Mel Kiper Mock 1.0: Leonard Fournette be a Panther.

[nctarheel0619]

8. Carolina Panthers

*Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

This is really the first spot I see that could be a good fit for Fournette, barring a trade up. He's a special athlete with an incredible combination of size (6-1, 235), speed and power, but he won't get a grade as high as I gave Ezekiel Elliott last year. Elliott went No. 4 in 2016, but backs have been devalued in recent years -- he was the only back taken in the first round. Jonathan Stewart turns 30 this year and averaged only 3.8 yards per carry in 2016.

Picks of substance:

11. New Orleans Saints

Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama

Foster is one of my favorite prospects in this draft. At 6-1, 240 pounds, he has stellar range, runs sideline to sideline and is a complete linebacker. He's a terrific blitzer, too, and recorded five sacks in 2016. The Saints need defensive help -- 2015 first-round pick Stephone Anthony played just 127 defensive snaps this season.

2. San Francisco 49ers

*Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

This isn't a strong draft for quarterbacks. Trubisky is the best QB in the draft, but he's only No. 16 on my Big Board. He has only one season of collegiate starting experience, completing 68.2 percent of his passes with 30 touchdown passes and six interceptions. The 49ers still don't have a general manager or coach, and Colin Kaepernick could be on his way out.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan

Charlton plays with good leverage for his height (6-5) and has active hands and an incredible wingspan. I'm curious what he'll measure at the combine. He can play on his feet, too, which means he could fit in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. The Bucs took Noah Spence in the second round last year, and he improved in their 4-3 as the season progressed (5.5 sacks). Charlton would be a great pick.

26. Seattle Seahawks

Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson

The Seahawks like big corners, and Tankersley (6-1, 190) fits their style as a guy who could hold up opposite Richard Sherman, and DeShawn Shead's knee injury opens up a spot. Tankersley had nine interceptions over his last two seasons and was a big part of the Tigers' success. Seattle will be in the market for offensive linemen, too, but I don't have much first-round talent available here at No. 26. There's still a long time until draft day, however.

31. Atlanta Falcons

*Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

Barnett (6-3, 265) is the eighth defensive end or outside linebacker to go in my first round -- this is a great class for pass-rushers. He is an all-around defender who beats double-teams and makes plays in the running game, and he's versatile enough to play in a 4-3 or 3-4. The light came on for Vic Beasley Jr. in Year 2 in the NFL, but his 15.5 sacks accounted for 45.5 percent of the Falcons' total in 2016. He needs some help.

[countryboi]

Mel Kiper is a dumb ass unless he picks the guy i like then he cool.

[*FreeFua*]

I don't see Fournette getting past Jacksonville but I can hope

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

It appears we could trade back and still get a very high quality player.  Especially if we are truly targeting RB or DE.  Gettleman has shown he likes to move around in the draft.  Sadly, his tendency is to move up, rather than moving back.  Maybe this is the year he stocks up on 2nd and 3rd round picks and still brings in a quality player. 

[Lemory]

Daniel Jeremiah mocked Fournette to us as well. 

[nctarheel0619]

Just now, Leeroy Jenkins PhD said:

It appears we could trade back and still get a very high quality player.  Especially if we are truly targeting RB or DE.  Gettleman has shown he likes to move around in the draft.  Sadly, his tendency is to move up, rather than moving back.  Maybe this is the year he stocks up on 2nd and 3rd round picks and still brings in a quality player. 

Let's hope not.  Because that would be retarded.  

[uncfan888]

I hope the falcons don't get Barnette 

[Jeremy Igo]

Welp, this settles it. It isn't Fournette.

[Nails]

Would obviously love Fournette.

Barnett isn't making it to the teens, much less to the end of the first.  A premier pass rusher with football character and production at the highest level-he's been mocked #2 overall in multiple other mocks this week.  I have a better chance of taking snaps for the Panthers next year than 30 teams passing on Barnett.

[outlaw4]

I don't have much trust in someone that's pictured on a cereal box.

[Cary Kollins]

5 minutes ago, Leeroy Jenkins PhD said:

It appears we could trade back and still get a very high quality player.  Especially if we are truly targeting RB or DE.  Gettleman has shown he likes to move around in the draft.  Sadly, his tendency is to move up, rather than moving back.  Maybe this is the year he stocks up on 2nd and 3rd round picks and still brings in a quality player. 

 

Gettleman has also said you don't go after a couple of dimes when you could have a quarter dollar, or some poo like that.

[therealmjl]

HAHA stupid falcons lost the super bowl hahahahaha losers

[Waldo]

Has Kiper ever predicted any of our picks accurately since Dave arrived here? Or any of the draft experts?

[2jakefansinva]

1 minute ago, outlaw4 said:

I don't have much trust in someone that's pictured on a cereal box.

Joey.....where you been ?