Scott Fowler's Panther draft predictions

[Fidel Cashflow]

1. Gettleman makes two trades – but stays at No. 25 for the top pick.

It sounds to me like Gettleman has no intention of moving up in the draft because, as he said, he doesn’t subscribe to the theory that the Panthers are “one player away” from greatness and believes to move up substantially the Panthers would have to give up a second-round draft choice, which is too high a price.

But I think with two extra compensatory picks already in his pocket (those two cannot be traded), the GM’s temptation to deal some of his other picks in the later rounds will prove too strong to resist.

 

2. The Panthers pick a running back – but not with their first choice.

Where Gettleman has most differed from previous general manager Marty Hurney so far is his ability to hit more often on later-round picks (both men did well with first-round picks).

 

Kawann Short, Kony Ealy, Bené Benwikere, Trai Turner and Tre Boston all fill key roles on the current Panthers. Gettleman added them all in the second round or later in the 2013 and ’14 drafts, and I think he will try to draft a running back on the second or third day to get the same sort of result.

The Panthers are not sold on the idea that Jonathan Stewart’s every-down backup is on the current roster, and Gettleman calls the running back group “a very deep position.” My colleague Tom Sorensen believes Carolina will and should pick Melvin Gordon with its first pick at No. 25 – I don’t think it will fall that way, but believe the Panthers will choose a running back at some point. Todd Gurley would be the dream choice for me, but I think the Georgia back from Tarboro will be long gone.

 

3. Carolina picks yet another defensive lineman within the first three rounds.

Of Gettleman’s five picks in the top three rounds over his first two drafts with the Panthers, three have been defensive linemen. Other than quarterback, I think this is the position he values the most highly. Plus, Charles Johnson is on the backside of his career and Greg Hardy is having verbal altercations in Dallas. A defensive end makes the most sense.

 

4. With their first-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers select ...

 

Florida offensive tackle D.J. Humphries. He’s from Charlotte – although that won’t matter a bit to Gettleman when he decides whether to do this – and he can play left tackle.

Gettleman isn’t going to reach if the “four or five” tackles he believes can play on the left side are all gone by No. 25, he said, but I am guessing Humphries will be there.

“I got killed last year cause I didn’t take a tackle at all, and maybe it’s my old stubborn streak, but I’m not reaching for a player,” Gettleman said. “I’m not doing it.”

 

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article19868631.html

[Ruff]

That's fair. All seem reasonable.

[Mol3m4n]

I could see them all.

[Bartin]

I could see them all.

Yep. Nothing bold in there, but they all have a good chance of happening.

[MHS831]

Does he mention Greg hardy in Dallas to generate Google hits?  Humphries could be the pick, I will give him that.  I just don't think Gettlemen likes the Tackle crop at the top of the draft.

 

 

[PanthersUnited]

Bleh, DJ Humphries would be very disappointing

[PanthersUnited]

I'm telling you, Shaq Thompson is the pick

[MHS831]

This is funny has hell.  Nobody has any idea who we are going to pick. 

 

The second pick is going to blow everyone's mock up.  Players you thought were going early will drop---everyone's board is different--especially this year./

[davos]

I could see us trading up high into the 4th to catch a 2nd/high 3rd guy on our board who slipped.  Same situation as Bene but a little earlier. 

[joeyxfresco]

We're taking Bryce Petty in the 1st

[TheNewStandard]

This is funny has hell. Nobody has any idea who we are going to pick.

The second pick is going to blow everyone's mock up. Players you thought were going early will drop---everyone's board is different--especially this year./

looks like about 85% have Shaq in the first...including Thomas Davis.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I'm telling you, Shaq Thompson is the pick

I had similar thoughts but you talked me out of it now that you've mentioned it in about every thread on the board including the ones you've started.

[Mol3m4n]

looks like about 5% have Shaq in the first...including Thomas Davis.

 

ftfy

[juliosantos]

I'm telling you, Shaq Thompson is the pick

it will be shaq, eric kendricks or kevin johnson  , one of those players