My Twitter Mock Panthers Picks - 4 Rounds - No Comps/Trades ... Thoughts?

[Soul Rebel]

Just participated in a fun draft on twitter with some pretty knowledgable folks. Straight up, no trades, no comp picks..... just take the cards as they fall and make your team better. I'm sure there are different thoughts from others, but I tried to fit square pegs in square holes and took players that I personally like.  Here's the results:

 

R1: Jonathan Allen DL Alabama

If Allen is sitting at 8, and anyone not named Myles Garrett or Jamal Adams is on the board, he would be our selection. Insurance for Short either this year or after '17, but more than likely can cut up in the weight room and stay at his weight, he can play at DE. Classic flexible D-Lineman that DG and the Giants have always had rotating in the trenches.  A future of Ealy-Butler-Star-Allen would be a nasty front four. He could def hit some sub packages where he slides to DT and Butler moves out to end. Great insurance for Short if he doesn't get locked in long term, and honestly, a no brainer for me when he fell to 8 in this draft.  Fournette, Adams, Garrett, and Barnett (went at 7!!) were all off the board.

Other potential options available: Malik Hooker, Solomon Thomas, OJ Howard

R2: Garett Bolles OT Utah

I really didn't see myself drafting an offensive tackle in this draft, but another value pick that fell into my lap, IMO.  Bolles is a former 5-star recruit that is everything you want in a franchise LT.  6'5", 300 pounds, a nasty streak, crazy quick feet, quick reaction time/mirroring and a supreme athlete that plays mean. He does have some work to do to keep up with the elite DL in the league, but has all the tools to be an agile franchise LT for the next decade plus.  Rough past including some off field issues around drinking I believe might give us pause, but for me, I'd roll the dice in R2. Age would be a factor for other positions, but a 25-year old OT doesn't scare me considering they play into their mid-30s. 

Other potential options available: DeMarcus Walker, Dawuane Smoot, JuJu Smith-Schuster

R3: Curtis Samuel WR/RB Ohio State

Some may see a hybrid WR/RB Percy Harvin/Tyreke Hill selection in the 3rd as a luxury pick, but I feel like Samuel is exactly what Cam needs to get back on track. Can play the slot or the Z position and wreak havoc on smoke routes, quick hitters, jet sweeps, stretch the field with his speed and playmaking ability. Much like the 'moneybacker' position on defense, the 'do it all' speedster is en vogue now, and could be the final piece that Newton needs to reclaim the Smitty days. Not saying Samuel is Smith, but having that confident swiss army weapon in your arsenal like we had when Smith was around is something I think would benefit Cam with all of these big trees (KB, Funch, Olsen, Garrett) hanging around. Save the money from letting Ginn walk and let Samuel loose. He would also be a phenomenal compliment to J.Stew in the backfield, and you could actually play them together in sub packages. Line him up next to Cam in the pistol and enjoy the homerun playmaking ability that we sorely lack on offense. Prolongs J. Stews shelf life too. I was torn between he and D'Onta Foreman, but chose the more agile versatile Harvin-esque Samuel.  I think he crushes the combine and he goes early 2nd TBH.

Other potential options available: Tanoah Kpassangnon, Jake Butt, D'Onta Foreman

R4: Kai Nacua  SAF  BYU

Not a household name at safety, but I love what I've seen of him and think he will climb draft boards by April. Dude is a ballhawking playmaker that is very physical, and can lay the lumber. 6'2" 215 pound safety really could play either position, which we love in our defensive players. He is labeled a FS, but honestly could see him playing SS with his instincts and physicality.  Not afraid to support the run and match up against TEs in space, Nacua reminds me of a taller version of our very own Kurt Coleman. Nacua is a turnover machine and looks the part from the little bit of vids I've seen.  Justin Evans went 3 picks earlier, which was shocking for me and really thought I could snag another player that dropped. I also was eyeing TE, but wasn't a fan of what was on the board (Gerald Everett was available, but don't think he fits here). It came down to Bucky Hodges vs. Kai Nacua. I don't think Nacua can contribute as a starter in '17, but by '18, he could be a starter and then maybe a replacement for Coleman at FS in '19. 

Other potential options available: Lorenzo James, Bucky Hodges, Marcus Maye

QB: Cam Newton

RB: Jonathan Stewart/Curtis Samuel

FB: Free Agent

WR: Kelvin Benjamin/Devin Funchess/Curtis Samuel/Philly Brown

TE: Greg Olsen

LT: Michael Oher/Garett Bolles

LG: Andrew Norwell

C: Ryan Kalil

RG: Trai Turner

RT: Garett Bolles

DE: Kony Ealy

DT: Star Lotulelei/Kawann Short/Vernon Butler

DE: Jonathan Allen

ROLB: Shaq Thompson

MLB: Luke Kuechly

LOLB: Thomas Davis

CB1: James Bradberry

CB2: Daryl Worley

CB3: Leonard Johnson

FS: Kurt Coleman

SS: Free Agent/Tre Boston/Kai Nacua

This is just based on current roster, tagging Short and the draft.

We will definitely hit on some free agents.... let's say we get a SS (Cyprien, Jefferson, Elam, or Hyde), FB (Jurczyczk), LT (Reiff), DE (re-sign Addison) and a K (Zeurlein) and I think we are in business. 

[Swaggasaurus]

I could definitely see this, although I'm not a fan of Kai Nacua. 3-4 defense teams will not pick Jonathan Allen before us. You don't use a pick that high on a 5 tech. If someone takes him before us, it will be as a 4-3 end.

[JawnyBlaze]

No thanks to DT in the first.  In that scenario I would take Tanoh in the 3rd in a heartbeat. 

[Saca312]

39 minutes ago, JawnyBlaze said:

No thanks to DT in the first.  In that scenario I would take Tanoh in the 3rd in a heartbeat. 

You realize he can play DE, right, and is by far BPA if he's available.

You do not pass on the 2nd best guy in the draft if he falls in your lap.

[nctarheel0619]

Allen is one of the best prospects in the Draft.  I'm okay with this with Fournette off the board.  

Allen would be like our Hardy type we sorely miss.  Without the off the field issues of course.  

[Guest Lasus83]

If Allen is there, it is hard to argue against taking him...

This scenario of "no trades" is sort of limiting, in that, trading down is almost certianly what we would do...

Frankly, if Allen drops to us it would be a blessing... DGS phone would be ringing off the hook and we could get a hefty price tag for the selection...

Ive seen plenty of mocks with Barnett falling into the teens... Im 100% for Fournette... but failing that, moving down, picking up an extra 2nd and getting Barnett is really getting our cake and eating it too.

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[AceBoogie]

1 hour ago, Saca312 said:

You realize he can play DE, right, and is by far BPA if he's available.

You do not pass on the 2nd best guy in the draft if he falls in your lap.

Fournette is actually the second best player in the draft, maybe the first 

[OneBadCat]

Fournette should be the pick. GMan owes that to Cam. He's taking too many hits. We need a back that'll take the load off. 

But I'm good with Allen if he's off the board.

[juliosantos]

Just draft all dts and linebackers and lets get a top 5 draft pick  next year we never adress needs we are the panthers i hope dave isn't that dumb to pick another dt  just cough up the money for kk  and draft a player that will actually help us

[Swaggasaurus]

2 hours ago, JawnyBlaze said:

No thanks to DT in the first.  In that scenario I would take Tanoh in the 3rd in a heartbeat. 

I sure hope the first 7 teams share your same sentiment. He would play end for us, and play it well I believe. He's 290 lbs, doesn't have very wide set hips and played DE in college. I think that he's a DE for a team that likes a big front, US. We have always had bigger DE than other teams. Johnson/Hardy were about the same size in their prime. 

[MrBubba]

Bolles in second would be gift if draft was today.  Talk he goes middle of the first 

[SOJA]

cmon and check us out in the nfl draft forum too OP, we have a need for more activity in there

[AU-panther]

I like the Curtis Samuel pick.  I could actually see him going in the 2nd.

He is a lot like McCaffrey in that he seems very versatile.  Could be a 3rd down back or slot receiver.

[Captain Morgan]

8 minutes ago, SOJA said:

cmon and check us out in the nfl draft forum too OP, we have a need for more activity in there

it would be nice if a mod would unpin the top thread about prospects for the 2016 draft.  Last post was last April.