Zack Luttrell’s Seven Round Panthers Mock Draft
Round 1 – #24, Hayden Hurst TE South Carolina
One consistent theme we’ve heard from the Panthers following the conclusion of the 2017 season was that they are going to get Cam Newton more weapons, so look for the Panthers to spend the 24th overall pick on doing just that. With the lack of round one WR talent this year and the rise of teams with WR need (if the Panthers could grab DJ Moore with this pick they would, but he’s going to be gone) picking before the Panthers (see: Dallas, Seattle, Baltimore, etc…) the Panthers’ best value is going to be finding the heir apparent to Greg Olsen and a day 1 contributor at TE for Cam. Hurst is not my favorite TE prospect, but it’s no secret that the Panthers have shown a lot of interest in him and for this pick, he’s a very realistic target.
Round 2 – #55, Frank Ragnow C/G Arkansas
This was a tough pick for me because at pick #55, the Panthers should have a few options to draft a solid player at a position of need – specifically Ragnow or Wake Forest S Jesse Bates III. But even with the great need to get younger and better at the safety position, the Panthers will look to find a day 1 replacement for Andrew Norwell who could also be the heir apparent to Ryan Kalil at center; this move would also allow the Panthers to keep Taylor Moton at his natural tackle position and add depth to the OL. Couple all of this with the fact that the Panthers have historically placed minimal value at safety, look for them to bolster their OL with Big Frank. Make sure to check out the video of Frank dunking to help you get excited over an OL pick.
Round 3 – #85, Nick Chubb RB Georgia
Sticking with the weapons theme and as Colin Hoggard suggested, the Panthers go out and get their hammer to shore up the power run game with the departure of Jonathan Stewart to the Giants. Reducing the number of short yardage carries for Cam Newton to help preserve his body and extend his career is a priority and Chubb has the ability to be that plus a nice compliment to Christian McCaffrey for the Panthers; I’m not fooled by Coach Rivera saying he thinks CAP can fill the role and the Panthers have shown plenty of interest in the UGA RB, so look for them to bolster their backfield in round 3. **Disclaimer** I’m breaking the rules of the mock exercise a little bit because I don’t think Chubb makes it to pick 85. But the Panthers have shown enough interest in him that I anticipate them making a move to grab him if necessary, possibly by packing next year’s 3rd round comp pick.
Round 3 – #88, Daesean Hamilton WR Penn State
Even with the additions of Torrey Smith and Jarius Wright in free agency, the Panthers aren’t done adding playmakers at the WR position for Cam Newton. The team has shown plenty of interest in the WRs in this draft, including being in attendance for the Penn State Pro Day, so look for them to add another talent to that group on day 2. Hamilton would be a nice addition, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Curtis Samuel’s injury and the durability of Damiere Byrd.
Round 5 – #161, Skai Moore OLB South Carolina
The Panthers wait until round five to make any moves to add players to the defense, and the first defensive pick isn’t at a position where most fans expect a player to be added. With the looming suspension and possible end of the season retirement of Thomas Davis, the Panthers have some question marks at the linebacking group that has historically been one of their strengths. Look for the Panthers to add some possible LB depth as well as special teams play in the fifth.round.
Round 6 – #197, Parry Nickerson CB Tulane
The Panthers lost out on what would have been a solid swap by GM Marty Hurney to replace traded CB Daryl Worley with Breshad Breeland, when Breeland failed his physical. Adding Ross Cockrell to pair with James Bradberry is a decent countermove, but the Panthers will still look to add some depth to their secondary; Nickerson is a name that has been heating up as a possible late-round pick at CB.
Round 7 – #234, Riley Ferguson QB Memphis
The Panthers will look to add another young QB to compete with Garrett Gilbert to be their QB2 and replace Derek Anderson on the roster. The Panthers have shown interest in the Memphis QB and Charlotte native; Look for Ferguson to get his shot to return home and compete for a spot on the team
Round 7 – #242, Dane Cruikshank S Arizona
Since the Panthers miss out on Justin Reid, who will fall between their round one and round two picks, and opt for Ragnow over Bates III in round two, they look to add some late round depth to the safety position. If the draft does fall this way and they’re not able to add a safety earlier, I would expect the Panthers to be back in the market for an additional free agent to add to this group before the start of their offseason activities.
Next Up: Colin Hoggard’s Gets Younger On The Defensive Line
Twitter: @KeepPounDENN
