Carolina Panthers

2017 NFL Mock Draft: Carolina Panthers

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Who should the Carolina Panthers be targeting in the 2017 NFL Draft?

Next in the team only mock drafts we will be doing is the Carolina Panthers.  After going 17-2 last season and ending their amazing season with a loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50, the Panthers seem to have fallen off this season.

They have started their first 6 games up to their bye week going 1-5, which a mere two months ago, pundits would have thought virtually impossible.  Much has been discussed about the Panthers offseason after losing the Super Bowl, and how things went wrong.  We will see if they can get back on track in the draft during the 2017 offseason.

It’s hard to get a good grasp on where the Panthers will be positioned after the season is over, as experts still expect the Panthers to win some games.  For the purpose of this mock draft, we’ll place them in the middle of the pack.  Between 12 and 17.

Of course, anyone who knows the Panthers and their team management, Dave Gettleman typically doesn’t go by the book.  However today, we’ll make suggestions based on team needs and best player available.

We’ll start with the 1st Round.

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) rushes past Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Avery Gennesy (65) during the second half at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

#1  Derek Barnett – DE – University of Tennessee

The Panthers are struggling this season in a multitude of areas, but one that is painfully obvious is the pass rush.  The secondary has definitely struggled, allowing massive amounts of passing yards so far this season.  But the pass rush has not helped them at all.

Charles Johnson is getting older and hasn’t been as effective as previous seasons.  Kony Ealy had high hopes after a great showing in the playoffs and 3 sack Super Bowl performance, but hasn’t exactly lived up to the hype.

Dave Gettleman loves his “Hog Mollies”, the name he uses to refer to his big men that have an elite combination of size, speed, and strength.  In the first round, I expect them to target the pass rush, adding someone true to their nature and defensive scheme through the draft.

The Panthers love drafting big defensive ends that can stop the run, while also being hugely effective in the pass rush.  Derek Barnett is a 6’3″ 265 pound very athletic Defensive End for Tennessee.

He has 6 sacks over the last 4 weeks, has made some very impressive plays, and has an interception, showing his awareness and ability to tip passes as well.  Barnett is a very effective run stopper.  He is usually seeing double teams in college, but has effectively dealt with those to show his strength.

He is seen as a 4-3 defender, which fits into their scheme perfectly.  The Panthers could use an elite playmaker like Barnett, someone to come in and learn from a storied veteran like Charles Johnson, while making an immediate difference.

Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Sam Mustipher (53) and offensive lineman Quenton Nelson (56) and offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey (68) during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

#2  Mike McGlinchey – OT – Notre Dame

With their second pick in the draft, Carolina decides to stick with the big men and develop on their offensive line.  After having some injury problems this season at the position, as well as just some general concern, this could even be a position targeted in the first round or in Free Agency.

McGlinchey may not even be available with this pick, but if he is, he will be a great fit.  At 6’7″ 310 pounds, McGlinchey is currently the 4th rated prospect at OT by cbssports.com.

After playing RT before Ronnie Stanley left for the NFL Draft last season, McGlinchey has played LT to protect Quarterback DeShone Kizer’s blind side this season.  He has been extremely efficient, providing great size, a wide base, and picks up blocks very well.

Mike has been sound in all aspects of blocking but could use some enhancements at the NFL level.  Many say he needs a little more strength to compliment his already large frame.  He could also use a little bit of work on foot quickness to keep up with speedy edge rushers.  Lastly, he could get better at run blocking, which would have to happen on a Panthers team that loves to run the football.

A good prospect at this point in the draft, McGlinchey could be heading to Charlotte.

Oct 7, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston College Eagles defensive end Harold Landry (7) fails to tackle Clemson Tigers running back Wayne Gallman (9) during the third quarter at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

#3  Wayne Gallman – RB – Clemson University

With their 3rd pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, I have the Carolina Panthers targeting the RB position.  It’s no secret that Jonathan Stewart has always found a way to show up on the injury report throughout his time with the Panthers.

Tolbert is getting older and becoming less of a part of the run game.  Fozzy Whitaker and Cameron Artis-Payne are good fill-in players for when Stewart has been injured, but aren’t built to be the franchise running back for the Panthers.

Insert Wayne Gallman.  Gallman has been an absolute stud in a high-powered Clemson offense for the last 2 seasons.  He really came onto the scene last year in Clemson’s run to the National Championship game.

Gallman is 6’0″ 215 pounds and checks almost every box that the Panthers would be looking for.  The Tigers run a very similar offense as the Panthers, and both teams have a dominant dual threat quarterback that effectively runs the run/pass option.

Gallman has experience running the ball out of the shotgun option/read.  He also has experience running for lots of yards once the quarterback has decided to hand him the ball.  He isn’t just a spread offense runner though.  Gallman runs the ball very hard, and can be a bruiser.

He is very effective between the tackles and has great strength and size that the Panthers look for as they too like to ground and pound.  Gallman can also catch passes out of the backfield and give the Panthers a lot.

The Panthers already have a high-powered offense, but by adding to the OT position, and bringing in a running back that can carry the load for them could make them scary.

Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Louisville Cardinals safety Josh Harvey-Clemons (25) during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies in the 2015 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

#4  Josh Harvey-Clemons – S – University of Louisville

In the 4th Round, the Panthers target Josh Harvey-Clemons out of Louisville.  Ever since the offseason, the Panthers have had trouble at the Strong Safety position.

The initial move was to have last season’s Free Safety, Kurt Coleman, move to SS.  Tre Boston was to move into a starting role at Free Safety.  After that experiment didn’t work out, the Panthers moved Coleman back to Strong, and signed veteran Michael Griffin, who has since not played very much either.

Among other injuries and the franchise having trouble just having an able body at the position at times, the Panthers have to look to add depth here. Harvey-Clemons could be a great add for them in the draft.

He is a 6’4″ 228 pound Strong Safety, and could immediately come in to help the Panthers secondary. He has shown good ball skills and a ball-hawk mentality so far this season on a solid Louisville team.

The only concern here for the Panthers could be on character.  Harvey-Clemons was dismissed from UGA among multiple infractions as well as a few involving marijuana.  Hopefully his troubles are behind him and this won’t be a concern moving forward.

If so, this would be a superb 4th-round pickup.

Sep 24, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Zay Jones (7) catches a pass against Virginia Tech Hokies linebacker Andrew Motuapuaka (54) during the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

#5  Zay Jones – WR – East Carolina University

Staying close to home, Panthers go with Zay Jones with their 5th-round pick.   I could see the Panthers targeting the secondary here again, but with so many draft picks taken last year, you have to expect them to want to develop their young cornerbacks.  If anything, they may pick up a veteran in Free Agency.

In any case, I see the Panthers picking up a wide receiver in this round.  The Panthers have great options at Wide Receiver in Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess, who are both big bodies.  What they could use is a young slot receiver to give Cam options quickly.

We’ve seen in the past that against fast edge rushers, Cam didn’t have reliable options to get open quickly, especially in the slot.  Ted Ginn is 31 years old, and could be upgraded as well.  Zay Jones has been remarkable for the Pirates this season.  He even had a 20+ reception game for almost 200 yards versus South Carolina early in the season.

More from With the First Pick

Carolina could use a playmaker to add to the offense, giving Cam even more options.  However, as said before, don’t be surprised if the Panthers take another chance to add to their defense through the draft here either.

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