Icege's Mock Draft v2.0

[Icege]

1st. Chance Warmack, RG, Alabama

2nd. Kawann Short, DT, Purdue

4th. DJ Swearinger, FS, South Carolina

5th. Joseph Fauria, TE, UCLA

6th. Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State

UDFA Michael Dyer, RB, Arkansas Baptist College

UDFA Ryan Allen, P, Lousianna Tech

UDFA Tyler Bitancurt K, WVU

UDFA Philip Lutzenkirchen, TE, Auburn

The team currently has the #5 pick in the draft, but chances are the team can pick up at least one more win against Oakland, likely two at New Orleans. San Diego has always been tough in December though, so that is up in the air. Then again, there are no guarantees in the NFL.

With that said, I am sick at the black hole that is the RG position. Duke Robinson never panned out, and since then it has been a revolving door (both on and off the field). Hangartner was not playing well at the start of the season before taking over for Kalil, and Garry Williams will end up being due a little over $1 million next season (a price that he isn't worth imo). Chance Warmack is the best player on the Alabama offensive line. I repeat, the best player on their line. Arguably the best line in college football. What more needs to be said? Carolina might be picking closer to #9, maybe even out of the top 10. Let JStew run behind this beast and we might just see a resurrection in the HBs being our primary source of rushing yards. He'd be able to hit the field immediately, which is something I'd like to see out of the first pick.

Dwan and Ron Edwards are both in strange positions. Dwan has played great, but is on a one year deal. Ron is due over $2 million next season. I personally would like to see both of them keeping the interior solid, giving Short time to develop as Dwan's replacement at UT while hopefully either Kearse or Fua develop into the starting NT. As the 2nd round pick I'd like for him to realistically compete for a starting position, but being able to rotate in frequently will also hasten the development/evaluation process.

I like Swearinger and think he'll rise a bit on draft boards. Nothing needs to be said about the FS position on the team, it speaks for itself.

Fauria would be a great H-back, assuming the system doesn't change too much. Barnidge and Hartsock are both due to hit free agency, and the current staff is very fond of versatility (which the position itself is).

Marquess Wilson was one of the top rated WR before quitting WSU and accusing Mike Leach of being Mike Leach. He has a great catching radius though and is at his best going for jump balls, which Cam throws quite a bit of (though his mechanics looked exponentially better vs. Atlanta. Let's see if that continues). With Armanti's time in Carolina being done with other return and receiving prospects, Wilson would provide more depth at the position. Between LaFell, Gettis, and Wilson there is bound to be somebody that at the very least can be a placeholder for Steve Smith until a new #1 is found.

Michael Dyer was a beast and Cam is familiar with him. If DWill is dealt I wouldn't mind seeing Dyer in camp and potentially being stashed away on the practice squad. Nortman is terrible. Gano will cost close to $1 million and if Bitancurt can get the job done, I'd rather go with the younger, cheaper player. Lutzenkirchen and Fauria can compete for the #1 H-back/#2 TE spot.

This is assuming that Beason, Gross, and Gamble will re-structure to help out with cap space. DWill as well, unless he can be dealt.

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

Love this draft! Well done.

[Growl]

Yeah no Guards.

[Jackofalltrades]

I wouldn't draft a OG in the top 10, under any circumstance. Especially with our need at DT vs the two prospects available,

[Riverboat Ron]

I've been pondering a draft scenario where we are in a position to trade down a few picks to a QB needy team and take Warmack. I couldn't imagine taking him at #5. DeCastro fell last year and given that Hutchinson went #17 and Iupati went the same, I'd love Warmack in the 12-15 range. I'd argue that Warmack's the best OG prospect I've ever seen.

[Matthias]

Pretty good draft. I think both Lotululei and Hankins will have immediate impacts on their teams, but it may take time for other DT prospects to develop.

[Swaggasaurus]

Really like the players. Swearinger and Wilson will go in rounds 3 and 4.

[La Pantera]

If we could trade down the Warmack pick would be good. But not top 10.

[carolina-chuck]

I would even pick an OG in top15. That's just me though. Trade down to the 20s, yeah.

[pantherj]

I've thought Warmack was special for two years now, and I certainly wouldn't mind taking him in the first. Gross | Silatolu | Kalil | Warmack | Bell. I'd be thrilled. But then again we have so many holes to fill that we might try to trade down if possible. And we really don't know who might fall to us for whatever reason, but I like this mock.

[Jackofalltrades]

OG is just such a low impact position I can't justify taking one that high. I love line play and believe the games are decided there, but OG just doesn't carry enough weight for me.

[Icege]

Mind you I wouldn't take Warmack at #5. I'm assuming the team gets two more wins and drops down to the #9-13 position.

*fingers crossed*

[Bwood]

OG is just such a low impact position I can't justify taking one that high. I love line play and believe the games are decided there, but OG just doesn't carry enough weight for me.

Tell that to Geoff Hangartner...

You will notice how great adding Warmack would be when he doesn't let anyone touch Newton and clears lanes for our backs all day.

Warmack is being called better than Steve Hutchinson.

[Icege]

Cleveland Browns

Record: 5-8

Chance Warmack*, G, Alabama

This is not the sexiest pick and Browns fans probably would express some frustration initially, but Warmack is a flat-out stud who would instantly improve their offensive line. He is one of the best guards I've ever evaluated, an easy mover in pass protection who shows plenty of smarts and is also a nasty run-blocker. Cleveland RB Trent Richardson (a former teammate of Warmack) and QB Brandon Weeden would surely offer their stamps of approval.

Happened to run across this on the new mock done by McShay (he has the Panthers taking Hankins @ #5, Lolutulei if available).