would present a serious problem to opponents. The size of Benjamin, the speed of Dorsett, the natural mismatch of Greg Olsen on a safety or linebacker.... 

 

And then our slot has some serious competition. You probably throw Dorsett into the slot in three man sets, and that leaves Boyken/Ginn/Brown/Cotchery duking it out for the slot position. However, with Dorsett, Olsen, Benjamin, and Stewart... Our #3 receiver would really be out #5 target. It really minimizes the importance of our third receiver. 

 

Some people have tackle here, but the ones that will probably be available, Clemmings and Humphries, are projects. Michael Oher and Martin both have comparable measurements, more experience, and these just aren't the lineman to reach for. They wouldn't be of immediate impact, and that is expected of first rounders. We grab a lineman later, and we have time to develop. Right now, we already have Oher, Martin, and Remmers pushing eachother. Then, we bring in a few to compete. Our guards have some competition as well with Turner, Norwell, Scott, and Amini pushing one another. Then a solid center. Our O-line played much better near the end, and we already added two first round talents in FA. I think Gettleman is pretty comfortable, especially considering they chose to put Oher out there for interviews with the first group of STARTERS. I think that is hugely important. That sets a tone for their expectations.

 

 

Round 2 BPA between Shaq Thompson or falling OT 
Guess- Shaq Thompson

 

 

The OT's we are looking for here would be Jake Fisher, Cedric Obiwan, or Donovan Smith. All three of these guys are talented and are potential future left tackles. At the very worst, they come in and provide competition and depth their first year if they can't crack the lineup. They have some competition with Remmers, Oher, and Martin. 
 

As for Thompson, this guy is someone we want, and I wouldn't be surprised for us to use one of our extra fifth round picks to move up for him just a bit. Panthers have been heavily rumored to be interested, and he plays the positions we need help with OLB/SS/ and even a pinch RB, hell. He has the athleticism to make coordinators drool, provides instant speed to our defense that lacks it, and brings a certain kind of energy we need. He would be groomed for Davis, brought in for strong safety competition, and at worst would play as our WLB. The guy is a beast. He was playing two ways at his college, and can be in there roaming with Davis and Keuchly. I have faith McDermott could utilize this guy, along with Rivera. 

Either of these options would be solid for what we are looking for on our team. I think they really want Shaq, but those OL would fit well too. I can see them going either direction, and not fault for either one.

Round 3- Top RB/DE

Guess- David Johnson, RB

I think the draft is very deep here, but I think we continue to build up our offense. Stewart is solid, but we need some insurance, and this guy provides an overall solid back. He can run, and he is a fluid pass-catcher. He provides a new dimension, with the ability to add another target out of the backfield. Again, more mismatches that this team needs to gameplan for. Cam went from having two mismatches, to four in the course of this draft. If Panthers also look for some talent at OT in the second round, this season should be his best yet. 

David Johnson is known best for his pass catching ability, but he also ran a solid 4.5 40, and has produced at an outstanding rate for the past three years. He also had a solid showing at the Senior Bowl. Rushing for 45 yards, a catch for 16 yards, and an 82 yard kick-off return. I just like the versatility this guy adds out of our backfield, and the consistent hands. Stewart and Williams haven't really been great receiving backs, and this is a guy that you wouldn't mind having in the games for more than just passing downs. 

Round 4 and further:

I think after these picks, we really start going BPA. Really searching for more competition at OL, even if we grabbed one in the second. I think we also add one more RB, and some CB with measurables, as well as a pass rushing specialist who fell. Maybe even a small pass rushing specialist. We have a lot of solid DE's with measurables, but a pass rushing specialist would be good for us to add in general, specifically a speed rusher. 

I think this draft really adds some weapons to our offense. Yes, we are putting a lot of faith in our current OL, but I think Gettleman has hinted as much. Again, he put Oher out there for first round of interviews with all unquestioned starters. They are acting like he is the guy. This offensive line did pretty well near the end of last year, and Newton wasn't being wrecked like the beginning of the season. I think we have guys with the measurables able to play LT on this team, and that any team we go for in the first is going to need time. We can find guys in the later rounds who just need time as well. 

With this draft, we added some real explosion to the center of our defense (I think Shaq plays a mix of WLB and SS), and added weapons on offense, filling some offensive utility we did not have last year. These players add entirely new elements to our team on offense. Say all you want about BPA, I think these players are near the top of what we could select at their respective spots, and I think at one point you have to fill needs for your team. Not just hope that need and BPA overlap at some point. We add some real athletes this year, and I think you will see some exciting Panthers football. 

[t96]

Dorsett won't be picked by us in the first round.

[Swaggasaurus]

Very realistic and I love all the picks. Some people might cry about no OT, but we don't need to reach and Oher was a targeted guy from the get go for us to bring in. Bringing in a Chaz Green and a physical nickel/corner like Coleman or Diggs later would make this a solid draft

[Fidel Cashflow]

That would be one hell of a draft but it's not going to happen.

[Roebling]

That would be one hell of a draft but it's not going to happen.

Most mocks have these guys going after where we pick them here. Just saying. 

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

Dorsett won't be picked by us in the first round.

Is that you, Dave?

[t96]

Is that you, Dave?

I would bet any amount of money on that.

[Roebling]

I would bet any amount of money on that.

I think you always act like you know, when knowing is impossible. Even if he doesn't draft him, you are being a bit pretentious to claim "you know."

[Fidel Cashflow]

Most mocks have these guys going after where we pick them here. Just saying. 

 

I feel you but the odds of you mocking our first 3 picks correctly is very very slim. A ton depends on what the teams in front of us pick.

 

[UpstatePanther]

i love it. though if Duke Johnson is still on the board in the third, i would have a hard time passing on him. if he isnt, my RB target would be Mike Davis. that kid is a workhorse that racked up tough yards like it was easy at USC for the Gamecocks. 

[DaveThePanther2008]

My reason for not draft Dorsett #1.  The opening post used it as a but.  Doesn't know the route tree.   

 

This IMO puts him down as a project at WR.  Meaning it will be a couple of years before he is truly ready to be a starter.   If we draft a WR he needs to be ready to start now.

 

We have a speedster in the training program already.  Stephen Hill.

[Roebling]

My reason for not draft Dorsett #1. The opening post used it as a but. Doesn't know the route tree.

This IMO puts him down as a project at WR. Meaning it will be a couple of years before he is truly ready to be a starter. If we draft a WR he needs to be ready to start now.

We have a speedster in the training program already. Stephen Hill.

People said the same project thing for benjamin.... And Dorsett and hill are completely different. Just because they run fast and have limited route trees does not equivocate the rest of their abilities. Dorsett has hands, better lateral agility, and is faster. He's a more reliable target with nowhere near the health concerns.

[DaveThePanther2008]

People said the same project thing for benjamin.... And Dorsett and hill are completely different. Just because they run fast and have limited route trees does not equivocate the rest of their abilities. Dorsett has hands, better lateral agility, and is faster. He's a more reliable target with nowhere near the health concerns.

 

Would love to have him but not as our first round pick.   IMO he'll be there at 57.

[Roebling]

I feel you but the odds of you mocking our first 3 picks correctly is very very slim. A ton depends on what the teams in front of us pick.

Isn't that every mock? Haha.