I had the mock draft fairly email me the top 10 from latest mock drafts from Mel Kiper and Todd McShay via ESPN Insider. In both cases it would seem both of these gurus let the combine affect there rankings, something you hear other pundits say is a bad move. But here we go anyway:
Mel Kiper - Link to Mock Draft (Insiders Only)
Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
The Carolina defense couldn't stop the run last year and had to rotate a pair of rookies on the defensive interior. The offense could use a couple pieces, but they'll be able to score points. Carolina needs to find some stops. Poe was the story of the combine on the defensive side of the ball. He posted numbers for a big man we haven't seen since ...[cut off, crap]
Want to guess on who he was referring to? So Russ Lande still has Poe in the 50's yet Kiper now puts him in the top 10? Somebody is way off base here. As good as Poe seems to be getting a big nose tackle doesn't seem like exactly the type of defender I'm hoping to get in the top 10, IMO.
Todd McShay - Link to Mock Draft (Insiders Only)
Move to Todd McShay, we have a guy that has been discussed a lot on CSR:
Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
The Panthers have big needs at wide receiver and corner, but with no worthy options at those positions, Coples becomes an attractive option. Coach Ron Rivera is looking to shore up the defensive front, and you can never have enough good pass-rushers. And because Coples is a top-five talent who should slip just a bit because of an inconsistent motor, he is almost a value pick at this point.
I'm not sure what to think about this one. A lot of people seem sold on Coples but me personally I can't get past the bad taste of Peppers in my mouth. Maybe Coples will be the next Peppers without the aversion to Charlotte?
So what do you think of these Panther fans?