Meet The 2015 Carolina Panther Draft Picks According To Mel Mayock
I, Mel Mayock, am the lead Panthers Analyst for Draftek.com and their latest 2015 Mock Draft is out. You can see it all here: http://www.drafttek.com/2015-NFL-Mock-Draft-Round1.asp. But I'm taking this opportunity to show you a little more on the two guys I've selected to be a part of the 2015 Panthers. This Draft has us projected to Pick 10th overall in the 1st Round and 42nd in the 2nd Round. As I research those available, I focus on talent over need. Those that only focus on need will rarely find elite talent. However, need does come into play when two prospects are relatively close in talent. For example, if there is an elite talent at a position of need and an elite talent at one that is not, the position of need will get the nod.
I see the biggest needs for the Panthers are LOT, ROT, CB, DE, WR and RB in that order. But at Pick 10, one would be reaching to take a Tackle. Top names like Cedric Ogbuehi and Brandon Scherff will be gone and is a bit early for Andrus Peat and La'el Collins (both are players I like but aren't "elite").
With the 10th Pick I have selected the most talented CB in the Draft. Not perfect size at 5'10/195, but he would start immediately and would change how we are able to defend our opponents. This All-American Senior out of Oregon has 9 career interceptions all while opponents tend to avoid him. He also returns punts, which the Panthers need. Check out this highlight clip and imagine him shutting down Julio Jones and Brandin Cooks for years to come.
Next up with the 42nd Pick, I had a touch choice. La'el Collins (whom I liked and previously played beside current Panther Trai Turner) was there, as was WR LeVante Parker out of Louisville who would be an awesome partner to Benjamin. But when push came to shove, I had to take the 6'5/315 Lbs. LOT out of Baylor. Spencer Drango is a top 15 talent that is only available at 42 because he ruptured a disc in his back last year. But Doctors have cleared him and say he is good to go with no long term worries. Look for this guy to be the second coming of Jordan Gross as he is quite mobile and rangy. Get to know him a little here:
Panther Nation we have a long ways to go between now and the Draft. But these two guys would really go a long way to curing what is wrong with our team. Follow me on Twitter at @PanthersDrafter for more ongoing Draft discussion.
Keep Pounding-
Erin Ford
AKA Mel Mayock