Panthers 2015 Mock Draft

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Most mocks are based on how people think the team should draft or who they want them to draft. This mock is based solely on who I think the Panthers will draft.

 

Mind you I won the huddle draft contest last year. I nailed the Trai Turner pick in the 3rd, I fully expected them to draft a RB late (Gaffney was my 2nd choice) and with a big need and great WR draft class I had them going WR all the way in the 1st (KB was my 2nd guess with Lee 1st). Even the Ealy pick didn't surprise me with Hardy leaving within a year and the perceived value of the pick.

 

I also called both the Star and Barner picks the previous year as well as having them draft a LBer in the middle rounds. All in all I usually have a good read on how the Panthers will draft. So with that being said here's my semi-educated guess on how the Panthers will draft this year.

 

 

1st Round - DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville - Tall, fast polished receiver. Was injured early on but racked up 855 yards in just 6 games. Gives the best mix of both value and need and while OT might be an even bigger need but the value simply isn't there.

 

2nd Round - Nate Orchard, DE, Utah - A pass rushing monster with the strength to also hold up against the run. With Hardy in Dallas and Alexander most likely gone next year DE is still a need and Orchard offers great value in the 2nd.

 

3rd Round - Duke Johnson, RB, Miami - Extremely quick and versatile all-purpose back capable of making big plays and ripping off yards in chunks. With DWill gone and Stewart always a broken fingernail away from IR the RB depth chart needs a serious infusion of talent.

 

4th Round - Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami Ohio - Similar to Bene last year, he should be drafted higher but a slow 40 time will drop him in the draft and make him a great value for the Panthers.

 

5th Round - Ali Marpet, OT, Hobart - Continuing the Panthers trend of selecting small school OLineman.

 

5th Round (comp) - Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DT, Southern Mississippi

 

6th Round - Cody Prewitt, S, Ole Miss

 

6th Round (comp) - Wes Saxon, TE, South Alabama

 

7th Round - Quayshawn Nealy, LB, Georgia Tech

 

[ncfan]

If Parker fell to us and Prewitt fell to the 6th I'd be shocked

[davos]

Like the direction.  Rollins in round 4 would be crazy good value.  He's one of those who could go anywhere from mid-R2 to late-3, maybe 4. 

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Getting guys that were expected to go higher is how the Panthers have drafted under Gettleman. Star was a top 5 prospect. Everyone had Short with a 1st round grade. Benjamin should have gone top 15. Ealy had a 1st round grade and people were saying Turner could go in the 2nd. I fully expect this trend to continue, it's just a matter of which players fall to us.

 

Also, with the 2 extra compensatory picks giving us 9 total picks I expect the Panthers to trade up at some point. Maybe giving a 4th or 5th to move their 1st round pick up a handful of spots, or trading a late rounder to move up one of their mid-round picks.

[JawnyBlaze]

I pretty much agree with your directions, but not a fan of the players chosen.  I'm not a huge fan of Parker.  I'm not saying he won't be a good player, but I think he is the lesser of the 1st round graded WRs.  I'd rather have Strong.  If Strong's not available and Parker is, I'd be ok with the pick. 

 

Orchard is 250 lbs.  I'd much rather have Preston Smith there if he's available.  Smith is a legit NFL sized DE and looked very good from the videos I watched.  But Orchard IS from Utah...so there is that.

 

Duke Johnson, I don't mind him that much to be honest.  But there's a few I like better.  Of the second tier RBs, my favorites in order are Abdullah, Ajayi, Mike Davis.  Johnson would probably be next.

 

I'm torn on Marpet.  On one hand, he's got great measurables and pretty much nothing negative to say about him EXCEPT that he went to a small school.  I've just about had it up to here (imagine my hand above my head) with small school OL on this team. 

[SCPantherFan90]

I'll poo bricks if we somehow land Parker, but I don't see that happening unless we trade up though. I see shades of AJ Green when watching his highlights.

Overall, I would be extremely pleased with this draft.

[SCPantherFan90]

No OT tho

Daryl Williams instead of Duke Johnson? That would be pretty optimal.

[davos]

Getting guys that were expected to go higher is how the Panthers have drafted under Gettleman. Star was a top 5 prospect. Everyone had Short with a 1st round grade. Benjamin should have gone top 15. Ealy had a 1st round grade and people were saying Turner could go in the 2nd. I fully expect this trend to continue, it's just a matter of which players fall to us.

 

Exactly and the approach definitely makes sense.  It's cool to project those falling through the cracks...Rollins could definitely be one.  Only a year or so of real experience but has a huge ceiling and is crazy athletic.  

[cbarrier90]

Love your train of thought with this but I see the 2015 WR class getting overdrafted based on the instant impact of the 2014 class and GMs looking for lightning to strike twice.

 

Did you use the visit/workout list as a guide at all?

[Verge]

If Parker fell to us I would cry. I would call it an A+ draft right at that point.

[MedellinHeel]

he aint falling that far. he is more quick and explosive than KB. 

[davos]

With the Perriman deal, if a team likes Strong more than Parker, Devante could fall right into our laps