Mel Kiper's take on top 10 pick scenarios

[JawnyBlaze]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2012/story/_/id/7383364/nfl-draft-scenarios-top-10-picks

It's Insider content, and he doesn't list them necessarily in order but just talks about the teams he thinks could be in the top 10 and what they could be looking at in the area he expects them to be picking. Here's what he says about Carolina:

Carolina Panthers

Top needs DT, CB, WR

Scenarios: They got some good play from young defensive tackles this year, but this team needs to be better up front to stop the run consistently. It might be a little early to pick a guy like Devon Still of Penn State, Brandon Thompson of Clemson or Jerel Worthy of Michigan State, but the Panthers could look at each. They also really could use a cornerback across from Chris Gamble and another wide receiver to complement the still very good Steve Smith. Would Alshon Jeffery of South Carolina make sense? Jeffery will need to show some wheels if he comes out of school, but Carolina might be an ideal destination for the massive, 6-foot-5, 230-plus pound wide receiver.

I would be very unhappy if we took a DT with our top 10 pick. I think I'd even rather have Coples than using a pick that high on a DT from this class, at least with the way they're looking at the moment. It would take something spectacular to move a DT high enough up draft boards to not be a massive reach where we're picking.

[stirs]

I think one of the DT's will be there for our second round pick.

[rayzor]

i have no reason to believe that kiper won't once again prove he has no idea what's going on.

[Dex]

OLB/OL/WR/CB in rounds 1-2. Bank on it.

[CarolinaNCSU]

I think one of the DT's will be there for our second round pick.

I agree on the 2nd rd DT. If we don't pick one up in FA, I say take one in the 2nd. Unless we trade back or a guy blows it up at the combine, I don't see how we can justify taking one of this year's projected 1st rd DT's too early when better CB's and LB's are out there.

[CarolinaNCSU]

I'm still surprised he's not listing TE as one of our needs as he did for the past 20 years it seems like.

[mav1234]

I'm still surprised he's not listing TE as one of our needs as he did for the past 20 years it seems like.

well, it pretty much has been a need for the last decade just about.

[Panthro]

Replace WR with OL and I agree

[Jesse]

He's like an old ass Big Bird, I don't trust him.

[(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻]

I don't think that the team will be spending a 1st or 2nd round pick on a DT. The Ron Edwards signing last year was supposed to address the issue, but the injury during training camp prevented that. He'll be coming back next season along with Neblett and the two draft picks (unless Fua continues to perform poorly during TC).

LB, OL, and CB (no order) are the most pressing needs imo.

[pantherfan49]

Tackle is the position that the Panthers should address first.

[LinvilleGorge]

I want to take the BPA. Taking a DT in the top 10 this year would require a major reach. You don't do yourself any favors in the long run reaching based on need.

IMO, the only positions off the board for our 1st rounder should be QB, RB, and C. Every other position could potentially be upgraded.

[mav1234]

I don't think we should take a TE or (pure) DE, either.

I know some people are projecting some of the DE prospects as hybrid DTs, so...

[Cat'sGrowl]

More sold than ever on a CB after today's game. Freeman shredded us today.