The Mock for Open Minds

[MHS831]

This mock is one where I consider taking Picks that many have overlooked as possibilities each round because there is some info about the current team we just do not know yet.

1. Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College--Before you spew whatever you are drinking, consider the year we took Beason when Morgan was in his prime. (Beason was to play OLB, if you recall). We do not know what conditiion Jon Beason is in right now, nor do we know if he will still have the sideline-to-sideline speed. Thomas Davis is a HUGE question mark. The free agent market is not good at LB, and we are over the cap. As much as everyone wants DT, CB, and S, LB is arguably our biggest need, depending on injury and luck. Everyone is addressing OLB in the fourth or fifth rounds, it seems. We will start a guy with as many ACL surgeries as games played over the past three years and another returning from an achilles surgery. Research shows that these guys may not return to form.

MLB is perhaps the most important position in the 4-3. If Beason cannot sprint, get off quickly, etc. Then we are lost. No Connor to bring in. However, Kuechly is a tackling machine who can cover. His 4.56 (close, est) and his performance in agility drills, leadership, etc. make him an everydown LB. Beason can play outside and Keuchly might have that versatility. Bottom line: We are thinnest at LB and Rivera sat there and watched the best 43 LB in the draft creep into the top 10 on his board. If you consider the risk at DT, the hybrids that we will have to choose from at DE, and the fact that the second and third best CBs have potential problems with weed, LK could be the BPA anyway.

2. Bobby Massie, OT. Ole Miss We could draft a G, but Schwartz was doing well before his injury and most of the G problems ran through Hangartner. Bell is perhaps best suited at G. Ole Miss has been quietly putting out some top NFL players (Manning, Willis, Oher, etc) over the years. Massie is underrated, but has the tools to play either side, although he is listed as a RT. If Bell wins a guard job, and even if he doesn't, RT is a problem now and LT is going to be one down the road. Take an OL early to protect Cam, address a need (Age, injury, free agency next year) at the same time.

If the Panthers like the development of Lee Ziemba or think Bell will develop into an OT that can run block and not hold every third pass play, then this pick would not be made. However, watch some Massie on you tube. Not bad.

4. Casey Hayward, CB Vandy. Of course, by this time in the draft, some players may not be on the board, but Hayward might. He is not flashy or overly athletic, but a smart CB who has decent ball skills. He is a little bigger than the other CBs on our roster, except Gamble. Note that there are some good football players to be found on the rosters of the SEC teams that are at the bottom of the standings--He has faced the best, which is almost as good as playing with the best, maybe better.

5. Aikeem Hicks, DT Regina (from LSU): Has the size (6'5", 325), first step, and length to be a solid NFL lineman. Could he be the run stuffer we need while we develop his pass rushing skills? Where might he be if he had stayed at LSU? Many questions, but I think the Panthers have talked to this guy. Forget about Fua and McClain, the Panthers may have a pretty good base at DT with Edwards returning and the play of Kearse and Shirley last season. Throw in a project with huge upside, and who knows, DT could be a strength.

6. Derek Wolfe, DE Cincinnati. Wolfe is an undersized college DT who played vs spread offenses and had pass rushing skills. He is 6' 5" tall and weighs 290 and was the conference defensive player of the year. He has a tremendous motor. I would draft him to play DE, have him lose 20 lbs and become a run-stuffing, pass rushing DE. This is a risk, obviously, but if he develops, he would be a sixth round steal. A smart, disciplined player, he has the height and the motor to be good. His 10 yard splits and cones were solid at the combine, and dropping 20 pounds would improve them further. If he fails, add the weight back and move him back to DT.

Janzen Jackson, FS, McNeese St. Good speed, hits hard, makes plays on the ball. Was enrolled and playing at Tennessee but was dismissed from the team, so there is some baggage. Has more upside than others in the seventh round.

There you have it. The top features a combination of BPA and possible needs, the bottom features projects who have high upside. Again, this is based on perspectives I have not seen on the board yet, so if it is a player everyone wants, I ignored that player.

[carpanfan96]

I actually considered Kuechly at 9 with my mock.

[section543]

You make great points on LB being huge need. Guess I'm not sold on Kuechly yet though

[Jesse]

Keuchly is reasonable, but our OT depth is far worse than our DB depth with the #2.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Before you spew whatever you are drinking, consider the year we took Beason when Morgan was in his prime. (Beason was to play OLB, if you recall). We do not know what conditiion Jon Beason is in right now, nor do we know if he will still have the sideline-to-sideline speed.

Morgan had never played a full season and I think only played in 3 games the year before we drafted Beason. It was very clear to everyone that he was a beast but just couldn't stay healthy. While Beason's health is a bit of an unknown everything indicates he will be back at full speed. Based on the assumption that he will be back and at least 90 - 95% of his former self, a rookie MLB will not start for the Panthers in 2012. That said, I like Kuechly but think that there are other positions that need to be addressed.

The players in this mock are all pretty good and there are no big reaches, but it is all about philosophy. I think the Panthers should to go into the draft with an attitude that our 1st and 2nd rounders need to be starters. I dont think either of these 2 picks would be able to.

[MHS831]

Morgan had never played a full season and I think only played in 3 games the year before we drafted Beason. It was very clear to everyone that he was a beast but just couldn't stay healthy. While Beason's health is a bit of an unknown everything indicates he will be back at full speed. Based on the assumption that he will be back and at least 90 - 95% of his former self, a rookie MLB will not start for the Panthers in 2012. That said, I like Kuechly but think that there are other positions that need to be addressed.

The players in this mock are all pretty good and there are no big reaches, but it is all about philosophy. I think the Panthers should to go into the draft with an attitude that our 1st and 2nd rounders need to be starters. I dont think either of these 2 picks would be able to.

Yeah, we need 2 starters from this draft (3 if you count Olsen). I compare Morgan with Beason in that some folks are never the same after achilles surgery. I would not assume that he will be at 95% unless you have reason to think so positively. I just have no idea where he is.

The second rounder will probably be DT or CB in the reality, but I went with the "Otah is done" theory. There are some who think Massie can start and play LT in a year or two, when Gross is 34.

Basically, If we ignore key positions with huge red flags (LB, OT) and draft other needs, the key positions will come back and bite you. The Panthers know where TD, Beason, and Otah are in their rehab, but we only know what we are told. Still, I think we have to pick up a free agent or two. In addition, Wharton is either extended to a lesser deal or cut. so our Gs could be Schwartz and Bell, FWIW. Maybe we get a few answers before the draft, but I bet we won't know what our real needs are until we see how we do in free agency and the draft.

[MHS831]

I actually considered Kuechly at 9 with my mock.

It probably won't happen, but RR is a LB nut, and there is a logic to it. With the quesiton marks at LB, you need to be sure at MLB.

[MHS831]

You make great points on LB being huge need. Guess I'm not sold on Kuechly yet though

Did you see the combine? I think he compares to Morgan. Good speed, tackling machine. (15 tackles per game). He has been quietly sitting there in the middle of the first round in most mocks, but his combine was impressive. He is probably a legit 8-15 pick.

[MHS831]

Keuchly is reasonable, but our OT depth is far worse than our DB depth with the #2.

I was going on the "We will probably release Wharton (salary), Otah is done" theory.

[carpanfan96]

It probably won't happen, but RR is a LB nut, and there is a logic to it. With the quesiton marks at LB, you need to be sure at MLB.

My thought was this > If Beason isn't close to himself or re injures his Achilles, then we have our Mike. If Beason comes back, then we have a new SLB and the team can move Kuechly at SLB.

Anderson has played WLB before and played well, Kuechly showed some pretty good athleticism at the combine and his game tape is excellent. I think he showed that he could at least play SLB in the NFL. It immediately makes LB a strength on the team again and give the team plenty of depth if Beason and Davis are both healthy.

[Actionman0z]

Can he (Luke) play every spot?

[carpanfan96]

Can he (Luke) play every spot?

I'm not sure about WLB, but I think so. He showed some athleticism I didn't think he had. Very smart player with good instincts, which is probably why his game film didn't look like he would have good combine numbers showing above average athleticism.

[MHS831]

My thought was this > If Beason isn't close to himself or re injures his Achilles, then we have our Mike. If Beason comes back, then we have a new SLB and the team can move Kuechly at SLB.

Anderson has played WLB before and played well, Kuechly showed some pretty good athleticism at the combine and his game tape is excellent. I think he showed that he could at least play SLB in the NFL. It immediately makes LB a strength on the team again and give the team plenty of depth if Beason and Davis are both healthy.

Hate to move anderson, but you are right. We need top LBs. I think RR is going to say that. Of course, the DL needs to be primed and running too. Address these needs, and we will be better in the secondary with our current personnel, not that I am suggesting that.

I think Meeks was fired for a reason. Our DBs looked confused, took bad angles, poor fundamentals. I think coaching more than drafting is in order.

Godfrey-Third rounder

Martin-Second rounder

Gamble-First rounder

Butler-second rounder

Hogan- (do not forget this guy) fourth rounder (second rounder without baggage)

Munnerlyn (7th rounder)

We should be better. I would like a CB and S, but maybe we needed a coach.

[carpanfan96]

Hate to move anderson, but you are right. We need top LBs. I think RR is going to say that. Of course, the DL needs to be primed and running too. Address these needs, and we will be better in the secondary with our current personnel, not that I am suggesting that.

I think Meeks was fired for a reason. Our DBs looked confused, took bad angles, poor fundamentals. I think coaching more than drafting is in order.

Godfrey-Third rounder

Martin-Second rounder

Gamble-First rounder

Butler-second rounder

Hogan- (do not forget this guy) fourth rounder (second rounder without baggage)

Munnerlyn (7th rounder)

We should be better. I would like a CB and S, but maybe we needed a coach.

They don't necessarily have to move Anderson, but I think that Kuechly is a better fit at SLB then WLB. Anderson having experience at WLB makes the move more reasonable. They would honestly probably try Kuechly at WLB first and if that didn't work out, then switch them around early on.