Completed GM Run Mock

I just completed a mock draft on New Era Scouting's forum. It was a full 7 rounder with compensatory picks. The mock was made by individual team's fans, so it was interesting to see who and what positions the fans thought would be targeted.

I tried to stay with the BPA strategy that we saw from the Panthers last season, but I stayed with positions of need. I feel that there are too many holes right now to go BPA throughout the draft.

Keep in mind that this mock started before the Panthers signed Hackett,Holt, and before Stewart's turf toe was made public.

Here are the Panthers results:
New Era Scouting Carolina Panthers Mock Recap:

#13 – Jonathan Stewart, RB from Oregon5’11” 235lbs 4.46/40
Rated #9 on my board (+4). I just can’t pass up the value at a position of need. Stewart will be a viable number two to DeAngelo Williams and a capable back-up in case of injury.
While other running backs received considerable national attention, tucked away in Eugene, Oregon, was an athlete many feel was the most complete running back in college football in 2007 -- Jonathan Stewart.

He has the size of a fullback, the strength of an offensive lineman and the quickness of a sprinter. Playing with a style that reminds pro scouts of Kansas City's Larry Johnson, Stewart proved, even through injuries, perfectly capable of handling the rushing load.

Despite starting just 25 games at Oregon, he ranks second in school history with 2,891 yards rushing. His 198 points scored is the sixth-best career total in Ducks annals and his 4,889 all-purpose yards rank third on the school's career list. His 1,722 yards on the ground in 2007 was the most ever by a running back at the university and rank ninth on the Pac-10 single-season chart. He also used his 233-pound frame as a kickoff returner, finishing second on Oregon's career charts with a 28.69-yard average and 1,664 yards gained.

#43 – Trevor Laws, DT from Notre Dame 6’1” 304lbs 5.01/40
Rated #48 on my board (-5). This is the only reach of the draft. Carolina has but two DTs on the roster. Kemosabe is the run stuffer and Damione Lewis is the penetrater. Optimally, they need another of each. Laws provides the quick burst and penetrating ability needed to spell Kemo on obvious passing downs.
With all of the attention heaped upon LSU's Glenn Dorsey and Southern California's Sedrick Ellis, some might be surprised to note Laws is by far and away the most productive defensive tackle eligible for the draft. Utilizing a quick burst, impressive hand technique and a non-stop motor, Laws' team-leading 112 tackles ranks only one behind Steve Niehaus as the most in Irish history from a defensive lineman. A strong performance at the Senior Bowl proved Laws wasn't a product of a leaky Notre Dame defense, but a standout despite it.

#67 – Andre Caldwell, WR from Florida6’1” 204lbs 4.35/40
Rated #39 on my board (+28). BPA at a position of need. Caldwell is one of the top receivers in the draft and arguably the top blocking WR. He’s a very physical playmaker with great timed speed and potential number two.
To truly appreciate Andre Caldwell's football skills, you must look at what he does without the football and not judge him strictly on his statistics. A punishing in-line and second-level blocker,

Caldwell has proven to be a playmaker with the ability to strike from anywhere on the field, whether it is catching, running, throwing or returning the ball. He is the type of player opposing defenses must account for anytime he is on the field. The Florida game plan did not afford him many touches, but when he did get his hands on the ball, good things happened.

#74 – Darrell Robertson, DE from Georgia Tech 6’4” 255lbs 4.76/40
Rated #57 on my board (+17). Robertson possesses speed off the edge and excellent run support. He would challenge for playing time this season.
Robertson is one of the most important defensive players to wear a Yellow Jackets uniform since safety Pat Swilling (1982-85) terrorized opposing offenses. The talented pass rusher has outstanding speed coming off the edge and his ability to get into the opposing backfields helped the Yellow Jackets become one of college football's elite defensive units in 2007. His stellar play as a senior was a big reason Georgia Tech's run defense was so impressive.

#108 – Quintin Demps, FS from UTEP 6’0” 206lbs 4.39/40
Rated #82 on my board (+26). Demps is a big-time playmaker, and that’s the style of safety I’m targeting. His coverage ability compares to a CB, having 5 PBs and 7 INTs. He’s not the hardest hitter at safety, but Carolina already has Harris to strike fear across the middle. He would become the FS starter by mid season.
Versatile athlete capable of making plays all over the field as a big-play defender. ... Cerebral defender who has become one of the nation's best turnover specialists by reading quarterback's eyes. ... Good short-area burst and late acceleration. ... Aggressive defender who shows excellent timing and leaping ability.

Cont...

 

#141 – Mike McGlynn, OL from Pittsburgh6’4” 311lbs 5.38/40
Rated #95 on my board (+46). McGlynn played both tackle positions at Pitt, but I’ve read scouting reports that project him at OG in the pros. His versatility would be a welcome addition to the squad. This is the first round that the OL has been a great value, and I’m excited to have McGlynn available. He’s quick, gets to the second level well, has deep snapping skills, is a leader on the team and plays with passion.
Offensive linemen usually spend their careers in relative anonymity, but NFL scouts' eyes were fixed on Pittsburgh's twin tackles during the 2007 season.

One of the most versatile blockers in the collegiate ranks, the talented right tackle has the nimble feet and slide to play left tackle, the short-area quickness and angle-blocking skill to lead on traps and sweeps as an offensive guard and the deep-snapping skills and hand quickness to possibly shift to center at the pro level. McGlynn, a vocal leader of the Pitt front wall, shows great passion and desire on his 2006 film.

#180 – Carlton Powell, DT from Virginia Tech 6’2 292lbs 5.10/40
Rated #166 on my board (+14). Strong inside run stuffer who can make plays up and down the line due to his lateral movement (4.35 20-yard shuttle). Powell would be an excellent DT to sub for Lewis in run situations and goal line stands. He can add 15-20 pounds without having it affect his balance or quickness.
A number of Virginia Tech outside linebackers and defensive ends have had success over the years. Oftentimes, the tireless work of the defensive tackles who constantly took on multiple blockers in order to free up their teammates to make the big plays have been overshadowed. Because of the constant multiple coverage that they face, the Hokies' defensive tackles do not have eye-opening statistics, but head coach Frank Beamer has noted the need for his defensive tackles to dominate vs. the inside running game.

While Tech has produced quality run-stuffing tackles in recent seasons, none has shown the ability to simply shut down the opposition's ground game the way Carlton Powell, Jr. can. How dominant has Powell been? In 73 plays that he made vs. the run, he held the opponent to minus-21 yards rushing. Since Powell was inserted into the starting lineup, Tech has led the nation in total defense the last two years (2005-06) and led the Division 1-A ranks in scoring defense in 2006, after placing second the previous two seasons.

#220 – Kory Lichtensteiger, OG/OC from Bowling Green6’2” 298lbs 5.25/40
Rated #147 on my board (+63). Kory is quick (4.56 20-yard shuttle) and his versatility will make him a valuable asset for the Panthers earlier in his pro career. He can stand to add 15 pounds, but he has the frame to be able to do that without affecting his quickness.
He has worked hard to develop into a very effective trap blocker and has experience at guard, so a move back to that position during his first few years won't be slowed by a lack of experience. He is a tenacious drive blocker who keeps his head on a swivel to locate and land on second-level defenders with consistency. He is a smart player who makes good line calls and adjustments. With his ability to work in unison with his fellow interior blockers, whatever position he lines up at next year, look for him to make a smooth adjustment to NFL life.

Lichtensteiger's ability to excel at center or offensive guard is leading to comparisons to Jacksonville's Brad Meester. The Bowling Green team captain has a devastating hand punch and placement to consistently sustain his blocks and shows the nimble feet to get out in front consistently, neutralizing second-level defenders in the ground game. His 87.78% grade for blocking consistency led major college centers.

#242 – Jerome Felton, FB from Furman 6’ 241lbs 4.68/40
Rated #246 on my board (-4). HOMER PICK! This is the Panthers perfect FB. He’s quick, he can catch, he’s super smart and a good blocker. I dream of seeing this guy in a single back set in the red zone.
Felton has quietly developed into one of the most dominant scoring machines in college football. Blessed with the quickness and lateral agility of a tailback, this bruising runner inside the red zone has outstanding body lean, as he was tackled behind the line of scrimmage only 15 times during his career for minus-22 yards on 575 rushing attempts while scoring 63 times on the ground. The school's all-time record holder in scoring with 414 points, he also excels in the classroom, twice earning Southern Conference academic accolades with a 3.25 grade point average in Political Science.

He’s like Jerome Bettis, but quicker. Both display the powerful frame that allows them to break tackles and drag multiple defenders in attempts to gain additional yardage. Felton is a devastating scorer when near the goal line and has shown decent receiving skills out of the backfield. He might be a better fit in a one-back offense, but he has enough hip snap to play tailback and the upper body strength to play fullback, making him a valuable prospect due to his versatility.

#250 – Corey Lynch, FS from Appalachian State 6’1” 204lbs 4.64/40
Rated #229 on my board (+21). Why this guy was not invited to the NFL Combine is beyond me. 111 tackles, forced 2 fumbles and recovered another, deflected 11 passes, had 6 picks with 114 return yards…plus a TD, AND blocked three kicks. He’s huge in the red zone and on fourth down situations. This guy just seems to always be in the right place at the right time.

Lynch showed just about everything you’d want to see from a safety; the willingness and ability to quickly read and react in run support, the instincts and adequate speed to make plays on sideline passes, and exceptional special teams prowess – both as a kick blocker and in coverage.

 

Somehow you seem locked in on taking a RB at #13, I have the same issue with drafttek having us taking a RB with Williams and Otah available.

 

RB is not an area of need. We have a solid starter. We could use some depth but not with our first round pick. We need a player to make an immediate impact to our DL or OL with our first rounder.

 

That's the kind of draft that gets people fired.

 

boooo

 

Stewart you have as the 9th rated player in this draft?

I disagree with that idea, but fair enough. I never found him the best back in the draft by any means, but I'm not going to

if you do have your top 15-20 handy, it'd be neat to see. Not necessary, though.

The other thing is trying to figure out how WR is in any way a need. That pick, at the very least, would need to be a lineman, and far overdue.

 

I disagree. I would say we need to add another running back, BUT not in the 1st round. That's a wasted pick. You don't use a 1st round pick for a backup behind a guy who also was a 1st rounder and only has what 2 years in the league? I could even live with that if we didn't have so many holes on the Oline. The draft listed above doesn't touch a lineman until the 5th round when another starter is needed now?

Not a good draft.

 

Interesting....like you said, it takes a different light now, because of the signings like Hackett and co., but to see OL ignored until late is still concerning.

Overall...eh. Good shot, but you had to know it was going to get some heat.

 

Drafttek has us taking williams now.