Panther 7-round draft

[MHS831]

PANTHERS’ DRAFT (includes pick acquired in trade w/ Arizona for a 3rd rounder)

1. Michael Brockers DT (LSU)—Rough, but he can develop on a rotational basis while Edwards plays his last (only) year with the Panthers. Brockers has all the tools to be great, he just needs time. However, he is good enough to play now. With Fua and McClain, Shirley and Kearse (PS), we should be stocked at DT.

2. Stephon Gilmore, CB (The University of SC)-- Gilmore is big (6-1, 200) for a CB, something we need. He has good hands, tackles well, and is good at jamming WRs. Great for a second round CB. With Hogan, Munnerlyn back at nickel, Butler and Gamble, we should have a nice competition at Nickel.

3. (from Arizona) Matt McCants, OT, (UAB)—McCants has the tools to be great, but he is a bit raw at the moment. He has excellent feet, long arms, and stays on his blocks, something important when Cam is scrambling. It is time the Panthers started developing Gross’s replacement and got a legit reserve LT. McCants could also back Otah at RT, allowing Bell to go inside to G.

4. Demario Davis, OLB, (Arkansas State). At 6’3” (probably 6’2”) and 235 lbs, Davis is an assassin that runs a 4.65 40. He reminds me of Beason, a team leader, instinctive, and can play all 3 LB positions. Watch his stock, it could easily rise into the third round by the end of April. Will be a starter early in his career.

5. Bobby Rainey RB, (Western Kentucky) At 5’ 7” and 205, Rainey is a kick returner, RB, (Think Sproles) who averaged 140 yards per game. Rivera is looking for a back like this—to give the offense a new dimension and to improve special teams.

6. D’Anton Lynn, FS (CB at Penn State). Lynn might go undrafted as a CB, but as a FS, he has potential. At 6’0” and 205, he runs a 4.53 40 and is rather physical. A smart player and a leader, Lynn has the potential to turn a not-so-promising career as a CB into a solid player at FS.

7. Shawn Louiseau, MLB, (Merrimack). Louiseau is a small school special teamer with good size (6’ 0” 240) who can hit. He runs a 4.65 40, good for a MLB his size. He would be great depth behind Beason and Anderson, while combining with Davis and Rainey to make our special teams respectable again.

[Jackofalltrades]

Meh.

[rayzor]

1st half is good. i like the direction of the 2nd half but no opinion on the players bc i don't know anything about them.

just curious what we would have to have given up for that 3rd.

[Guest Bwood15]

Brockers just isn't a top 10 pick, he's just not someone I feel comfortable with taking that early and hoping he is the answer to our defensive woes.

We need a guy that get to the QB, cause turnovers, and just be all around disruptive in different defensive packages.

[CardiacCats]

First few picks are alright

[SOJA]

I really like the first two picks. Then again we are a long way away

[MHS831]

1st half is good. i like the direction of the 2nd half but no opinion on the players bc i don't know anything about them.

just curious what we would have to have given up for that 3rd.

Trade the 9th pick to Arizona for #13 + their third rounder.

I am not crazy about the draft, but it was what I came up with when I ran through it.

[JawnyBlaze]

I like it a lot. I also don't know much about the back half guys, and I'd like a P and/or K on the third day, I'd also be ok with taking Demario Davis with that acquired 3rd after watching that video in the other thread about him. Also, I like Gilmore well enough but I'd probably rather get Markelle Martin. I know that would leave our critical need at CB2 untouched but there's still FA, and probably a couple guys that could at the very least help us in the short term without breaking the bank. I wouldn't be upset with Gilmore though (if Minnifield and Jenkins are gone).

[Kuech the Sneak]

Would like to see another edge rusher like curry or cam johnson

[Jackofalltrades]

Trade the 9th pick to Arizona for #13 + their third rounder.

I am not crazy about the draft, but it was what I came up with when I ran through it.

Who says the Cards want to trade up?

[BOW BOW BOW BOW™]

Not a fan of Gilmore. Too inconsistent.

[JawnyBlaze]

Who says the Cards want to trade up?

I've seen it speculated in a number of mocks, most often trading with us. The thought is that they want to be sure to get one of the top 3 OTs and trading up with us wouldn't be terribly expensive and our needs more than most justify trying to trade down (our biggest needs - CB, DT, OLB - don't have great value where we're picking, most other teams in our vicinity have a need that'll be good value.)

[stirs]

We had better get the 8th pick for better trade opportunity

[MHS831]

Who says the Cards want to trade up?

One of the Cardinals' biggest needs is LT. That is common knowledge. There are 3 LTs in the draft who are (arguably) starting LTs as rookies. Since Left Tackles are hard to come by and nearly as rare as franchise QBs, they are rarely drafted outside the top 10. So, one could predict that the Cards might find a third rounder worth the move. But if you want a quote from a Cardinal insider, you will not find one--teams do not share draft strategies with the press in January. If you examine their needs and the market, you can predict who might offer when your team's number comes up.

The argument against the Cards moving up is that they have several needs and no second rounder.