SI Panthers Mock Draft

[raleigh-panther]

RD 1, Pick 8: WR Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona)

The Panthers can go in a lot of directions here with the eighth overall pick. If McMillan is off the board here, I'd expect they'll go defense. But for now, we're saying he'll slip right into the Panthers' lap. This would be the best-case scenario, in my opinion. Sure, Abdul Carter and Mason Graham would provide an immediate impact on defense, but McMillan would help take Bryce Young and this young offense to a whole new level. 
 

 

RD 2, Pick 53: LB Jack Sawyer (Ohio State)

There are a few guys every year that you'll watch tape of and think, "Woah, that's a Dan Morgan guy." Jack Sawyer is one of two "Dan Morgan guys" that I have mocked to Carolina in this projection. He's tough as nails, plays bigger than his frame, and is a true leader. I'm not exactly sure where he would fit in Ejiro Evero's defense, but he'll find a home and be a playmaker wherever that spot may be.

 

 

RD 3, Pick 73: S Andrew Mukuba (Texas)

The Panthers have five safeties who will become free agents this offseason - Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Sam Franklin Jr., and Lonnie Johnson. They were part of a defense that gave up the most points in NFL history. I seriously doubt all five will be back. Carolina needs a younger option in the back end who can make plays on the ball. Mukuba finished near the top of the nation in interceptions (5) to go along with seven passes defended. Carolina has never drafted a Clemson Tiger, but Mukuba played the first three years of his career there, so does it count?
 

 

RD 4, Pick 109: CB Cobee Bryant (Kansas)

Jaycee Horn needs a little bit of help. Okay, actually, a lot of help. Bryant makes a ton of sense due to his ability to make plays on the ball and tackle in the open field. He picked off 13 passes over four seasons and had 22 passes defended. With Bryant on the field, opposing teams can't just throw the ball to the opposite side of Jaycee Horn all the time. They're going to have to challenge him.

 

 

RD 4, Pick 113: C Jared Wilson (Georgia)

There are a lot of questions at center for the Panthers this offseason. Do they bring Austin Corbett back? If they do, does he start? Do they bring Cade Mays or Brady Christensen back? If they do, do either of them have a chance to be the guy? I'd imagine at least one of the three makes a return to compete for the job, but Morgan will probably take a good, long look at drafting one on day three. Wilson, the Winston-Salem native, is our pick for now.
 

RD 5, Pick 140: RB Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)

Here is the other "Dan Morgan guy." Skattebo is exactly who you would think of if you tried to envision what Morgan wants in a running back. Chuba Hubbard is clearly RB1, but with Jonathon Brooks suffering another knee injury, Carolina is going to need another back or two to complement Chuba. Skattebo can be the short-yardage/goal line back, which can help take some big hits off of Hubbard.

 

 

RD 5, Pick 148: DL Aeneas Peebles (Virginia Tech)

Peebles is a little undersized at 6'2", 280 lbs, but he can make up for it with his athleticism. In his final season with the Hokies, he registered 31 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks

 

RD 5, Pick 163: DL Anto Saka (Northwestern)

Saka needs to continue filling out his frame but could be a depth option off the edge while contributing on special teams.

 

RD 7, Pick 226: TE Gavin Bartholomew (Pitt)

Ian Thomas, Tommy Tremble, and Feleipe Franks are all set to become free agents. There's a good chance only one returns, so they'll need to add some bodies to the room this offseason. Bartholomew proves during his collegiate career that he can be a receiving threat, catching 105 passes for 1,257 yards and 11 touchdowns.

[Shocker]

[CPcavedweller]

If we take a receiver 1st, we have to go with someone who isn't in the typical mold we go after. They need to be smaller, more agile, and quick.

I would also really, really like Cam Skattebo if he lasts until the 3rd round. That dude is a bowling ball and could play full back, h-back, 3rd down running back, and eventually be a 3 down back. He may end up being the steal of the draft for whomever takes him.

EDIT: I didn't read beyond the first round pick...so my mentioning of Cam is just coincidence here. He is a monster and keeping him away from a team like the Ravens is a must, in my opinion.  

Edited January 14 by CPcavedweller

[Mistuh Jones]

if we get another edge in FA then I could get down with this... buuuuuuuuuuuut

[Tr3ach]

12 minutes ago, CPcavedweller said:

If we take a receiver 1st, we have to go with someone who isn't in the typical mold we go after. They need to be smaller, more agile, and quick.

I would also really, really like Cam Skattebo if he lasts until the 3rd round. That dude is a bowling ball and could play full back, h-back, 3rd down running back, and eventually be a 3 down back. He may end up being the steal of the draft for whomever takes him.

EDIT: I didn't read beyond the first round pick...so my mentioning of Cam is just coincidence here. He is a monster and keeping him away from a team like the Ravens is a must, in my opinion.  

Exactly.  If we had taken Ladd last year then TMac would be alright, but the fact that we have taken big physical receivers without a lot of quickness or change of direction for like 3 years in a row hurts that.  XL and a Tmac is a seriously flawed pair of receivers as far as how they fit together. 

[CPcavedweller]

Just now, Tr3ach said:

Exactly.  If we had taken Ladd last year then TMac would be alright, but the fact that we have taken big physical receivers without a lot of quickness or change of direction for like 3 years in a row hurts that.  XL and a Tmac is a seriously flawed pair of receivers as far as how they fit together. 

We need a Theilen mold receiver, and we need to re-sign Theilen if he wants to play another 2 years. I think a playoff window for us could open and instead of burning it down, as has been done in the past, we need to double down. 

If you go receiver, you go finesse to counter the Legette size, and I really think you need to develop a Deebo style cut-out for Legette to fully take advantage of his athletic skills. 

I also think Cam Skattebo would be a huge miss for anyone who doesn't take him. He ran over and around Texas like no one has all season, playing behind a Big 12 offensive line. By the end of the game, every guy he was hitting was bouncing off and by the very end, nearly every play saw someone have to leave. I didn't see someone make Texas look like they regretted hitting him all year long. 

For anyone who didn't watch the ASU - Texas game, go back and watch it. 

[Daddy_Uncle]

Definitely don't hate it. Got a few of my favorites. Jack Sawyer isn't falling to 53 though

Edited January 14 by Daddy_Uncle

[PadresPanthersFan]

Skattabo reminds me of Peyton hillis or maybe even Mike alstott and in the 5th I'd be more than happy with that. 

As far as the rest of the mock draft I'd rather have graham/ Carter in the first and a quick, shifty wr in the 3rd or 4th. Otherwise this draft would make me happy. 

[fanpanther]

skattabo would be awesome if he could be drafted that late.  

[Johnstonny]

4 minutes ago, PadresPanthersFan said:

Skattabo reminds me of Peyton hillis or maybe even Mike alstott and in the 5th I'd be more than happy with that. 

As far as the rest of the mock draft I'd rather have graham/ Carter in the first and a quick, shifty wr in the 3rd or 4th. Otherwise this draft would make me happy. 

If we are absolutely positive hes not another Eric Shelton...

[WhoKnows]

23 minutes ago, Daddy_Uncle said:

Definitely don't hate it. Got a few of my favorites. Jack Sawyer isn't falling to 53 though

Even if he did, our current pick based on the Rams winning is pick 58. If the Rams bear the Eagles, welp we are pick 61+. Feels like watching our CMC draft picks get worse and worse every week SF won.

[frankw]

WR and LB in the first two rounds does have a Dan Morgan ring to it.

Going that direction at pick 8 would certainly accelerate the clock for Young and Canales and there would be no excuses for the offense stumbling out of the gate in September.

[L-TownCat]

Not addressing the DL until the 5th round should be met with a pink slip and a black eye.  Git yer she-itt, and giiit out.

[PleaseCutStewart]

That might be the worst mock for us I have seen yet. Only pick I like is Sawyer

Edited January 14 by PleaseCutStewart