First Mock Draft

[uscgamecocks]

Free Agency: I'm expecting the Panthers to bring back Munnerlyn and Dwan Edwards and for the team to bring in a starting NT to replace Edwards. I would also expect a mid level G to be brought in to compete with Hangartner at RG. Gamble is cut to create cap space.

Mock Draft picks 1-13

Chiefs - L. Joeckel*

Jaguars - E. Fisher*

Raiders - G. Smith

Eagles - D. Jordan

Lions - D. Millner*

Browns - S. Floyd

Cardinals - L. Johnson*

Bills - S. Lotulei*

Jets - E. Ansah

Titans - C. Warmack

Chargers - C. Patterson*

Dolphins - D. Trufant*

Bucs - X. Rhodes

Panthers Draft:

Round 1 - Keenan Allen, WR (alt. Q. Patton, WR)

Round 2 - John Jenkins, DT (alt. J. Williams, DT or D. Slay, CB)

Round 4 - D.J. Swearinger, S

Round 5 - Kwame Geathers, DT

Round 6 - O. Uzzi, G

Round 6 - D. Holloman, LB

Draft Thoughts:

I'd take any of the starred picks above ahead of Allen. Panthers have to be hoping an LT falls but there are a ton of teams that need O Line help drafting ahead of the Panthers.

Allen- I don't necessarily love Allen at 14 but this is my guess of what the Panthers will do if the top of the draft plays out as outlined above. I think WR will be one of the first two picks to help Cam now and begin transitioning Smith to a lesser role. With that in mind, Allen seems to be connected to Phroel and he would provide an instant upgrade at WR2. Not an AJ Green or Julio Jones level prospect but few are. If Allen is the pick, I'd love to trade down 5 to 10 spots and pick up a 2nd or 3rd rounder if possible. If Allen is gone at that point you grab Patton.

Jenkins - Deep draft for DTs and the Panthers need young talent at the position. I'd be thrilled with either Jenkins or Williams in the second. Would also like a CB at this spot (Slay).

Swearinger - This is a very deep safety class and he is an excellent value in the 4th. Good coverage (played CB in nickel package), excellent hitter, and creates turnovers.

Geathers - I don't think he lasts this long but if he does we take him here. Better than Fua.

Uzzi - Insert young guard depth here. Uzzi may be gone so just grab the best one.

Holloman - A poor man's Thomas Davis, good tackler and good in the open field. Depth at WLB.

Draft day trades:

Sliding down in the first and getting Allen or Patton should net the Panthers a second round or third round pick. Doubt there will be a ton of demand to move up in this draft but it is possible. If that happens, I think we grab the best CB available with that pick.

Kicker - hopefully at some point we pick up a late round pick. Draft a kicker with said pick.

[RockyTopVol]

I'd rather have Warmack and Rhodes than Allen, too.

[toldozer]

Yeah why wouldnt you want rhodes?

[carolina-chuck]

Not bad

[DaCityKats]

not bad, i was going to do one with the same first 2 picks.

[uscgamecocks]

I'd rather have Warmack and Rhodes than Allen, too.

I wouldn't argue with either of those picks over Allen. I'd prefer a WR to G based purely on positional value, which slightly outweighs the talent differential between Warmack and Allen in my mind.

I was going back and forth on Rhodes vs. Allen. I lean towards WR for the Panthers because I think the Panthers are going to err on the side of helping Cam vs. the defense in this offseason, but I really like Rhodes' athleticism. And I didn't realize until now that he is 6'1" -- taller CBs will be a necessity in our division going forward.

[CollegePanther]

I really like DJ Swearinger in the 4th. Other than that, not bad.

[Panthersguru14]

I would prefer slay in the second if we get geathers In the 5th

[Bwood]

Haha, Keenan Allen.

[nagai]

I like Keenan Allen. If he didn't get injured he would be talked about like AJ Green imo. Smooth athlete, great hands and ball skills, runs decent routes. Most importantly, he's been productive. His injury does scare me though. He had a grade 2 PCL strain - that's a partial tear.

[panther4life]

Would love this draft. I think Jenkins is the most under rated DT in the draft and highly doubt he last that long but I'd love it.

[RockyTopVol]

My question about Rhodes, is will he play CB or safety? We need both, I was just wondering.

[DaCityKats]

My question about Rhodes, is will he play CB or safety? We need both, I was just wondering.

his ideal system would be a press man playing cb were he could beat up wr's.

[Bwood]

Rhodes is best at corner, but definitely wouldn't be a bad safety either.

Regardless the guy is going to have a nice career wherever his coach wants to play him.