Seven Round Carolina Panther Mock Draft: 1st Edition.

[Cat'sGrowl]

I'm going to take a break from a bunch of the write-ups I've been doing for the draft forum in recent weeks and give my first seven round mock for our Panthers. In this scenario, the Carolina Panthers have traded down and acquired their third rounder back. Trading down would likely yield more than just a third, but I wanted to start out with a simple seven round mock and did not get too technical.

1st Round: Devon Still, DT, Penn St.

The best underneath DT prospect in this year's class, Still has performed at a high level all season, and has compiled the numbers to show it. with 47 tackles-including 14 TFL-and 4 sacks, Still has dominated opposing offensive lines all year. While Terrell Mclain has been more promising than fellow 3rd round draft pick, NT Sione Fua, neither has shown enough to give the coaching staff great comfort in dedicating the future of the DL to them and them alone. With no viable DT prospects set to hit Free Agency, and Ron Edwards as a question mark, the Panthers look to bolster the talent on the DL and hope to have the same success drafting a first round defensive tackle as the Lions, Bucs, and Bills have had in recent years.

2nd Round: Robert Lester, FS, Alabama

The best coverage Safety in this year's class, Lester is the true ballhawk in the Secondary the Panthers have desperately spent years searching for. Head Coach Ron Rivera did not sound too pleased with the play of Sherrod Martin in Monday's press conference, and Safety becomes an ever more increasing need with each week. Sticking a player like Lester across from Godfrey would make a formidable Safety tandem, OR force Martin to step his play up. Win-win. Robert Lester has been an anchor in Alabama's very strong Secondary for some time, and would be a huge upgrade for the Panthers.

3rd Round: Danny Trevathan, LB, Kentucky

An absolute tackling machine, Trevathan hasn't drawn much attention playing for a small time program in the Kentucky Wildcats-Danny doesn't care-he just makes plays. With 135 tackles, 3 sacks, and 4 interceptions this year alone, Trevathan's stock could skyrocket if he has a strong performance at the Senior Bowl, of which he is certain to get an invite. Trevthan is all over the field and has knack for finding the ball carrier. If the Panthers do bring Thomas Davis back at a reduced rate, Trevathan could not only step in if something were to happen to him-he could perform. One thing is for sure, the Panthers will look to find the future at the OLB position, even if Davis is brough back. They can't bank the success of their Linebacking corp next season on TD's health-and they'd be lucky if Trevathan was the man they got their hands on.

4th Round: Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt

One of the more underrated CB's in this year's class, the Panthers look to improve their Secondary even more. at 5'11" and 190 lbs, Hayward has good size and great coverage skills. With 5 interceptions on the season, Hayward is a cover corner who excels at making plays on the ball. Normally a player of Hayward's caliber would be sought much higher, but in a year loaded with CB talent, the Panther's could get a steal in the fourth and add a playmaker who could push the other young corners on the roster. With Captain Munnerlyn being picked on this season, Hayward could step in and push for a starting role.

5th Round: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright's stock could rise or fall from this point in time depending on his pro-day and combine performances. Right now though, the fifth round is a solid projection for Wright in a year cluttered with good WR prospects. It's not Wright's abilities as a receiver though that should tempt the Panthers, it's his blazing speed which could finally give the Panthers a dynamic kick returner. In spite of Pilares' long and exciting TD return, he quickly showed after why the fanbase has been so frustrated with him this year. Armanti has showed great ability as a PR, being shifty and hitting holes hard when they do open up-however seldom that may be-but doesn't quite have the straight line speed to be a kick returner. Wright has it. His fast speed also could make him a viable threat in our long-ball oriented receiving game.

6th Round: Josh Oglesby, OT, Wisconsin

The Wisconsin offensive tackle's stock could very well rise between now and draft time, especially as a lock for the Senior Bowl, but right now this is a fitting slot for him. At 6'7" and 335 lbs, Oglesby is a massive force who would be a force in the run game, but has also shown great speed in getting to the second level. Oglesby would make great depth on a line that could see the departure of Jeff Otah at the end of the year, and could possibly challenge for a starting job once Gross departs in a few years (or longer). As said, this is a low spot for Oglesby, whose stock is likely to rise between now and draft time as he is finishing a very good season with the Badgers.

7th Round: Caleb Sturgis, K, Florida

Ah, yes. A Kicker, but a pretty big position of need for the Panthers. It should have come as a surprise to noone when Mare's reputation of collapsing in big moments followed him to Carolina. Underperforming for the large contract he was given, it should also come as a surprise to no one when the Panthers part ways with Mare at season's end. The new kickoff rules have made Mare expendable, but don't let that fool you, Sturgis has quite the strong leg himself. Even more importantly, however, he is accurate. Converting on 21 for 25 field goals this year, along with going 19 for 19 on XP's, Sturgis could hopefully become the last remaining original Panther from the Cam Newton era twenty years from now.

So there you have it. As said before, this will change dramatically between now and draft day. Another possibility could be one of the top corners in the first, along with a Brandon Thompson in the second, which would have course open up our fourth round pick. Lots of change coming these next few months, but one thing is for sure, it will be chaotic and downright defensive.

[GamecockSmitty4]

Glad someone finally sees Hayward as a potential solid CB. Most people assume that since he plays at Vandy he isn't any good. IMO, he's one of the best CBs available.

I disagree with the Lester pick though. I just have never been that impressed with him. That's just me though.

[Catalyst]

I love your picks outside of round 1, but Still in the 1st? I think he'd be a great pick in the 2nd - or late 1st - but not as high as we'd be picking, even in a trade down. Unless we traded down to the late 1st, which would net us a whole lot more than just a 3rd rounder.

[Cat'sGrowl]

Still is projected as a mid first round pick right now. I know that you like Blackmon, and he'd be a nice luxury pick, but we really just can't afford to take him.There is an enormous amount of WR's worth expiring contracts this year, and many of them will very well hit the market.

V-Jax, Dwayne Bowe, Reggie Wayne, etc etc..

[KDawg004]

I'm not so sure Hayward will be available in the 4th. I also agree top 5 is too high for Still. That would be a great draft though.

*Edit: Didn't notice you traded down

[Matthias]

I have a feeling Danny Trevathan will be a Detroit Lion.

[Catalyst]

True enough, but we don't have the cap space to sign any of them. My first choice would be to trade down, sure, but that's hard to predict. Blackmon is my 2nd-rated player in the entire draft, behind Luck.

[Cat'sGrowl]

That same lack of cap space applies to the defensive side of the ball. The difference is, is that there isn't a crop of defensive talent in free agency this year.

[Cat'sGrowl]

I have a feeling Danny Trevathan will be a Detroit Lion.

I...uhh...what?

[Cat'sGrowl]

Glad someone finally sees Hayward as a potential solid CB. Most people assume that since he plays at Vandy he isn't any good. IMO, he's one of the best CBs available.

I disagree with the Lester pick though. I just have never been that impressed with him. That's just me though.

For what reason?

[Gin and Juice]

Ahhh, makes sense why you jumped the other thread about what I said! You are the one that has Still in rd. 1! I like your mock, especially Lester! I wouldn't be upset with this, however, we have a glaring hole on defense that isn't filled by starter talent and will not be until we address it. Davis may come back.......but its over! He is not the future, nor should he be.

So, my biggest issue is you addressed our biggest need with a draft pick we do not have and assume we will trade up! I think we will trade for more picks, however, Linebackers(especially WLB) is the team's BIGGEST void to be filled! And we go there within the first two rds!

[Nicbsbll2]

One thing we can be thankful for this year, we'll be able to address needs via free agency before the draft. We should have a better idea of what the team will be looking to do in the draft based on what they get in free agency.

[Lout]

I bet we get a 2nd and 3rd rounder, OR, 1st Next year and 3rd this year if we trade down.

Likely teams that would trade with us are Miami and Washingto whom both will be targetting Barkley from USC. We should still be in position to take a player like Morris Claiborne around pick #6-10.

I like Still, but he is projected as a late 1st early 2nd pick (right now) although that could change. I really like Lester, but I think we have more pressing needs than FS to spend that high of a pick.

[Cat'sGrowl]

FS is one of the most glaring needs on this team...