ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay has released his latest mock draft (if you're an Insider you can read it in full here), and for Panthers fans it brings a familiar face to Carolina. We've talked about this prospect plenty of times here at CSR, so instead of re-hashing his strengths and weaknesses I'm just going to let McShay do the talking for me.
14. Carolina Panthers
Sheldon Richardson, DT (Missouri) | 6' 2 1/2", 294 lbs
Analysis: This is yet another team in the market for an offensive tackle, but it's still too early to consider the second-tier tackles on the board. Especially when a player like Richardson is available. He can bring explosiveness and playmaking ability to a defensive front that has gotten stale in recent years. Richardson can stay fresh in a rotation, giving head coach Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Sean McDermott the penetrating 3-technique they've been looking for since taking over in Carolina.
This is, like, the 437th mock draft* that predicts the Panthers will draft Richardson, but in their defense it's not like the move doesn't make sense. The Panthers need to shore up their interior defensive line, and with Dwan Edwards being the only real play-maker at the defensive tackle position it's not out of the realm of possibility that Carolina elects to go with Richardson if he's still on the board when it's time for Gettleman to make his first draft choice as the Panthers' GM.
* Ok, maybe not 437th, but close enough.
No one knows exactly what the Panthers are going to do on draft day, but with all the pundits mocking Richardson to Carolina, don't be surprised when he's standing on the stage with the commish holding a Panthers jersey.
What do you say Panthers fans? Should Carolina draft Sheldon Richardson? Tell us what you think!