After Cam, then what???

[Darth Urious]

lots of people were all about some Aaron Rodgers too, but he slid...

Not comparing Cam to AR, either, but the situation could happen... just using that as an example of bandwagon vs. actual NFL view...

other examples burn people too... overhype gives you picks like Derrick Harvey...

[Mr. Scot]

Tell me where someone has said the panthers want anything other than Newton. I'm not pro newton and I'm not really against him...I'm actually pretty torn on the subject. But right now based on everything we know he has to be who they are leaning to...not that I want it but I'm just being realistic.

ESPN: Panthers on the Clock

Mel Kiper, Trent Dilfer and Chris Mortensen talk about what the Panthers should do with that pick and they don’t have any clear-cut answers.

...

All three say the Panthers might be wise to stay clear of Newton and Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert and go with a defensive player.

Pro Football Weekly Mock draft 5.0

1. Carolina Panthers - Marcell Dareus | DL | Alabama [Jr.]

The Panthers have been searching for inside help for years and have struggled to find it. New defensive-minded head coach Ron Rivera lands a key piece of his new defense with the most talented, versatile defensive lineman in this year's draft.

Note: The mock prior to this one had us taking A J Green.

SI Mock Draft 4.0

There's a swing back to Cam Newton to Carolina in some quarters, but I'm not there yet. Especially after sitting and listening to Panthers head coach Ron Rivera at breakfast in New Orleans last week, on the final day of the league's annual meeting. Every time Rivera talked glowingly of Gabbert's "presence,'' or how much the NFL has become a passing league, I thought I sensed the direction Carolina's new head coach wants to go. Granted, Panthers general manager Marty Hurney might be a different story at this point.

Note: Banks switched to Newton in his next mock, but noted that he "still wasn't convinced".

PFT - Mayock on Gabbert: "He's the first QB off the board" (with comments from Mike Lombardi)

“It was a better throwing-mechanics workout than what Matt Ryan had. Similar to Sam Bradford’s,” said Mayock on NFL Network’s Path to the Draft program Thursday night.

“He’s the first quarterback off the board.”

NFL Network league insider Mike Lombardi wasn’t in Columbia today, but has been in Gabbert’s corner all along. The positive feedback from Thursday’s Pro Day only reinforced Lombardi’s belief that Gabbert is deserving of the No. 1 pick in the draft.

“If I’m the Carolina Panthers, (Gabbert) is on the card I’m turning in,” said Lombardi. “… He can run any type of offense.”

Panthers.com - Down to the Wire

The discussion is primarily about Gabbert. Newton is mentioned but Gabbert is the man of the hour.

NFL.com - Mock Drafts

Brian Baldinger has us taking Patrick Peterson.

There's more if you want, but I think that's likely enough "anyones" to make the point. And these are major sports sites, by the way, not just "some guy with a website".

If you're going off the notion that "nobody's talking about anybody else". I'm afraid that just isn't true.

[ncmonzta]

most people on the Cam bandwagon couldn't tell you poo about our 3rd round potential prospects...

I'm not going worry about the 3rd round until I know who's left after 1 and 2. somebody might slip back.

I understand that but you cant just discount EVERYTHING people are saying simply because you don't want it to happen. I would love it to be Dareus...but right now I just don't see it happening. I think if you feel otherwise you are just kidding yourself.

I do think we would fill a bigger need with dareus and have someone who could start from day one (which Marty loves) and it would free up the rest of the draft so that we could select BPA rather than fill needs.

DT is one of the deepest position and more than likely if we pick a DT in third he'll probably be good enough to start over at least one of our current DT's. Dareus would be great compared to what we have, but I don't think he's the type to change the outcome of a game. Get a solid DT and CB in the third. I'd take best CB and O-line with the last pick in the third and early 4th bpa with the rest.

[Zithers]

Drake Nevis may last to the top of the 3rd which would be a good pick. Jarvis Jenkins, Jurrell Casey, Terrel McClain... all other possible options for one of the 3rd picks.

I'd like to grab a TE to replace Shockey in 2012. Stocker or Cameron may be there. Grabbing an OG in the 4th would be a good move. I think we may take Kasay's replacement. We obviously also need a corner. Wouldn't mind some more OL depth later on.

That's about it. I'm not very good with prospects outside of the top 100 or so...

[King Taharqa]

Cam is going to be the pick. Accept it and move on.

Pride wont let them. They will be bitter for the next few years. lol

[OneBadassCat]

The DT's will fly off the board. They always say such and such position is deep, but those are the ones that go by fast because every team tries to nab one.

[Panthers#1fan]

Id give Clausen another year. with a healthy O-line he could be pretty good. You never know.

[firstdayfan]

The DT's will fly off the board. They always say such and such position is deep, but those are the ones that go by fast because every team tries to nab one.

Yeah that's what worries me...drake Nevis might be our best bet...i don't love him...he reminds me of Irvin...only one year starting experience and surrounded by good players that helped make him better. But there's a chance he could start but I doubt he's much better than Landri at this point.

[firstdayfan]

The DT's will fly off the board. They always say such and such position is deep, but those are the ones that go by fast because every team tries to nab one.

Yeah that's what worries me...drake Nevis might be our best bet...i don't love him...he reminds me of Irvin...only one year starting experience and surrounded by good players that helped make him better. If he's the pick it's only because he is the top DT available...not because he is the best player available.

[KillerKat]

Get 1 or 2 DTs, get a couple of OL, then get a OLB, DB, Punter that can do kickoffs, and PR (either or on the last 2 ones if they decide on 2 DTs).