OnlyPantherFaninMaine

I'd absolutely love Parker here I was just operating under the assumption he wouldn't be available. I like Strong as well just like Perriman a little better for this offense.

I'd be happy with Abdullah as well. Love his game.

RB isn't necessarily what I want in the 2nd...but looking at who we have brought in and where they are projected to go I think Gettleman wants a back early on and Coleman would be my preference.

I wanted to post this in the main forum rather than the draft page to get more feedback and have a larger discussion on some of the prospects mentioned below. I wanted to take a tackle earlier but with the additions of Oher and Martin, I just do not think Gettleman is targeting a tackle very early this year. The majority of players in this mock have already met with the Panthers this off-season. I recommended visiting Ken's thread "Prospect Meetings by Position" in the NFL Draft section of this message board to see the extensive list of guys we have been interested in since the draft process began. He does a great job of keeping it updated. No mock draft will satisfy everyone but I think this draft would go a long way towards locking up a third straight division title for the 2015 Carolina Panthers. (1) 25th Breshad Perriman, WR Central Florida 6'2" 212lbs. I know what you're thinking..."workout warrior/late riser", "suspect hands", "poor route running" etc. I get all that. Prior to running somewhere in the 4.2-4.3 range at his pro day, Perriman was seen by many as a fringe first round talent but was more likely going to be an early second round selection. He improved every year at UCF despite poor quarterback play his final year in school. He displays the ideal size and athleticism to be a number one receiver in the National Football League. His struggles to consistently catch the football but when you watch the film cut-ups available on him, you will notice it is not so much a technique issue. He is a willing hands catcher and like Kelvin Benjamin, the drops seem to stem more from lapses in concentration. In fact, poor route running and suspect hands did not stop us from drafting Kelvin Benjamin in the first round last season. Perriman is a better athlete than Kelvin Benjamin and has the speed, size, and hops to get vertical on even the best corners in the NFL. He is a threat to go the distance every time the ball is in his hands. The KB and Perriman pair in Carolina would come with its share of frustrating drops and WTF moments, but the upside and explosive plays and mismatches outweigh the risk in my eyes. With Coach Proehl working with him, Perriman could be another stellar rookie. (2) 57th Tevin Coleman, RB Indiana 5'11" 206lbs. It is no secret Gettleman wants another back this upcoming draft. BPA meets need in Indiana's Tevin Coleman, one of my favorite players in the draft. This kid is a powerful and explosive north-south runner that hits holes harder than most backs I've watched. In fact, some of his detractors say he runs almost too hard: shows some lack of patience in his game as he looks to get up to full speed as fast as possible and hits holes that may not even be open. Coleman can carry the load on his own and would be a great option out of the backfield with Stewart and company. Needs to work on running lower behind his pads, but the bottom line is Coleman is a home run threat with the ball in his hands and is a serviceable pass-catcher as well. With Stewart potentially out in Carolina after this year, Coleman could step in and be a workhorse for us going forward. He is a one cut and go back with big play ability this offense has lacked. Has met with the Panthers already this off-season. (3) 89th James Sample, S Louisville 6'2" 209lbs. Big, physical, safety prospect that is relatively inexperienced due to injury and transferring from Washington. NFL body-type and gets downhill quickly in run support. Will likely need to sit and wait behind Harper but I could really see him pushing Harper or Boston as a starter by mid-season. Inexperience hurts his game right now, but Sample would have Coach Wilks salivating to get his hands on him and get him coached up. I believe he could be one of the better safeties from this draft when it is all said and done. Patience would be key with Sample but he'd be an immediate upgrade somewhere on special teams. (4) 124th Laurence Gibson, OT Virginia Tech 6'6" 305lbs. Possesses ideal length and hand size for the position. Shows good foot-speed and lateral quickness but has some bad habits in his game that can be coached up. Would provide valuable depth at the position and potentially could become a solid starter a year or two down the line if he can add strength. Will need to get stronger and improve his technique, but he has the physical traits and quickness to excel in the National Football League. Has met already with the Panthers this off-season. (5) 161st Za'Darius Smith, DE Kentucky 6'4" 274lbs. Big and powerful defensive end that is a good fit inside or outside in our 4-3 defense. Reportedly is a great team player and is an all-effort all the time type player that "plays like his hair is on fire." Not a great athlete and struggles getting low and bending, but he would be a good rotational piece with Ealy, Alexander, Addison, and Horton and could potentially develop into a situational pass-rusher. Has met already with the Panthers and seems like a Gettleman guy that will do the dirty work in the trenches for the betterment of his team. (5) 169th Justin Coleman, CB Tennessee 5'11" 185lbs. Here is the Bene Benwikere of the 2015 draft. Undersized but tough nickel corner prospect that didn't run particularly well but repped 225 on the bench 20 times and was a combine top performer in the 3-come and shuttle drills. Aggressive corner that is physical at the point of attack and excels in zone coverage because of his instincts. Displayed the ball skills we covet with 10 passes defended and 4 interceptions in his 2014 college campaign. Played special teams in college as well. Has met already with the Panthers this off-season and if I had to guess one player that would end up in a Panther uniform from this draft, it is Coleman. Lacks ideal athleticism for the position but "the game is not played in underwear". (5) 174th Chris Conley, WR Georgia 6'2" 213lbs. Freak athlete. One of the combine's top performers after running a 4.35 and posting a 45-inch vertical. Didn't have great college production on a run-heavy Georgia team but has the size and speed combo that may be too hard to ignore at this juncture of the draft. Would instantly come in and compete with the likes of Bersin, Boykin, Brown, and Ginn for a roster spot and playing time. Hands-catcher that shows the ability to adjust in the air and has good body control. Needs work as a route runner and too easily gets redirected and tossed around when corners get their hands on him. He may get drafted higher than he should because of his measurables. The Panthers recently met with Conley on campus. (6) 201st Quayshawn Nealy, LB Georgia Tech 6'1" 235lbs. Below average athlete but a very productive and experienced player in the ACC. Plays with good instincts and actually had quite a few interceptions throughout his career and could potentially succeed in a zone defense in the NFL. Always around the ball and may find a home on special teams if he can make the roster. Will struggle to get off blocks. Has met with the Panthers twice this off-season so interest may be there. (7) 242nd Martin Ifedi, DE Memphis 6'3" 275lbs. Big and powerful end that should fit in a 4-3 defense if he can make a roster. Sub-par athlete by NFL standards but displays power and could be a solid run defender if he can latch on. Works hard and plays through the whistle. Effort guy that Gettleman may like. Diagnoses run plays quickly, possesses a good football acumen, and is coachable.

@RapSheet: Hard not to like what #Panthers have done at tackle: Signed Oher, claimed Martin. Good value, won’t affect comp picks, creates competition Even Ian Rapoport sees the big picture.

He's human.

One year deal.

Who the heck were the three 1,000 yard receivers Cam had in 2013? Greg Olsen was tops on the team in receiving yards in 2013 with 816. Top 10 rushing attack? With Cam's rushing totals added in the ground game ranked 11th in the league but if we are talking strictly production from the running backs...without Cam's 500+ yards on the ground that year we come in a single yard ahead of Miami for the 25th ranked rushing attack in the league. Are you just hoping no one would check your statistics at this point or was it an honest mistake thinking we had three 1,000 yard receivers in 2013 and a rushing attack in the top 10?

Once again the whole weapons around a young quarterback debate really goes back to effort to me more than anything. The Dolphins brought in a pro bowl left tackle. Drafted a tackle early on the same year. Drafted a highly touted WR... brought in another in Wallace although he had mixed results. I'm just waiting for this team to make an honest effort to really set Cam up in position to succeed. Let's hope we draft a receiver early this year and a tackle and running back couldn't hurt. Heck, let's get two tackles with our 9 picks.

Well then we can't discount Miami drafting Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner at the guard position either I suppose. What good does comparing two pretty horrendous offensive lines do? You want to talk about results? About the only memory I have of our offensive line is them getting beat to the tune of 9 sacks on Monday Night Football. We will see what happens this season. Miami will be fine with their pro bowl center, pro bowl left tackle, and 1st round talented right tackle along with a couple young guards getting a chance to gel together and make strides of their own. Our interior looks okay at the moment but we, much like the Dolphins are counting on some young guards to take the next step. Forgive me if I'm not sold on Mike Remmers and Michael Oher as the future or even protecting our quarterback this season. Thankfully there is still a draft coming up but after Gettleman's comments about Oher I don't expect us to bring in a top tackle prospect. We saw how his faith in Bell and Chandler worked out last year.

Albert was playing at an all-pro level before he tore both his MCL and ACL. Remember last night when you couldn't count 2014 when comparing the rushing attacks of the Bengals and Panthers because of injury? And lol at our strategy "proving better" than theirs. As far as I know they actually have two very promising tackles on either side of their line in Albert and James going into this season. Carolina has neither.

Also don't forget to mention that the Dolphins went out and signed the best tackle in free agency last year in Branden Albert and followed that up by drafting another stud tackle in the first. Would be nice to see this team get serious about protecting their quarterback.

Ah yes now I remember that they tendered him. I bet he stays in Cleveland.

Tashaun Gipson is a free agent still? He's a pro bowl safety and young. Must have a price tag on himself that's just not doable.

Me being honest: I'm obviously taking Olsen over Clay. Easily Landry over Cotchery and it's not even close. KB in his rookie year put up some good numbers but left a lot to be desired. If we are talking strictly on the field production and ability, I would have taken a veteran Wallace on a quick one year rental over a raw rookie in Kelvin Benjamin. Going forward, give me KB without Wallace and his antics but Wallace's strengths match up perfectly with Cams. Don't forget their back that ran for 1,100 yards and doubled our backs total touchdowns by himself and a left tackle that actually had a dang good as a rookie. Meanwhile, Byron Bell. For me this whole weapons debate is largely about the effort teams put into actually building around their young quarterbacks rather than it is personnel. Miami went out and drafted a stud tackle, drafted a great receiver in back to back rounds. Hopefully we do the same.

Don't forget Charles Clay either who is a better than average TE and just got a massive contract to back it up.

@Gil_Brandt: I don't worry too much about WRs w/ drops in college. Not too much. Coach Landry believed you could teach player to catch. I agree.

Not to mention how many times he would have been all alone for several easy touchdowns if his QB had the arm to get it to him. Dude simply outran his quarterbacks arm. That doesn't happen with Cam. Cams arm and this dudes legs are a match made in heaven.

I personally hope our depth chart looks like this week 1: Kelvin Perriman or Strong Jennings Ginn Brown That is actually a group teams would have to game plan for and it would open up the running game and help out our 25 year old signal caller immensely.

WR depth chart right now? Amongst the worst in the league: Kelvin Cotchery Ginn Brown Bersin Hill/Whoever Else Things would be looking way up if we brought in Jennings and selected another receiver in the first or second round. Let's hope for this offenses sake that it happens.

25: R1P25 OT JAKE FISHER OREGON 57: R2P25 WR NELSON AGHOLOR USC 89: R3P25 CB RONALD DARBY FLORIDA STATE 124: R4P25 RB TEVIN COLEMAN INDIANA 161: R5P25 S JAMES SAMPLE LOUISVILLE 169: R5P33 WR CHRIS CONLEY GEORGIA 200: R6P25 DT MARTIN IFEDI MEMPHIS 213: R6P38 CB DESHAZOR EVERETT TEXAS A&M 242: R7P25 TE WES SAXTON SOUTH ALABAMA

Don't get me wrong...I love what Dave has done on the defensive side of the ball, but they can get the job done with the personnel they already have assuming some young guys in the secondary develop and Kony does as well. I hope we take a safety in the mid-rounds again and another young outside backer, but I'm going to have a very hard time supporting another draft of defensive players in the first or second rounds.

You have to remove the homer glasses just a little bit. Olsen is the best asset this offense has outside of Cam. He's probably about the only guy other fan bases would be salivating over if he was made available in a trade and would be seen as an immediate upgrade at the TE position for every team outside of New England and Seattle. Tolbert is not who he was when he first got here and every team in the league has their version of Fozzy. Stewart is good, when healthy, but that is rare and no other team in the league would pay that salary he is getting. He's not AP. He's not Jamal. He's not DeMarco or Shady until I actually seem him be a workhorse for 16 games and have production on their levels. I wouldn't exactly call Kelvin a true #1 yet. He's certainly our #1 right now but he is inconsistent, still pretty raw, and his drops are a real concern. I think he will develop into a top 10 receiver but he is not that right now. Cotchery? Really? He's our number two? He wouldn't be a number two on any other team in the league. Offensive line finished strong but they are still amongst the league's worst as a unit. We desperately need Norwell and Turner to continue to improve if we want at least the interior to be secure. I'm not sold on Remmers as a long-term solution at RT and Oher isn't the long-term answer at LT. Thankfully there is a draft coming up and free-agency is not over...but right now boasting the likes of Tolbert, Fozzy, Cotchery isn't doing you any favors. Draft a receiver or tackle in the first, a tackle or receiver in the second, have some young guys develop and we are on the right track.

Who does Brady have? A solid and talented offensive line, the best TE in the game, a match-up nightmare in Edelman and a reliable target in LaFell coupled with a bruiser to pick up tough yards in Blount and they had Vereen who killed teams out of the backfield. Brady is an all-time great and can win the big game without a great supporting cast although his is still pretty dang good. Luck has T.Y...two decent TE's that were drafted to grow and develop with him in Fleener and Allen. The two aren't on Olsen's level but they are effective in the red zone. Wayne slowed way down but was still a good player Luck's first couple years in the league when he was healthy. He's got a better line although not great and Moncrief was drafted early and displayed some of his talents last year. Seattle has the most dominant running game in the league. Their supporting cast is weak around Wilson but when you have a legendary defense, a dominant ground attack, they don't need a whole lot else to win a Super Bowl (proven). Their receivers always seem to burn us. Falcons are pretty void of talent, I will give you that. I'd trade anyone on our offense outside of Cam for Julio. Roddy is still pretty good and Harry Douglas was better than anything we had at the position outside of Kelvin. They brought in a talented LT in Matthews to groom. He will get better and I suspect takes a big step forward this next season. Of course there are QBs out there with average talent, but I'd be lying if I told you I was satisfied with what they have put around Cam since being here. Sure, the defense turned around and that is a huge asset to have... but we have wrote the book on "How Not to Develop a Young Franchise QB in the NFL." I really hope that changes this off-season. I've never seen a team put less around a young quarterback on the offensive side of the ball.

I'll ask you this... QBs aside, what offensive group would you not trade ours for? Take into account offensive lines as unit, WRs as a unit, the TE position, and the backfield as a group. Realistically, I'd take us over what the Titans have to offer right now. Maybe the Bears. The Browns. The Chiefs. The Raiders. Safe to say we are not in good company right now. Maybe the Jets?