My 2017 Twitter 32 Team Mock Live Draft Results

[Soul Rebel]

I just wrapped up the 2nd edition of a really fun group of draft guys on Twitter.  I GM'd the Panthers and tried my best to meet needs w/ value.  We couldn't trade players or future picks, but we could move around in the 2017 draft by trades using the draft value chart.  Here's what I finished with.....

ROUND 1, PICK 8:  Malik Hooker, SAF, Ohio State   6'2"  205 pounds

• The way the board fell, I ran this card to the Twitter podium quickly. Thomas went 3, Fournette went 4, and Adams went 6. I really thought the Chargers would take Hooker, but they went McDowell at 7.  JACKPOT!! Hooker will come in and compete day 1. Yes, it moves Coleman to SS, but it also gives us one of the most rangy and instinctually gifted safeties I've seen in a long time on our defense. Ed Reed and Earl Thomas are his comps, so I'm okay with a safety of that ilk pushing Coleman to SS, especially with the value at pick 8.  

 

ROUND 2, PICK 6 (VIA TRADE W/ LA CHARGERS): Christian McCaffrey, RB/WR, Stanford  6'0"  201 pounds

• It was a minor move up 2 slots in order to jump the Jets who I thought may be in the market for a RB since they missed LF in the 1st.  I gave up a 6th and a 7th to move up and guarantee that we got our guy. Funny thing was that after I made the pick, nobody thought I needed to do it because the Jets didn't want him. Then the Eagles GM said that he had a deal in place with the Jets to jump me and take McCaffrey at 39. #Win!  McCaffrey is a change from our traditional running backs like J.Stew, DeAngelo, Stephen Davis, Tolbert, etc. McCaffrey would give us such a swiss knife kind of offensive weapon for Cam, it's silly. He showed out at the Combine and I was surprised that he slipped all the way to the 2nd round.  Lots of RBs in this draft, but IMO, Fournette and McCaffrey are just quite different than the rest of the pack. Cam would love to have a guy like McCaffrey on his side.... whether it's single back, dual-back w/ JStew, in motion, in the slot... wherever... the kid is a gamechanger and at pick 38, I was all over him.

 

ROUND 2, PICK 32:  Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland   6'6"  278 pounds

• Some may say it's too early to select this small school tight end, but I feel like if you want a guy, you take him. Since we aren't picking again until the comp pick in the 3rd, I wanted to make sure I got the tight end I like most after OJ Howard. I know there are Gronk comparisons out there, but I'm not going to put that on his shoulders. With Olsen here, Shaheen won't have to be a day 1 starter per se, but he will definitely fill that TE2 role like a glove. His size will help Shula throw out more 12 formations and utilize Shaheen next to Kalil to assist in helping Cam.  He is sneaky athletic for his size as well as fast for a lumbering receiver of his build.... 4.7 40, but a solid 3-cone and BJ make me think he can handle short space underneath against LB/SAF well.  Soft hands and a great receiving target for our offense. I see a rough version of Jason Witten and I think learning under a future HOF'er in Greg Olsen will help Shaheen reach his potential. There were a couple of cornerbacks I thought about here, but I really want another TE for our offense.  Giving Cam another weapon on offense... you're welcome Ace Boogie!  

 

ROUND 3, PICK 34:  Daeshon Hall, DE, Texas A&M   6'5"  266 pounds

• Finally get a defensive end that fits Carolina well, and reminds me of Chandler Jones coming out of Syracuse.  Hall was overshadowed by the amazing beast that is Myles Garrett, but for good reason.  That being said, Hall has long arms (95th percentile), impressive broad jump (88th percentile) and a good enough 3 cone (80th percentile) to make me think he has the athleticism, bend and explosiveness to be a solid 3-down DE. He's more than just measurables too.. check out some draftbreakdown vids of him, and you will see a DE with a lot of potential.  Hall is a guy that I've had my eye on for awhile if we bypass DE in the first round. I think we have a good DE rotation for 2017, but after this year we're back to Addison and then we're hurting. Hall could come in this year and rotate situationally, while learning from the great Julius Peppers and Charles Johnson. Each brings a different approach to their game, and I think they could mold Hall into a great DE that could play opposite Addison in 2018. I'd like to see him add about 10 pounds of muscle, and then I think we will see our version of Chandler Jones. Since this was a comp pick, it's essentially the second pick of round 4. 

 

ROUND 4, PICK 8:  Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky  5'11"  203 pounds

• Even though we have added what I will call "complimentary/slot/shiftier" wide receivers in FA, I couldn't pass on a guy like Taywan Taylor in the 4th round.... I think he goes early-mid 3rd, TBH.  I love Taylor's shiftiness and quickness/speed combo. He would be a welcomed addition on ST for 2017, but I also think he would earn a rotational spot by mid-season. Love his separation and IQ to know how to use his size to his advantage. He's been compared to Stefon Diggs on NFL.com, and I get that, but I also see a bit of Jeremy Maclin to him. He has the potential to give defenses fits and within the newly designed roster of KB13-Funchess-McCaffrey-CJ2-Shepherd-Taylor-Olsen-Shaheen and would give Cam way too many weapons. I'd like to see him improve his route tree, but at a smaller school he always had the advantage on quick hitters and go routes. I do believe he's more than just a speedster, and love the YAC that he puts up. He's a guy that will get behind a DB on one play with such a nasty move, that it sticks in the back of the DBs mind next time... and the next time... etc. to the point that Taylor wins the mental game with his athleticism/speed combo.
•  

ROUND 5, PICK 8: Jack Tocho, CB, NC State  6'0"  202 pounds

• Had to wait awhile for our new cornerback, but very happy with who I got. Actually watched a lot of him while at NC State and love his IQ, instincts and leadership skills he showed.  Some may think he can convert to SAF at the next level, which could be an option if he doesn't fit in at CB, but I do think he can be a solid #2 corner. He's always around the ball, a sure tackler and a very heady smart player that never gives up. He just screams like a guy that isn't raw whose upside is what you're planning on. Rather, he's a guy that you know what you're getting from day 1 and could improve a bit on the floor that he already has. Lacks the flashy 4.4 speed, but I think he plays smart enough and takes good angles that he won't need to rely on his long speed. He tackles well and keeps the play in front of him. Not a flashy 6'2" 200 pound DB with 4.35 speed, but a confident kid that can step in as a dimeback and learn under Captain's tutalage, and eventually challenge Worley for that CB2 spot. 

No more picks since I had to give up the 6th and 7th to get McCaffrey, but I'm okay with that. I tried to trade back in the 5th to recoup some picks because I wanted to add a kicker and center. Oh well.... I'm happy with this draft and think the Panthers would be pretty happy with this too.

 

[burnettwilliam23]

Almost seems too Good to ever actually happen but it actually seems likely, can't wait till Draft Days!!!

Sent using the amazing CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[Soul Rebel]

Yeah, I don't see any world where McDowell goes before Hooker, but I took it.