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2018 NFL Draft: My Monthly Draft 3.0

It's time for my next Monthly Mock Draft! Sorry that this one couldn't be an exact month after the last one (thanks for always screwing things up, February). Before I start my draft I need to add some Offseason predictions to add some context to the draft. I think we will resign all of our free agents except for Norwell (he'll be too expensive), Anderson (don't need an old backup anymore) and possibly Loutelli (unless he resigns cheap). We should also cut Stewart and Johnson (hopefully they will retire), and Shepard since he doesn't deserve to be our highest paid WR. I thought we might cut Ryan Kalil this year, but we'll let him play one more year so he can retire as a Panther. I also think Peppers will return for one more year before he retires. We should not splurge or overspend on one big-name Free Agent, however, we should use our money wisely to hopefully get a veteran, decent WR (like Paul Richardson) and CB (like Rashaan Melvin), and possibly some cheap DE, S, or OT depth. In this draft, I am also exploring the different positions we could use each of our draft picks for. Even though the order and predictions of this draft are my own, I would like to give credit to the various sources (mainly WalterFootball) I used to create my draft. I would also like to give a very special thanks to our own Durst, for supplying me with a variety of advice, suggestions, and feedback which helped me create this draft. Keep in mind that this is only a mock draft, and any of these predictions could change due to injuries, Free Agency, or retirement. Now on to the draft.

Disclaimer: Just because I am not including any trades in this draft that does not mean I do not expect any to occur. I just have no reliable way of predicting any trades, however, if we do trade in the draft, I expect we would trade either our extra 3rd or 7th round pick.

Carolina Panthers 2018 Mock Draft 3.0:

(Important Side Note: This entire Mock Draft and Offseason predictions were created BEFORE Johnson, Coleman, and Stewart were cut.)

Round 1, Pick 27: Best Player Available or Isaiah Wynn, Guard

This is how our 1st round list should work: Top 10 Non-QB Player (Saquon Barkley, Calvin Ridley, etc), Top 3 DE (Bradley Chubb, Marcus Davenport, and Arden Key are the only ones I feel are worth a first-round pick), Top 2 S (Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derwin James are the only ones I feel are worth a 1st round pick), and if none of those players are available then Isaiah Wynn, Guard. No, I do not have Top whatever WR, since I think we can find a good WR through FA, and there are plenty of good WRs later in the draft. Also, Calvin Ridley is the only 1st round worthy receiver, and not only will he not fall to 24, but I still don't think he'd be a great fit for our team. For this round, I use a specific player since Isaiah Wynn is Mayock's 2nd rated Guard (only behind Quinton Nelson), he can play at any position on the line, and he can play immediately at the hole left by Norwell's departure. Some will say that he doesn't have 1st-round talent, however, I have seen plenty of mock drafts with him going to us at 24, or to the Falcons at 26 (and who doesn't want to steal their pick?). So basically my logic for our first round list goes like this: Best Non-QB Player Available, Top 3 DE (since we should be losing Johnson this year, Peppers the next, and Addison is already 30), Top 2 S (Kurt Coleman is almost 30, and Mike Adams is 36), and Isaiah Wynn (to replace Norwell and add O-line depth).

Suggested Player if DE: Marcus Davenport, UTSA

Suggested Player if S: Derwin James, Florida State

Most Likely Player: Isaiah Wynn, Guard

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Round 2, Pick 59: Defensive End

This is, of course, assuming that we did not go DE in the 1st round, I also think we could go Safety with this pick, since we have aged, and aging players at both positions, with little depth behind them, so this should come down to whichever player is the BPA. I feel like DE is the most likely pick since we will only have one year left with Julius Peppers, and Charles Johnson will either retire, be cut, or leave as a Free Agent. That leaves Mario Addison, who is on the wrong side of 30, as our only viable starter. The rest of our depth is all inexperienced, rookies who should provide nothing more than solid depth. I also feel like there will be better Safeties in the 3rd round than Defensive Ends.

Suggested Player if DE: Duke Ejiofor, Wake Forest

Suggested Player if S: DeShon Elliot, Texas

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Round 3, Pick 86: Safety

Kurt Coleman is almost 30, and Mike Adams is 36. Little depth behind them. Should be DE if last pick was S.

Suggested Player if S: Kyzir White, West Virginia

Suggested Player if DE: Chad Thomas, Miami

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Round 3, Pick 91: Wide Receiver

Even though we seem to be content with Funchess as WR1, we can't deny that we're definitely lacking talent at the position. Samuel and Byrd were playing well until they were injured, but we still need a true deep threat to help Cam in the passing game. This is why this pick should be used to choose a reliable, speedy WR who has enough upside to potentially be our future WR1.

Suggested Player: Anthony Miller, Memphis

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Round 4: Runningback

Yes, I know, we do not have a 4th round pick. And I am not predicting that we will trade up for a 4th round pick, BUT, if we did have a 4th round pick, this would be the perfect round to draft an RB. This is most likely Stewart's last year, and we could use a powerful, bruising RB to replace him. Whoever we pick should be a strong, workhorse, run-defenders-over RB who can be a good compliment to CMC. Could also use this pick for a TE if we want a good replacment for Olsen, or even a good complimentary TE2.

Suggested Player if RB: Bo Scarborough, Alabama

Suggested Player if TE: Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin (if available) or Ryan Izzo, Florida State

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(If we cannot acquire a 4th Round pick, then my draft would look like this from here on: Round 5-RB (Darell Williams, LSU), Round 6-TE (Cam Serigne, Wake Forest), Round 7- LB or CB, Round 7-QB (Quinton Flowers)).

Round 5, Pick 155: Tight End

Greg Olsen has been, is, and always will be the best TE in the league, however, his injury showed that his absence can significantly affect our passing game. He seems to be getting better with age, but it wouldn't hurt to draft his eventual successor, or at least someone to provide solid depth.

Suggested Player: Marcus Baugh, Ohio State

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Round 6, Pick 187: Linebacker

Thomas Davis isn't getting younger, and Luke Kuechly is unfortunately prone to concussions. Adds some depth to the position.

Suggested Player: Mike McCray, Michigan

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Round 7, Pick 214: BPA or CB

At this point in the draft it really doesn't matter, so just Best Player Available, hopefully someone who can at least provide depth at a position of need.

Suggested Player: Michael Joseph, Dubuque.

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Round 7, Pick 219: Quarterback

Adds some depth to the position and possibly a future backup or starter. Can contribute as WR or on special teams until he is needed. Basically like a Joe Webb but with more potential/upside.

Suggested Player: Quinton Flowers, South Florida

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(Note: If Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida falls to Round 5 or lower, we should pick him up. He has a lot of character of issues, but his talent is DEFINITELY worth the baggage.)

And there's my Mock Draft 3.0! I would appreciate as much critique and feedback you guys can provide! Keep Pounding!

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