Colin Hoggard’s Seven Round Panthers Mock Draft
Round 1 – #24, Marcus Davenport DE UTSA
The Panthers want to get Cam another weapon, but with Ridley and Moore off the board (if one of them is there, they are likely the choice), the focus switches to defense. Rather than reaching for a safety, the Panthers focus on the front seven and select an athletic freak, with room to grow. Had Julius Peppers not resigned, the need for DE help would’ve been glaring, but the long-term need is still real and the unit could use another impact athlete, which Davenport can provide while getting to learn for a year. Depending on how the board falls, an offensive tackle to play right tackle early with the notion of kicking over to left at some point could be their WR consolation.
Round 2 – #55, Nick Chubb RB UGA
If the Panthers go first round defense, they’ll likely look to the offense in the second round. First and second round offensive selections seem plausible, but not on the defense. Unfortunately, the interior offensive linemen they may covet are gone and instead they pick up the perfect compliment for Christian McCaffrey and Cam Newton in the backfield. If the Panthers go offense in the first round and a safety falls to 55 (Reid or Bates specifically), they would definitely be in play.
Round 3 – #85, Mike Gesicki TE Penn State
A team may fall in love with his athleticism and draft him higher than 85, but Gesicki is another weapon (just not as a blocker) for Cam to work with. Another pick with at least a year to learn from one of the best to ever do it for the Panthers, while filling a need and increasing depth in the short term.
Round 3 – #88, Kyzir White S West Virginia
The Panthers look to fill another defensive void, either at safety or defensive end. Since I gave them Davenport in the first (could be Chad Thomas or Sam Hubbard here), we look to the defensive backfield and add another run supporter, who also has some production in the passing game (3 INTs as a senior). White’s regarded as a team leader, who could be the captain that a unit in flux needs.
Round 5 – #161, Will Clapp C LSU
Unable to land a high-level replacement for Ryan Kalil, the team opts for a swing interior lineman who blocked for one of college football’s best traditional running attacks. Also a pick who can handle being pressed into duty sooner than later, not a given for any pick, let alone a day 3 pick. Another player to learn for a year, from one of the departing leaders as well.
Round 6 – #197, Darrel Williams RB LSU
If the Panthers don’t net Chubb or another RB before now, they’ll still be searching for a situational back to play alongside CMC. Williams gives them a sure-handed power back, with loads of experience, that they can use in a myriad of support ways. If not a RB, CB or OL could be the pick.
Round 7 – #234, Avonte Maddox CB Pitt
Another small corner to compete for the nickel spot, and compete he will.
Round 7 – #242, Oren Burks OLB Vanderbilt
Some special teams/linebacker depth since the team will have four games without TD. Burks played his first two years at safety, so that makes him an interesting prospect, at the very least for training camp.
Next Up: Managing Editor Josh Klein Pulls The Trigger on A First Round Wide Receiver
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