My 2012 pre-combine Mock

[Guest Bwood15]

Now before I get into the draft I'm going to start off by saying it is still far too early to be narrowing down our selection. At this time last year 75% of fans had DaQuan Bowers going to us #1, and come draft day he doesnt even go in the first round. That being said I really just focused on the first 2 picks, and thought about the kind of guys that Hurney, Rishardson, and Rivera really want to play for our team, not just who I want.

With the 8th/9th pick the first round of the 2012 NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers select...

Devon Still - DE/DT, Penn State

Still is not only a great player, but a great character. He really stepped up through the whole Sandusky scandal and lead his team through adversity, while playing at one of the highest levels in the country. For the regular season, Still had 55 tackles with 17 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, a pass batted away and a forced fumble. I think he's the kind of player that will have a great showing at the combine and earn a respected top 10 grade.

With the 40th/41st pick in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft, The Carolina Panthers select...

Stephon Gilmore -CB/PR, South Carolina

Gilmore as played at a consistently high level for a couple seasons now. He's a big physical corner with a good eye for the ball, and he can be a threat to turn interceptions or fumbles into points which is something I find we lack from our defense. Gilmore also steps in as the punt returner and a main ball hawk on special teams. I think Rivera and the front office like what they have with some of the younger guys and gamble so CB isn't exactly worth a top 10 pick, a solid player like Gilmore who can help you in a few different areas is a great value pick here.

4th Round: Neiko Thorpe - S, Auburn

Like I said its hard to evaluate talent this early for the later rounds, but I think that alot fans will be surprised that safety will be one of the picks in the earlier rounds, maybe even in the second. I don't think anyone really has a whole lotta faith in Martin, so I think they look to bring in a tough player that can push him for his spot and contribute to our weak special teams immediately. Thorpe had 94 tackles and 3 int's in a vulnerable Auburn defense.

5th Round: Nigel Bradham - OLB, Florida State

I believe we target a OLB in the later/mid rounds that we can have as a reliable back up and immediate starter on special teams. Once again alot of emphasis on special teams in this draft. Bradham leads FSU in tackles for 3 straight seasons.

6th Round: Randy Bullock - K, Texas A&M

I pray that the Olindo Mare debacle is over, and that this is the year we finally draft a kicker and hopefully find one that can stick around. Bullock was the best kicker in the country and I hope we target him.

7th Round: Drew Butler - P, Georgia

I highly doubt we go after a P and K in the same draft, but I really think its time to give up on Baker, and really just give our entire special teams a make over. Butler was very impressive in the SEC championship and would surely be around in this round. Also look for O-line depth here realistically.

[Guest Bwood15]

[JawnyBlaze]

I like it overall. I'd much rather Brockers in the 1st than Still, though. If we can trade down to the teens and Brockers gets taken before we pick I guess I'd be happy with Still as a consolation prize though.

[Guest Bwood15]

I like it overall. I'd much rather Brockers in the 1st than Still, though. If we can trade down to the teens and Brockers gets taken before we pick I guess I'd be happy with Still as a consolation prize though.

I find Brockers to be overrated. i think he's kind of just the flavor of the month around here.

I think Still is a great player that will add even more to his stock after the combine.

Trading down would be a great idea IMO, I just don't think we wanna fool around with that this year after so many years of failure with trading.

[JawnyBlaze]

A trade down has never turned out bad for us. It's trading up that bites us in the ass.

[Kuech the Sneak]

Bradham is a good pick but will probably be taken where Thorpe is, Harrison smith would be a nice pick in the 5th. Not a bad draft

[rayzor]

brockers > still easily.

still is pretty good, but he's inconsistent. you look at whole games and you'll see that he just wears down. by the time he gets to the 4th quarter the dude is just kind of there. he still occupies a couple blockers but there is no push. i don't see him following the play consistently or give chase.

brickers, from the tape i saw, starts off a little slow but picks up speed as the game goes on. by the time the 4th quarter comes he's got more juice than they guys that are blocking him and he's requiring more help to block.

he does a better job in pursuit. the thing i really liked about him was that he usually has a hand up with the goal in mind to block the pass. with still you really don't see that but maybe once or twice a game.

brockers seems to give the OL more of a fit. still just pushes and then eventually gets pushed. sure, it takes 2 guys to push him around, but he's still getting pushed.

you look at their body frames and still looks like he could add more weight, but it would just turn to fat. it's not a particularly athletic build. brockers looks like he could put on another 15-20 pounds and still look athletic. you need mass, but i would rather it be muscle mass than fat.

one thing that is evident for me is that the ceiling is higher for brockers than it is for still. i can't see still getting much better than he already is. with brockers, he's still raw and just as or more effective.

[Kurb]

I like Still's intangibles

Wouldnt hate the pick

[rayzor]

I like Still's intangibles

Wouldnt hate the pick

agreed with that. he seems like a great guy and a solid leader.

i just have doubts about his motor and his own ability to stay motivated.

i think he'd be solid (which is better than what we have right now), just not spectacular.

[Guest Bwood15]

agreed with that. he seems like a great guy and a solid leader.

i just have doubts about his motor and his own ability to stay motivated.

i think he'd be solid (which is better than what we have right now), just not spectacular.

I think Still will improve his Stock after the combine and really solidify himself as the number one DT.

The thing about his motor is that in our defense, we run alot of different formations and schemes, and we have alot of diverse DT's in McClain, Shirley, Neblett, and we still don't know what we're getting in Edwards and Fua. I think adding another solid player to the line that could be part of a rotation would be great to have, so many different things we can run with players like him.

[Kuech the Sneak]

agreed with that. he seems like a great guy and a solid leader.

i just have doubts about his motor and his own ability to stay motivated.

i think he'd be solid (which is better than what we have right now), just not spectacular.

He's got a wife and kid to support, that's plenty of motivation lol