Carolina Panthers

2017 NFL Draft: Carolina Panthers End-of-March 7-Round Mock Draft

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:37 p.m. ET

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Sep 17, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) rushes the ball against the Portland State Vikings during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

With less than a month until the opening of the 2017 NFL Draft, we'll look at how the Carolina Panthers can fill holes in this seven-round mock draft.

Following an uncharacteristically expensive free agent spending spree, general manager Dave Gettleman has done a solid job in filling necessary gaps, and in doing so has established a clear win now sentiment for the organization. Possessing a full slate of picks in the 2017 NFL draft, the team has an opportunity to provide a healthy talent injection into the roster.

Holding three of the top 64 picks of the draft, Gettleman will be sure to land quality players with the potential for immediate impact. In need of skill players on offense, the Panthers will be looking for playmakers that can turn around a sputtering 2016 offense. While more complete on the defensive side of the ball, a rotational pass rusher and safety for the future will likely be in order.

With that in mind, let's look towards prospects that could become potential Panthers in next month's NFL Draft.

Round 1, Pick 8: John Ross, WR – Washington

A selection that would likely be met with claims of being a reach, the Panthers select John Ross of Washington, now popularly known for his record setting time in the 40-yard dash. In the weeks since, Ross has undergone a private visit with the team, and was one of their earliest prospects of interest in the entire draft

After losing their largest receiving threat on the roster in Ted Ginn to free agency, Gettleman will not be keen in fielding Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess as his starting receivers. Instead, he'll look toward Ross, a player with every bit of Ginn's speed while possessing a more complete skill set.

Ross flashes the footwork and quickness in his release to create separation rapidly off the line of scrimmage, a skill not found on the current roster.  Not contained to just being a deep threat, Ross would give Cam Newton a lethal weapon on all three levels of the field, and could provide mismatch opportunities from the slot if asked.

With Ginn, the Panthers made a viable receiver out of a player known for being a perennial castoff. Ross is much more, a player with the necessary ball tracking and separation ability to create an immediate impact. If he passes medical checks, I expect Ross to find himself very high on the Panthers board, and very much in play at eighth overall.

Round 2, Pick 40: Obi Melifonwu, SS – Connecticut

Another prospect that did himself many favors at the combine, Melifonwu has found himself squarely on the Panthers radar. The team has made no qualms about expressing their interest, with meetings at the combine, Connecticut's pro day, and at a private visit in Charlotte.

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The interest displayed by the team makes perfect sense, as Melifonwu fits the physical profile desired while also filling an area of need. In signing strong safety Mike Adams during free agency, the Panthers have found a reasonable stop-gap solution. But at 36 years old, it's also time to look forward and find a safety for future years.

At 6-4 and 224 pounds, Melifonwu possesses the safety build that every team in the league is chasing. Coupled with rare levels of athleticism, he shows excellent run recognition ability and the range to cover sideline to sideline. He would provide defensive coordinator Steve Wilks with a highly unique chess piece, one that can cover from the slot while having the physical attributes to play downhill in the box.

The biggest knock against Melifonwu is that for all of his size, he's not yet an enforcer out of the defensive backfield. If he finds his way to 40th overall, the Panthers would jump at the opportunity to add his overwhelming talent in the hope that they can coach some physicality into his game.

Round 2, Pick 64: Taylor Moton, OT-Western Michigan

In paying Matt Kalil a whopping $55.5 million during free agency, the Panthers essentially shut down any talk of finding a future left tackle through the NFL Draft. His signing didn't answer all questions however, as the return of Michael Oher is still very much up in the air. While the team expects Oher to return as right tackle for the 2017 season, he finds himself recovering from a significant concussion, and will be 31 years old at the start of the year.

The team surely has these things in mind, as they have met with Taylor Moton of Western Michigan at both the Senior Bowl and his pro day. At 6-5 and 330 pounds, Moton fits the bill as a mammoth offensive tackle, and may finally provide some stability at the position for the Panthers.

Very capable in pass protection, Moton displays good bend at the knees and mirroring ability for a player of his size. His wide upper body build makes it difficult for defensive lineman to turn the corner against him, and he finds himself in complete control once latched on. With the size and physicality to match up against bull rushers, Moton is the prototypical right tackle.

Moton's area of weakness comes with his run blocking, with a tendency to bend at the waist and lunge after defenders. The Panthers would highly value his pass protecting ability, and hope to coach refinement and patience into him as a run blocker. Regardless, landing Moton at 64th overall would result in a starting right tackle sooner rather than later.

Round 3, Pick 98: Jamaal Williams, RB – BYU

Taking a running back later than most have expected, the Panthers would find excellent value in Jamaal Williams at the tail end of the third round. The recent one-year extension for Jonathan Stewart has lessened the need slightly, but the team should still attempt to find fresh legs that can split carries and pick up the load in his absence.

Producing two 1,000-yard seasons while at BYU, Williams backs it up on tape, while also raising the question of why he's flying under the radar. Built solidly for the NFL, he looks the part of becoming an every down back, consistent in grinding out yards and wearing down an opposing defense.

Williams displays excellent balance and lower body strength to run through arm tackles and gain hard earned extra yardage. Not limited to just his power ability, Williams can make defenders miss laterally with a nifty juke move. Perhaps most importantly, he displays a hard nosed attitude as a pass blocker, with the awareness to pick up extra blitzers.

Only lacking in elite vision, Williams may never have great cutback skill or the ability to find space outside his primary gap. That being said, the Panthers greatly value the pass protecting duties of their running backs, and Williams certainly fits the mold. He would provide a quality punch behind Jonathan Stewart, and may find himself as the full-time running back in two years time.

Round 4, Pick 115: Daeshon Hall, DE – Texas A&M

With a defensive end rotation of Charles Johnson, Julius Peppers, and Mario Addison, the Panthers could likely delay taking a edge rusher high in the draft. After the departure of former second round pick Kony Ealy, the team could still use some youth and a developmental player that could ease into greater snap numbers.

The second half of a formidable pass rush duo with expected first overall pick Myles Garrett, Daeshon Hall doesn't fall that far behind in terms of measurables. At 6-5 and 266 pounds, Hall posted a 4.76-second 40 yard dash on top of impressive 3-cone drill and broad jump numbers.

His exceptional athleticism translates to the field, with a quick get-off and burst off the edge. Hall has great change of direction skills for a player of his size, and understands how to shoot gaps to track down ball carriers. As a pass rusher, he flashes a variety of hand moves and ability to counter offensive lineman.

Showing multiple traits for a solid NFL career, Hall does lack some refinement and consistency to his game. Despite his size, he's still very raw in terms of consistent pad level and imposing his strength, finding himself washed out of some plays and running too hot and cold during games. However, his translatable pass rushing ability is undeniable, and the Panthers would take their chance at a potential future starter.

Round 5, Pick 152: Jeremy Sprinkle, TE-Arkansas

Following the 2015 season, the Panthers searched high and low for a potential replacement for back up tight end Ed Dickson. While a serviceable player, Dickson isn't outstanding in any one area of his game, and limits the potential impact of running two tight end formations.

The Panthers could look during Day 1 or 2 for a tight end option, perhaps in the form of Alabama's O.J. Howard. However, the depth and value of this tight end class leave viable options even this late in the draft. Enter Jeremy Sprinkle of Arkansas, a player with a well rounded game and the potential to win the backup tight end position.

At 6-5 and 252 pounds, Sprinkle has above average size for a tight end, and understands how to use it to his advantage. A highly capable blocker, Sprinkle looks to drive defensive lineman off the line of scrimmage to open space for runners, and shows good technique with a powerful base as a pass blocker. While not dominant as a pass catcher, he still showed usefulness receiving as a H-Back or on play action concepts.

Lacking the high end athleticism of modern day tight ends, Sprinkle struggles with his quickness off the snap and coming out of route breaks. He'll likely never create much separation and will be limited to mismatch opportunities. However, his ability to block and free up Greg Olsen for more route opportunities would make him a nice addition in the fifth round.

Nov 5, 2016; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats linebacker Elijah Lee (9) celebrates a fumble recovery during a game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Cowboys won the game, 43-37. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6, Pick 192: Elijah Lee, OLB – Kansas State

After A.J. Klein's expected departure in free agency, and with Thomas Davis nearing the twilight of his career, the Panthers may soon be in need of quality linebacker depth. With Luke Kuechly and Shaq Thompson firmly entrenched for the foreseeable future, Elijah Lee of Kansas State may one day develop into the third linebacker role.

A franchise known for their affinity with linebackers, Lee will check all the boxes. Possessing the range and movement skills to turn and cover seam routes or underneath throws, while also having the instinct to flow towards ball carriers and tackle with reliability.

There's a reason the Panthers find him in the sixth round, as Lee is still very raw in regards to route recognition and getting his eyes caught in the backfield, leaving receivers with too much space in intermediate areas. He will also need to develop a sense of urgency for shedding blocks and playing downhill with more aggression.

Round 7, Pick 233: Joshua Dobbs, QB – Tennessee

Since 2011, the Panthers quarterback room has undergone very little change. The combination of Cam Newton and Derek Anderson has given the team a luxury that most don't possess, both a quality starter and backup. However, with Anderson struggling in his limited snaps last year and also nearing 34 years old, the team may look for a new arm more in the mold of Newton's skill set.

Josh Dobbs of Tennessee would give the team just that, possessing explosive arm talent and running ability. Showing the intelligence to progress through reads and find his check down, Dobbs also has the pocket awareness to dump the ball quickly or take off on the ground.

While Dobbs flashes talent indicative of a higher round player, his decision making and accuracy can be maddeningly inconsistent. Erratic footwork in the pocket can greatly affect his ball placement on all levels of the field, while some head scratching reads point towards predetermination on certain throws. Dobbs would overall be an interesting developmental option that could turn into Newton's long-term back-up.

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