This is how I see the first 8 picks going down in a rather wild first round.
1. Indianapolis Colts :: Andrew Luck QB Stanford
2. Washington Redskins :: Robert Griffin III QB Baylor
3. Minnesota Vikings :: Matt Kalil OT USC
4. Cleveland Browns :: Trent Richardson RB Alabama
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers :: Morris Claiborne CB LSU
6. St. Louis Rams :: Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi St.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars :: Stephon Gilmore CB South Carolina
8. Miami Dolphins :: Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M
9. Carolina Panthers :: Justin Blackmon WR, Oklahoma St.
A lot of fans will hate this pick, but in 8 to 10 years when Cam Newton and Justin Blackmon have won multiple championships and cemented themselves as one of the greatest offensive duos of all time, They'll thank Mr. Hurney for always sticking to that "BPA" mind set going into the draft. I'd really like to trade out of this spot in all honesty, but the price might just not be right and maybe Hurney wont be able to resist on such a valuable prospect.
40. Carolina Panthers :: Nick Perry DE, USC
Nick Perry's stock is falling, but his talent is definitely first round worthy. I think Perry is the best pass rusher in this draft. He has shown nothing but progress during his time at USC, and with more experience at the next level he could develop into a stud DE. Pass rush makes your corners look better. Pass rush equals turnovers, you don't need to spend high picks on cornerbacks if you can get to the QB.
104. Carolina Panthers :: Dwight Bentley CB, Louisiana Lafayette
Like I said in the analysis above, you can draft late round defensive backs and mold them into good players if you have the pass rush to allow them to develop. Hogan and Butler are decent corners with room to grow, you add another guy like Bentley to compete with them and move Captain back to the nickle, and you have pretty decent secondary with a new and improved pass rush.
143. Carolina Panthers :: Lucas Nix OG, Pittsburgh
There's a number of names you could put here, the fact of the matter is that we'll be looking to pick up a dependable back up offensive linemen sooner rather than later in the draft. Nix is probably the best offensive guard available at this point.
180. Carolina Panthers :: Miles Burris OLB, San Diego St.
Need a back up linebacker, I've heard a lot of good things from numerous scouts about Burris. I just don't think we're looking for a guy to come in and start, we just need good depth to avoid a disaster baring an injury.
207. Carolina Panthers :: Akiem Hicks DT, Regina College
This is just a pick I feel like we've been associated with for awhile now ever since we should interest at the senior bowl. I think Rivera is comfortable with his DT's especially with Edwards returning, and bigger bodies like Shirley and Kearse still competing.
216. Carolina Panthers :: Brad Nortman P, Wisconsin
Another guy we've showed interest in. I think its inevitable we take a punter but there is no reason to waste a pick earlier than a 7th.
