Panther Nation You are on the Clock. Part 1 Offense

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The NFL draft is around ten days away and it is time for us Panther fans to speak out. In this article I will list 2-5 available players per offensive position grouping (excluding TE and QB) at pick #25 based on Drafttek’s latest mock draft, plus a few that could be at the backend of round one come draft day. In case you didn’t know, C3’s very own “Mel Mayock” (@PantherDrafter) does the picks and write-ups for the Panthers on Drafttek; it is definitely worth a look if you haven't already done so. After viewing the players listed, you may vote on the poll. On April 24th, Part 2 of this article focusing on defensive options at #25 will be posted. The offensive and defensive poll winners will be featured in Part 3 with a more in depth evaluation and a final poll on April 28th, on day 1 of the draft (April 30th) the winner will be revealed. So let’s see who Panther Nation wants as our future star!

 

Offensive Line:

TJ Clemmings, Pittsburgh 

Extremely raw tackle with a high upside. He may take a year or so to develop before he can start, can the Panther’s afford the wait? Goes #28 to Denver in Drafttek’s mock

DJ Humphries, Florida

Humphries has been rumored to the Panther’s for awhile now. Bulldozer in the run game, he could be a opening day starter on the right side and transition to the left. Not without questions, but a very solid tackle prospect late in the draft. Goes #21 to Cincinnati in Drafttek’s mock.

Andrus Peat, Stanford

Another raw tackle prospect with extremely high upside. Peat is raw in pass protection, but could be another day 1 starter on the right and our future at left tackle. Arguably has the highest upside of any tackle in the draft. Goes #34 to Tampa Bay in Drafttek’s mock, but he could here his name called among the top 15.

Jake Fisher, Oregon

One of the most athletic tackles in the draft, Fisher reminds a lot of people of Jordan Gross. Has experience blocking for a mobile quarterback in Marcus Mariota. Goes #38 to Washington in Drafttek’s mock, could be an option at #25 or a possible trade up in round 2, though I doubt that would happen.

Ereck Flowers, Miami

A young strong guy who would be an immediate boost in the run game. Don’t particularly see him as a left tackle in the league, but a guy with Pro Bowl potential on the right. Goes #40 to the New York Giants in Drafttek’s mock, several mocks have the Panthers nabbing him at #25 though.

Running Back:

Todd Gurley, Georgia

One of the most talented play makers of the last few years, Gurley has some calling him the next Adrian Peterson. We can’t rely on J Stew to stay healthy a whole season, and his days in Carolina are probably numbered anyways. The fan base is split on whether we should draft a running back first round, but all fans would be rooting for him if he lives up to his potential playing for Carolina. If Gettleman truly lives by the BPA philosophy, he should be the pick at #25. Goes to the running back needy San Diego Chargers at #17 in Drafttek’s mock, but rumors of them trading up, a recent ACL tear, and the first round running back stereotype could have him fall to #25.

Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin

Another potential running back option at #25 is the nation’s leading rusher this past season. More likely in my opinion to fall to us in the first round, he’d be an intriguing option at #25. I think he will have a harder time adjusting to the next level than Gurley, but still has Jamaal Charles upside. Goes #23 to Detroit in Drafttek’s mock.

 

Wide Receiver:

Breshad Perriman, Central Florida

A riser in the draft process, Perriman is a legitimate option for the Panthers in the first round. Blessed with an insane height speed ( 6’2” and a 4.27 40 yard dash) he could be the receiver lining up opposite of Kelvin Benjamin for years to come. He has had some drop issues and is a very raw route runner, but the same things were said about KB, and that got him over 1000 yards as a rookie. I personally see him as a slightly better Sammie Coates, with some polish Perriman could become a dominate target. Drafttek’s mock has him going #26 to Baltimore.

Jaelen Strong, Arizona State

Strong is one of my personal favorites, but I’m not sure I draft him in round one. At 6’2” and what some say are the best hands in the draft, he’s another guy that would be a day 1 starter opposite of KB. Not the strongest route runner, but he can easily improve in that area. Even with the wrist injury, he is one of the safest picks in the draft. Drafttek’s mock has him going #12 to Cleveland, that would be a total Brown’s move. In my opinion he’s more likely to be at #25 than to be drafted in the top 15, but I’ve been wrong before.

Nelson Agholor, Southern California (I know what you’re thinking)

Don’t let some nonsensical stereotype fool you, this guy can play. Just because he played wide receiver at USC doesn't mean a dang thing, the past failures of completely different players doesn't affect his personal ability. That aside, Agholor isn’t a perfect prospect. He lacks speed and height, but he makes up for it with his hands and savvy. He is a technician and gives it his all on every snap. He would be dynamite from the slot and would take the punt return job from Ginn sooner than later. Drafttek’s mock has him going #49 to Kansas City, but some scouts think he could sneak into the first.

By Grant Hughes

Follow Grant on Twitter @KenjonVander