Dennis Walsh’s Seven Round Panthers Mock Draft
Round 1 – #24, Justin Reid S Stanford
Although some may consider the Panthers top pick of a safety a little bit of a reach, it would be tough for me personally to pass on Justin Reid. The Panthers certainly filled a good depth hole in free agency with Da’Norris Searcy, but still lack that ball-hawking safety that could strive in the Carolina defense, especially with the release of Kurt Coleman. Reid has also performed well in man coverage and coming in at 6’1, 204 pounds, has shown his ability to match up with big receivers well which the NFC South has their fair share of – Reid checks the boxes for me in what the Panthers need hovering over their defensive backfield. Don’t forget, Reid visited the Panthers in Charlotte on April 16th.
I do worry that a New England Patriots team looking past 2018 could swoop in and pluck Reid with the 23rd pick they just acquired in the Brandin Cooks trade.
Round 2 – #55, Rashaad Penny RB San Diego State
I’m sure I’ll never hear the end of spending two consecutive high draft picks on the running back position from the CMC haters, but as I mentioned last season, it’s a “different tasks for different backs” league these days and the Panthers are now looking for a replacement in the power game that Jonathan Stewart previously played the lead role in. Coach Rivera stressed not giving up on Cameron Artis-Payne in this area which is great for depth, but it leaves many questions as to if that is really the best answer. Here in the second round, they can find their guy who can get the physical short yardage to keep moving the sticks; From Penny’s NFL.com draft overview, he can be a “volume-carry running back with the short-area foot quickness to create yardage for himself, but he doesn’t really have the burst or long speed to be a homerun hitter.” Considering the backs and option run offense the Panthers can have in 2018, this checks the boxes for me for a Jonathan Stewart replacement and compliment to Christian McCaffrey. Penny also interviewed with the Panthers at his San Diego State Pro Day in addition to having a scheduled formal visit.
Round 3 – #85, Donte Jackson CB LSU
Even with the breakout rookie season from James Bradberry two years ago, the need to bolster the cornerback position is definitely a priority again for the Panthers in this draft. In the third round, I have the Panthers taking what some are calling the fastest player in this year’s draft in corner Donte Jackson out of LSU. Jackson has shown the ability to play both outside and in the slot and is also known for “baiting” quarterbacks into throwing interceptions due to his ability to undersell his speed and recover tremendously as seen by defensive backs like Jamal Adams and even Josh Norman in the 2015 game-clinching interception over the Saints. He might not be the most physical cornerback on the field, but Jackson’s athleticism, speed and ball skills in both the slot and outside could be what the Panthers defense has been missing.
Round 3 – #88, Dalton Schultz TE Stanford
How ironic, a tight end pick at number 88. The Panthers need to address their backup TE position this year as well as a look towards the future for a long term replacement to Greg Olsen when his time is done; while Olsen looks for more clarity to his future in Charlotte, the Panthers need to look to this years draft to strengthen the position regardless. With some of the top tight ends off the board in this mock, they can hopefully still find value in the third round. Stanford head coach David Shaw called TE Dalton Schultz the most “complete” tight end Stanford has had in recent years and at 6’6″ with great hands, he can be an excellent target over the middle for Newton while also excelling in both the run and pass blocking game. Even as a TE2, this checks the boxes of something the Panthers could be improving on immediately from Ed Dickson. Schultz met with the Panthers at the NFL Combine in Indy.
Round 5 – #161, Tony Adams G NC State
With the glaring need for a guard in the void left by Andrew Norwell, the Panthers need to look to add some bodies in the draft. In hindsight, this might have even been a little late to address the offensive line but in the fifth round, there may still be some value around, such as guard Tony Adams from NC State. While he might not be the optimal size for an NFL guard, one thing that stands out with Adams is his footwork and his ability to fit into most running schemes as well as being very disciplined at the position penalty-wise. Considering the importance of a good run blocking guard in the Panthers offense, the hope is he can provide the depth to Taylor Moton, Trai Turner and possibly newly signed Jeremiah Sirles to keep this position solid. The Panthers hosted Adams for a pre-draft workout and visit.
Round 6 – #197, Parry Nickerson CB Tulane
The cornerback position definitely needs to be a focus in this year’s draft for me with the departure of Daryl Worley and the uncertainly of Captain Munnerlyn’s future with the Panthers. I went with a double dip in this draft with speedster slot corner Parry Nickerson out of Tulane; Nickerson, who found himself on an island with receivers more often than not, has tremendous ball skills and great ability to press off the line, but may need to improve on his tackling to be a true nickel corner in the NFL. With the ball in his hands he becomes very dangerous intercepting four passes and returning them for 171 yards in 2016. I like his upside here in the sixth round. The Panthers were present at his Tulane pro day on April 3rd.
Round 7 – #234, Jake Wieneke WR South Dakota State
Perhaps a little late to look at WR for a team who was at the bottom of the league in the position, but with a healthy depth chart and the top options off the board in earlier rounds, I decided to take a late flyer on Wieneke. At 6’4 and 213 pounds, Wieneke could serve as the big slot receiver the Panthers have never really had creating size mismatches over the middle and be yet another big red zone weapon for Cam. (one could argue finding a WR who can help get to the red zone is more of a thorn in the Panthers side, which is fair). Jake also checked the community service box by recently taking a mission trip to Africa to help it’s children’s social and physical needs.
Round 7 – #242, Ade Aruna EDGE Toledo
Couldn’t wrap up this year’s draft without at least looking for some edge help with the likelihood of this being the last hurrah for Julius Peppers. For the Panthers last pick, some possible value could be found in Ade Aruna out of Toledo, who somehow ended up still on the board for the team’s final pick. Aruna who has played in both a 4-3 and 3-4 defense has the traits of a strong edge setter; his massive hands and athleticism shown at the Combine got him the nod here. On the downside, Aruna seems more of an edge setter vs. a true edge rusher as he struggled to actually get to the quarterback on a standard rush at times, but think he deserves a look here at 242 as someone who displayed good contain technique against scrambling quarterbacks.
Twitter: @KeepPounDENN
