The idea of drafting BPA is great. It shows a long-term willingness to build slowly, but there are times pick their needs -- regardless of what they said prior to the draft. This is an idea explored in one mock draft that addresses the Panthers biggest concern.
Josh Norris of Rotoworld gives a name we haven't heard in connection with the Panthers before and while most won't love it, the selection makes sense.
28. Carolina Panthers - T Morgan Moses, Virginia
This is purely a need based projection, as finding a current and future tackle is the Panthers' top need. Not receiver. I really hate Moses' posture and am afraid it will lead to waist bending due to some questions about his functional strength. Many questioned if the same would happy to Cordy Glenn. I was a big fan due to Glenn's ability to absorb and redirect thanks to his lower half athleticism. I do not see the same from Moses, but his hands are faster than his feet. I could buy some Marcus McNeil comparisons for Moses.
It's not sexy, it isn't a pick that will excite the fanbase -- but it does solidify the offensive tackle position for the future. Moses has fantastic size at 6'6, 325 pounds and would be a clear upgrade over Byron Bell, who allowed nine sacks, six hurries and a team-high 31 pressures in 2013. Moses is also a player who could become a replacement for Jordan Gross with time and practice.
Some will discount the pick as being un-Gettleman, however when you need an offensive tackle there are few greater priorities for an offense. Moses is already a plus level run pass protector and developing as a run blocker protector, something that caused CBS Sports to give him a better comparison than Marcus McNeil.
COMPARES TO: Ryan Clady, OT, Denver Broncos - Like Clady, Morgan enters the draft with plus movement skills for his size, but comes with many of the same questions that Clady did in terms of his ability to gnerate power enough to move defenders consistently as a run-blocker. If he can improve in this area, Moses has the upside to be a top-notch blind-side protector at the next level, as Clady has become.
Gettleman loves upside and doesn't care what consensus opinion is when forming his BPA board. This is a man who believed Kawann Short was the best pass rushing defensive tackle in the draft, so it's not outside the realm of possibility.