2017 Panthers Mock Draft (Rounds 1-3) - Panthers Wait Until Second Round For A RB

[Saca312]

The Panthers have finished off their season with a very, very dismal 6-10 record. Everything from injuries, coaching, and close games (6 decided by a FG or less - let that sink in) made the difference between a 12-4 record, and a 6-10.

Thankfully, the team gets to enjoy a nice break from the NFL for a time of reflection, healing, and training this off-season. After such a soul-crushing season coming from a devastating Superbowl loss, the Panthers should be ready to work hard and prove to the world they will be back next season.

The Panthers will have their first top 10 pick since Dave Gettleman became GM of the Panthers. Last time the Panthers even had a pick in the 10s, DT Star Lotulelei was selected at the 14th. We all know how important he is for this D-line. 

In fact, every other pick Gettleman has had was 25 or below. These picks include: WR Kelvin Benjamin (pick 28), LB Shaq Thompson (pick 25), and DT Vernon Butler (pick 31). All these picks were extremely low in the draft. 

The Panthers have the 8th pick of the NFL draft - with the Bengals winning and Chargers losing - and Gettleman gets to prove he's a competent first round drafter with his 2nd ever top 20 pick out of 5 drafts so far.

As always, free agency and draft talks begin early, and fans everywhere search relentlessly for players they believe will help bolster the team. Predicting the moves of their football team is commonly practiced, and mocks are generated from such. 

Here's some picks I believe will immediately help the team with analysis to go with it:

Round 1 Pick 8 - S Jamal Adams

Some of you are probably wondering, "Why is he going defense? What about offensive tackle/runningback; heck Leonard Fournette is likely available."

Well, let me tell you a bit about this Jamal Adams guy first.

This guy is a man among boys. He's a physical, athletic 6'1 213lb strong safety that'll make you pay. His instincts are amazing; he's always appears to be one step ahead of his opponent. He has the mental stronghold to lead out any secondary he's thrown into, making sure everyone knows their part. He also brings about a swagger and confidence with him - he knows he's good. He's fantastic in run support, and he's a sure tackler. He's got scary good awareness, and capable of helping out anywhere in the secondary.

In fact, the only reason he doesn't have much interceptions this season is due to his coach telling him to dive into a role as a shut-down player from his play-making zone scheme.

What you get is perhaps one of the most solid strong safeties from the draft in a while

Here's a peek at what kind of player we're looking at.

1. He's Luke Kuechly; Well, Mentally

In this certain segment, Jamal Adams sniffs out a screen play. He analyzes what's going on in front of him, and follows the screen. He's able to force the QB to find another option, leading to a likely play by the defense.

His awareness and mental fortitude is highlighted here. 

He's able to take charge with his instincts and make a play. He impacted the offense, and shows he has the football IQ to be a fantastic safety in the NFL. He's basically the Luke Kuechly of the secondary.

2. He's A Roaring Train - He Rams Into His Victims

To put it frankly, Jamal Adams is a tackling machine.

Jamal Adams has 76 tackles for the 2016 LSU season - 7.5 for a loss and 1 sack - and he's one heck of a tackler.

In the above GIF, Jamal Adams is shown to come up straight to the receiver, and lay him out. Like heck, he's Tre Boston as a tackler; except he's consistently like this. He makes the plays, and hits his guy hard. For a guy his size, he's extremely physical and athletic. 

This consistency from the tackling aspect of our safeties is sorely needed. Jamal Adams provides that.

3. He's Solid In Coverage - Even Against The Shiftiest of Receivers

Jamal Adams sticks with his man. He demonstrates solid technique in this play, and doesn't fall for the quick moves from this particular receiver. He's playing in the slot, and virtually sticks to his guy every step of the way.

When was the last time we saw Tre Boston look this good in coverage? Never? Precisely the point.

He's got fantastic instincts and coverage ability. He makes sure he's stuck like glue on his player, and prevents that player from making a play. He's also been asked to shut down some of college's premier tight ends this season, and has been successful. 

This is an immediate fix to our tight end coverage, which isn't the best this season. Jamal Adams is a player.

How Does He Fit on the Panthers?

In case you were living under a rock, the Panthers don't exactly have a starting strong safety on the roster. The experiment with S Kurt Coleman in the SS spot was a failure, and Tre Boston - bless his heart - is either really bad, or really good. We do not have solidity in that area.

Enter in SS Jamal Adams. 

He fits right in our blatant hole at SS, and will be working great for our young secondary. He's got fantastic leadership qualities, and is a fantastic communicator. He's got the physical traits and the intelligence to make an immediate day-one impact. 

In the first Atlanta game this season, a key of note was the lack of communication in the secondary. With a Jamal Adams pick, we get a sure safety that'll fit in just nicely, and make sure everyone is on the same page.

He'll basically be as effective of a pick as Luke Kuechly was - an instant leader on a team that desperately needs one in the secondary.

Nice scouting reports: http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2016/11/27/scouting-report-jamal-adams-s-lsu/, https://walterfootball.com/draft2017S.php, http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2016/05/12/watch-for-jamal-adams-in-2017/ - got GIFs from here.

Alternate choice: DE Derek Barnett

Round 2 Pick 39 - RB D'onta Foreman

 

This is Jonathan Stewart. 

Literally, he plays just like him.

At 6'1, 249lbs, Foreman is one heck of a beast. He's a physical threat, elusive, and has a ton of power and strength to him. He breaks tackles, he changes direction in one quick motion, and he's elusive. He's fantastic at pass-blocking - a trait every runningback behind Stewart doesn't possess - and is just one great power back.

One of his defining traits is his ability as a breakaway runner. He's one of the best when it comes to hitting that 3rd gear. He gets to breakaway speed in a blink of an eye, and leaves defenders in the dust. He's a real talent in a deep runningback draft.

Don't believe me? Check this out:

1. He's Got Power - A Lot Of It

He's strong.

In this play, he's churns through about, say, 5 or 6 defenders to smash his way into a touchdown. He's got a ton of power, and earns the tough yards in this situation. He uses his body to just bash his way into the endzone, using every ounce of strength he has in his tank.

He's one tough guy.

His ability to smash through tacklers and get the hard yard just shows why he looks so much like Stewart. Like Stewart, he earns the hard yards. He makes defenders pay with how hard of a runner he is. 

He's the perfect heir to Stewart - and a great runningback to pair with.

Alternates: DE Solomon Thomas, TE David Njoku

2. He switches pace well - looks for the perfect opportunity

In this particular replay, D'onta Foreman is able to wait for a couple of blocks to accumulate before hitting that high gear. He sidesteps while the play develops, then just runs hard. He switches from a little skitter to full blown speed in a blink of an eye. He turns this play into an easy first down, and shows tremendous speed.

He is just fantastic as a runner. 

He leaves behind defenders in the dust when he hits that high gear, and just keeps on going. Patience, vision, and explosiveness - traits that define who D'onta Foreman is.

3. Breaking Tackles + Breakaway Speed = This

He should've been stop short for a 3rd down and 1.

As you can see, that did not happen.

D'onta Foreman rams into the defender before the 3rd down marker, then breaks a couple tackles here and there for a huge gain. His tremendous breakaway speed is evident with how he hits that fast stride and just runs his way for a huge gain. 

He's just one heck of a power back. 

His elusiveness, tackle-breaking ability, and tremendous breakaway speed is what makes him one of the most underrated backs in college. He's a gem in a draft class full of studs. Grabbing him would turn out as one of the best value picks from this draft with his ability.

How Does He Fit on the Panthers?

It's pretty obvious - to become the heir of Jonathan Stewart

First of all, he'll easily slip in a role as a switch-up back for J-Stew on plays and keep Stew's legs fresh. He's a nice player to pair with Stewart, and the drop-off in talent will be minimal.

He's a tough, power runner, and he is a fantastic pass-blocker.

If J-Stew were to get injured again, we'd have a competent backup ready to help lead the reins. We won't have to worry about o-line deficiencies/running with him on the field. He'd be an instant upgrade - and obvious heir - for the runningback sector of the depth chart.

He's a player the Panthers have to hit on this draft. He's too good of a player to pass up at the second round.

Round 3 Pick 71 - TE Jordan Leggett

Sorry, won't post GIFs for this guy, but he's still a solid player.

TE Jordan Leggett is just your solid prospect in a deep class. He's been Deshaun Watson's reliable, go-to tight end in the Clemson offense. He's great at blocking, and he's great at catching. He has good hands to be a fantastic every down TE, and would be a fantastic compliment to Olsen in the offense.

He's great at catching fast balls - type of throw Cam Newton loves - and has good hands. He does everything right in an offense loaded with talent.

As a third rounder, we'd get a day one starting 2nd TE this offense desperately needs. A solid player, reliable, and a good blocker.

How He Fits On The Panthers

Everyone knows we don't really have a solid 2nd TE; and have no one behind Greg Olsen.

Enter in Jordan Leggett; Mr. Reliable

A solid TE with a ton of upside, Leggett would be able to hone on his abilities and learn from behind one of the greatest TEs in the game. He'll be able to play along side him as a 2nd TE option for Cam, and become another option as a reliable, 3rd down catcher. He'll also improve the blocking aspect in that area, and make a great impact.

If Greg Olsen were to ever get hurt (God forbid), he'd be able to easily fill in his role as a reliable catcher. He's able to make the catches on the fast ball, and exploit any defensive coverage necessary. He's a playmaker, and a reliable option this offense needs.

 

[Icebox]

I'd be content with that.

Adams and Foreman would be slight reaches, but justifiable given what is likely to be gone and what will be on the board.

[Saca312]

Just now, Icebox said:

I'd be content with that.

Adams and Foreman would be slight reaches, but justifiable given what is likely to be gone and what will be on the board.

I've seen some mocks with Foreman and Adams drafted ahead of us. I'd think these players would be fantastic value based on our needs/BPA, imho.

[ncsportsfan1234]

I hate it with a passion.... no no no to a safety in the top 10..  

[Saca312]

Just now, ncsportsfan1234 said:

I hate it with a passion.... no no no to a safety in the top 10..  

If you could get a Luke Kuechly of the secondary in the top 10, would you?

He's probably one of the most complete safeties coming out of college. He's got potential to really be one of the best. I think he'd be fantastic with his brains.

[ncsportsfan1234]

4 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

If you could get a Luke Kuechly of the secondary in the top 10, would you?

He's probably one of the most complete safeties coming out of college. He's got potential to really be one of the best. I think he'd be fantastic with his brains.

I think you are vastly over rating him.....  remember the bucs drafting a safety over luke? Lol I would much rather do what it takes to get Leonard Fournette even if we have to trade up... the man is an AP clone.... and the true success of our offense depends on getting back to a traditional run.

[gmonjimbo]

I would be happy if this played out but I am seeing several mock drafts having Jamal Adams going 7 to the Charges. Foreman reminds me more of Legarette Blount than Stewart thats not a bad thing. 

[Lemory]

This is exactly how i want it to turn out except for Leggett in the 3rd. Adams and Foreman would be amazing. 

[Troys99x3]

Would love to get Adams at #8. I just honestly can't see him on the board until we pick. 

[The Lobo]

I would flip if this happened. I can't see Adams being there though. I also can't see Jordan in the third. I feel like he will be gone. What about James Connor in the second or third?

[Riverboat Ron]

Another guy I like better than Adams is Malik Hooker. This could be a tough choice for us if Hooker comes out and both are available. Adams is a SS while Hooker is a FS, so not exactly the same position. I look at it like a choice between Earl Thomas or Kam Chancellor.

 

I honestly think Hooker is the best FS prospect in quite a while, better than Ramsey last year, IMO.

[nctarheel0619]

Your alternate for the 2nd round pick in Thomas solidified himself as a first round pick.  No way he's there in the 2nd.  

[CarolinaSamurai]

Every single thread about every single prospect is filled with I don't think he'll be there....Can we just talk about if it would be a good pick or who you'd like instead. 

[JawnyBlaze]

Good write ups.  I like the picks. I'd rather have Fournette in the first, but that could easily not be an option.  We definitely need a good Safety, and if Bradberry keeps developing and Worley at least turns into a decent CB we could have a very strong secondary to go with our monster DTs and great LB corps.  I want no more than two defensive players in this draft unless some ridiculous value shows up.  One DE, one S.  Otherwise I want RB, OT, TE and if a good WR is available, we could use someone dependable at that spot.  We need an OT that can push Oher or Remmers out of their position.  Preferably Oher and pray Williams can bump Remmers down the depth chart where he belongs.