Breaking News: Jourdan Rodrigue's new mock draft

[TheSpecialJuan]

1 hour ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

ROUND 1, PICK NO. 16: CODY FORD, OL, OKLAHOMA

Ford is a versatile, pro-ready “mauler” type of offensive lineman who could immediately help the Panthers solidify their line. If the team wants to play third-year tackle Taylor Moton on the left, slide tackle Daryl Williams in at left guard and play Ford at right tackle, they could. Or, they could put Williams at his more natural right tackle position and play Ford at left guard. Ford’s ability allows Carolina the flexibility to move him until they find the best combination.Ford was also one of the Panthers’ final “top 30” visits in Charlotte on Tuesday, a league source told the Observer.

There is a high risk involved in taking an offensive lineman in the first round — remember, former Panthers left tackle Matt Kalil was once a first-round pick — but Ford is consistent and seems to have a high ceiling if matched with good coaching.

ROUND 2, PICK NO. 47: CHASE WINOVICH, DE, MICHIGAN

Winovich is explosive as a pass-rusher and steady against the run. The Panthers need a defensive end who can be consistently impactful from the start, and Winovich could fill that role in rotation with veteran defensive end Bruce Irvin.

Winovich earned third-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors in his final season at Michigan, after racking up 69 tackles with 17 for loss and five sacks.

ROUND 3, PICK NO. 77: DARNELL SAVAGE, S, MARYLAND

Head coach Ron Rivera said a few players currently on the Panthers’ roster will have a shot at the free safety job opposite safety Eric Reid this fall.

But I’d wager safety is still a strong position of need, and Savage fits the mold of a player who could complement Reid well. He’s fast — he ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine — and covers well, with impressive on-ball ability.

Savage was reportedly one of the Panthers’ “top 30” visits, and it’s likely the team has evaluated how high they might have to jump to select him — he might not last to pick No. 77.

ROUND 3, PICK NO. 100: CHRISTIAN MILLER, OLB/DE, ALABAMA

Miller is a fascinating study for draft analysts this spring, because he has the mark of a player who could be hugely successful with a streak of good health and some coaching.

The former Alabama defensive end can slide into an outside linebacker role if needed, which fits well with the Panthers’ efforts to be more multiple — mixing three-and-four-man fronts — in 2019. Miller played a more situational role in 2018, battling a hamstring injury near the end of the season and torn biceps in 2017. But his ability and football I.Q. are extremely impressive, even in relatively limited snaps.

Miller worked out for the Panthers this week, according to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson. Because he is a South Carolina native, that visit did not count toward the “top 30”.

Because the Panthers signed three former Alliance of American Football offensive linemen earlier this month, they might consider that a pre-draft “draft” of sorts for developmental depth up front — which means they have more freedom to stack the deck on defensive linemen in this draft.

 

ROUND 4, PICK NO. 115: RENELL WREN, DT, ARIZONA STATE OR DAVID MONTGOMERY, RB, IOWA STATE

Wren could back up multiple defensive line positions as he continues to develop, and be the heir to key rotational defensive tackle, Kyle Love, who re-signed with the Panthers to a one-year deal this week. A league source told the Observer in January that the Panthers had been interested in Wren for some time.

Montgomery (5-foot-10, 222 pounds) is not one of the faster backs in this class — he ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine — but he’s very durable, and was used often in the passing game at Iowa State. He could be a steady complement to starter Christian McCaffrey.

ROUND 5, PICK NO. 154: JARRETT STIDHAM, QB, AUBURN

Rivera let something interesting slip this week during his press conference with Hurney: As the Panthers look for the ideal backup to Newton, they’d like to have a guy who can model after Newton’s skill set — though they’re not married to that concept.

That makes me think of Stidham, who the Panthers flew in for a top 30 visit, according to NFL Network, and who can be mobile when needed . If they draft him, they have both a non-mobile guy on the roster in Kyle Allen (who they like), and Stidham competing for the backup job in 2019. That gives the team options.

Stidham has accuracy issues and can be inconsistent. But Rivera and Hurney are specifically looking for a backup quarterback to develop. So if they draft Stidham they obviously think quarterbacks coach Scott Turner can help fix any problems.

 

ROUND 6, PICK NO. 187: CLIFTON DUCK, CB, APPALACHIAN STATE

 

Duck reminds me a lot of former longtime Panthers nickel, Captain Munnerlyn, because he’s scrappy and tenacious with a huge personality despite a relatively diminutive frame.

And as timing would have it, the Panthers cut Munnerlyn in the spring and are looking for a player to elbow his way into the starting role at nickel. Carolina needs a speedy and versatile player in the position, and Duck could be that guy. He also has proven his ability to make plays on the ball, with 12 picks and 19 pass breakups in three years.

Duck attended Carolina’s regional pro day this month.

The Panthers do not currently have a seventh-round pick (it was included in a 2017 trade with Buffalo for cornerback Kevon Seymour). But it’s not out of the question that they trade back at some point to acquire a couple of sixth- and seventh-round picks.

I don't think any of these players will be there when we pick, no one will be there. 

[steven8989]

12 minutes ago, poorboysrev said:

On a side note if the “expert” analysts on nfl network are right about the teams being certain the giants will take a QB at 17 not at 6... hope like hell thats true and some QB desperate team makes us an offer we can’t refuse to slide back a few spots... especially if we’re thinking of taking a ford or mcgary type player 

I agree!

[AU-panther]

I understand why people, myself included, like the idea of Burns.  He seems to have a really high ceiling at a very value positions, but overall I would be happy with this draft.

Honestly Burns would probably start the season as a backup and play rotational snaps.  Ford would probably be a day one starter at LG and there is always the chance he could move to a tackle spot next year.  In some ways he is probably one of the safest first round picks we could make.

The next two picks, Winovich and Savage, I could see both going before where she has us picking them so they would great value at 47 and 77.

[Verge]

Yep, Ford makes tons of sense, just a matter of if he is there. Dillard/Ford/Little is going to look good in Carolina blue.

[ncfan]

7 minutes ago, Verge said:

Yep, Ford makes tons of sense, just a matter of if he is there. Dillard/Ford/Little is going to look good in Carolina blue.

Ford yes, Little possibly, Dillard id poo my pants if I were Cam

[steven8989]

1 hour ago, ncfan said:

Ford yes, Little possibly, Dillard id poo my pants if I were Cam

I would poo my pants if it was any of them. What a way to waste a first rd pick. Good thing it won't be any of those.

[Peppers90 NC]

4 hours ago, Tepper's Chest Hair said:

I mean.  I wouldn't be opposed to this draft.  Thats assuming all the DEs we are targeting are already gone.

And Savage somehow makes it to our 3rd pick

[Peppers90 NC]

Breaking news?

[Sub Zero]

2 hours ago, Verge said:

Yep, Ford makes tons of sense, just a matter of if he is there. Dillard/Ford/Little is going to look good in Carolina blue.

You had to add Little in that group when he is definitely not.. I don't know who your source is but he may be a part of that "1 team" that has him rated high when 30 others don't .. I'm very sure Risnor is higher than him on most ppl boards..

 

[Sub Zero]

I would go to sleep happy as fug if this draft happens.. And i hate Winovich but this draft would fill so many needs and still leave the option to get some depht undrafted FA at RB and WR...

[steven8989]

6 minutes ago, Sub Zero said:

You had to add Little in that group when he is definitely not.. I don't know who your source is but he may be a part of that "1 team" that has him rated high when 30 others don't .. I'm very sure Risnor is higher than him on most ppl boards..

 

Yeah there is no way Little is on anybody's board for rd 1. I use to think this dude's stuff was legit. But I'm starting to really wonder now.

[Verge]

When Greg Little gets taken in the first round, it's going to be fun times on this board ;)

[Pi = 3.1SHutYoMouth!]

Out of all the players we've visited and interviewed, Greg Little is probably the most likely to disappoint. 5 Star athlete who has underwhelming tape and very disappointing athletic measurables. 

 

 

 

[Verge]

7 minutes ago, Pi = 3.1SHutYoMouth! said:

Out of all the players we've visited and interviewed, Greg Little is probably the most likely to disappoint. 5 Star athlete who has bad tape and very disappointing athletic measurables. 

 

 

 

I agree to a point, a valid example would be Orlando Brown last year, he definitely had worse athletic measurables.