In what is sure to be a popular pick leading up to the 2012 draft, Sports Illustrated's Don Banks has the Carolina Panthers passing on offensive linemen and selecting the rangy Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick in his latest mock draft.
The Panthers' statistically-challenged secondary needs another cornerback to start opposite Chris Gamble, and Kirkpatrick offers the size and athleticism to square off against the Marques Colston's, Roddy White's and Mike Williams's of the NFC South. One way for Carolina to step up in weight class in 2012 is to get better at defending the pass.
There are some bizarre curiosities to be sure, like Michael Brockers lasting until the Patriots' 27th pick while the likes of Devon Still, Jerel Worthy and Dontari Poe are all selected earlier, which is unlikely to happen. That being said there are a lot of sound moves that make a great deal of sense.
I suggest you follow the link through to the mock and use the comments to discuss not only the Panthers' move, but what you think of the mock as a whole.