Matthias' Visionary Mock

[Matthias]

This mock is based on our final record being 3-13, and having the first overall pick in the 2013 draft. The set up will be free agency period, the draft, and finally the roster projection. Enjoy!

Free Agency Period:

A. Free Agent Signings- (I'm going to list my top free agents)

Jairus Byrd:

Position- Free Safety

Ht- 5'10"

Wt- 203

Sean Smith:

Position- Cornerback

Ht- 6'3"

Wt- 214

Randy Starks:

Position- Defensive Tackle

Ht- 6'3"

Wt- 305

B. Trades and other moves-

Trade first overall pick for- 1st (3rd overall), 2nd, 3rd, and 1st 2014

Trade our 2nd for a later 2nd and 3rd

Trade Jordan Gross for a 3rd rounder

Trade Chris Gamble for a 4th rounder

Release DeAngelo Williams

Release Charles Godfrey

Release Haruki Nakamura

Release Ron Edwards

NFL Draft:

1st Round (3rd overall)

Luke Joeckel

Of course, not too long ago I realized he is a junior. If he wanted to, he could go back to college, and try to win a national championship with Johnny Football. I wouldn't be surprised if he eletced to stay in college, in that case our pick would then be Star Lotulelei, and we would draft a T prospect with one of our second rounders. With all that said, we all know Joeckel's resume, he is the best T prospect out of this class. Excellent replacement for Gross.

2nd Round (35th overall trade)

TJ McDonald

The big physical safety we've been missing. (Have this franchise ever had a big safety?) USC has a recent history of putting out good defensive players, and TJ looks to be another guy in that list. Hopefully he will help lock down the safety spot for us.

2nd Round (trade)

Alvin Bailey

A big road grader. Excellent guy to have on the right side, solidifying our line for years to come. He also came from a passing offense at Arkansas, so he can hold his own. With a little bit of experience, I think he could eye down Suh!

3rd Round (trade)

Joseph Fauria

Great athletic skill, and can block. Has starting potential, but would be a great tag team partner to Greg Olsen here in the Carolinas.

3rd Round (trade)

Cobi Hamilton

A big, fast receiver is just what the doctor ordered for Cam. I thought Gettis would show his stuff this year, but between injury and coaching pride, he won't be able to show anything for the new coach to conisder him next year. (Of course perhaps Gettis will stay long enough to show his stuff for the new coach during preseason. I'll entertain that possibility) With all that said, Hamilton could be a Julio Jones in training.

4th Round

Devin Taylor

This would complete a serious monster rotation at the DE spot for us. Devin Taylor has NFL calibur talent, we are talking being able to start for most teams within 2 years or less. Teams will be wetting their beds at night at the thought of playing CJ, Hardy, Alexander, and Taylor come gametime.

4th Round (trade)

DJ Swearinger

I know many of you SC fans think Swearinger will be gone before the 4th round, but I don't think so. If guys like Lester and Reid will fall into the third round, they being more well known, Swearinger will probably fall as a result. He hasn't put up spectacular numbers, but the thing I like about him is his solid play. He would be a great guy to have for special team coverage, and could push for a starting position. After this draft, our safety spot will be stacked with talent.

5th Round

Darius Slay

A decent corner prospect. With a first rounder on the other side of him, I'm sure he's seen a lot of passes gone his way.

6th Round

Trey Millard

A bruiser of a fullback. It's time we get back to running the ball with a punch, and Millard will help pave the way for Stew and Tolbert.

Roster Projection:

Offense

QB: Cam Newton, Back up

RB: Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert

FB: Trey Millard ®

TE: Greg Olsen, Joseph Fauria ®

WR: Steve Smith, David Gettis, Joe Adams

WR: Brandon LaFell, Cobi Hamilton ®

LT: Luke Joeckel ®, Back up

LG: Amini Silatolu, Back up

C: Ryan Kalil, Back up

RG: Alvin Bailey ®, Back up

RT: Byron Bell, Back up

Defense

RE: Greg Hardy, Frank Alexander

DT: Randy Starks (FA), Back up

DT: Dwan Edwards, Back up

LE: Charles Johnson, Devin Taylor ®

OLB: Thomas Davis, James Anderson

MLB: Luke Kuechly, Back up

OLB: Jon Beason, Back up

CB: Josh Norman, Darius Slay ®

FS: Jarius Byrd (FA), Sherrod Martin

SS: TJ McDonald ®, DJ Swearinger ®

CB: Sean Smith (FA), Capt. Munnerlyn

Special Teams

KR: Joe Adams

PR: Joe Adams

K: ?

P: ?

So there you have it. My scenario should we end up with the number one pick. Some believe no one will trade up to pick a QB this year. In free agency, the best QB available will be our own Derek Anderson. So I'm led to believe someone will trade up and take a chance on either Barkley or Smith. (Smith may be the front runner here) With all the success RG3 is having, and Smith was having a better year than RG3 had his final year at Baylor until they started losing, I definitely think a team will jump up to the number one pick. (I'm looking at the Chiefs and Cardinals)

[Panthersguru14]

If this ever did happen I'd cry with tears of joy but The odds are against this scenario but I do love the mock

[Panthersguru14]

Just to clarify are you saying we are going to sign all of these free agents?

[Matthias]

Just to clarify are you saying we are going to sign all of these free agents?

Jarius Byrd will be the big fish signing. I think we should have enough money to sign one big, but not that big name. Hopefully the Bills have a bigger cat to slap the franchise tag on, because I know Jarius wants out of town. With Sean Smith, he's a slightly above average corner, who could still get better. I don't think he will ask for big corner money, but a decent payday. Randy Starks shouldn't ask for a lot either. I think we could sign those guys once we get rid of a couple of current players and contracts.

[Panthersguru14]

Jarius Byrd will be the big fish signing. I think we should have enough money to sign one big, but not that big name. Hopefully the Bills have a bigger cat to slap the franchise tag on, because I know Jarius wants out of town. With Sean Smith, he's a slightly above average corner, who could still get better. I don't think he will ask for big corner money, but a decent payday. Randy Starks shouldn't ask for a lot either. I think we could sign those guys once we get rid of a couple of current players and contracts.

That makes sense thanks for the clarification

[carolina-chuck]

Wow! I don't know what to say.

Trade Gross? Trade Gamble? Release TD? Release Godfrey?

No way we signs all those FAs. And Trestman, really?

And I just don't believe no team this year is going to get a fortune of picks to trade down. I can't see no one wanting to trade up except maybe the Rams. And all I see them giving up is their 2nd alone. There's no RG3 in this draft. Geno may likely be the 1st pick and Barkley will not force any team to trade up for him.

[Panthersguru14]

Yeah I agree I don't like all of the players that you released because you're not goin to save money by cutting these guys but I like the picks like I said before

[Matthias]

Trading Gross, Gamble,and releasing Edwards and D-Will should save us a bundle of money. The other guys I'm releasing either because of bad play, or they just won't be starters next year. Thomas Davis is a good player, but I don't want a situation like this year, trying to find a way to play all our linebackers. Kuechly's play became notably better by becoming our middle linebacker, but the main reason why he all of a sudden became a force in our defense, is because he was on the field. At the beginning of the year, Kuechly probably didn't play 20% of our defensive snaps per game. He started at OLB, but Davis played and finished the game at OLB. So I don't want to see another situation like that, where Beason and TD are fighting for snaps. If TD was content in playing a back up role and special teams coverage, I would love for him to stick around. (I would release him, and give him a decent back up role contract) Yet he probably wants to start, and that is not happening here.

Godfrey is average at best, shouldn't have to explain why he's been released.

[SOJA]

I honestly think Godfrey is a better player than the guy from USC

[Matthias]

I'm willing to put my good name on the line :cool: , that Swearinger is the hidden gem of this entire draft. Not saying he's the best player, but the most well kept secret. Yet all in all, both safeties in my mock are 10 times better than Godfrey. The fact they played safety throughout their collegiate career is a definite plus over Godfrey.

[Jackofalltrades]

I wouldn't cut Davis or Godfrey.

Davis is the soul of the team with what he's been through AND he's an impact player- a true difference maker.

Godfrey is getting better, if he would just work on wrapping up rather than going for the big hit he'd be even better.

Outside of that, I'd mess my britches if something like this came to fruition.

[Qc_Panthers]

Nice mock but I don't think that the panthers will finish with the worst record and Trestman sign a four year extension with the Als

[R0CKnR0LLA]

No way Jarius Byrd hits free agency. The Bills are already working out an extension with him. If they can't get a deal done in time they'll use the franchise tag.

[Cary Kollins]

Wish this would happen...but there is no way we end up with the number one pick.