2015 NFL Draft: Pick By Pick Mock With Carolina Panthers At No. 10
The pick-by-pick mock of the 2015 NFL Draft continues and we’re closing out the top-10.
A quick update of the picks so far: Leonard Williams (DE/DT, Southern Cal) was picked first by the Oakland Raiders; Marcus Mariota (QB, Oregon) was picked second by the New York Jets; Cedric Ogbuehi (OT, Texas A&M) was picked third by the Jacksonville Jaguars; Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama) was picked fourth by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Jameis Winston (QB, FSU) was picked fifth by the St. Louis Rams; Randy Gregory (DE/OLB, Nebraska) was picked sixth by the Tennessee Titans; Vic Beasley (OLB, Clemson) was picked seventh by the Atlanta Falcons; Shawn Oakman (DE, Baylor) was taken eighth by the Washington Redskins and the Minnesota Vikings took Andrus Peat (OT, Stanford) ninth.
Who do the Carolina Panthers take at no. 10?
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa.
The Panthers could go in a variety of directions with this pick considering their needs. The secondary could use some help, especially if rookie DB’s Bene’ Benwikere and Tre Boston struggle in their increased roles moving forward, but the former actually hasn’t looked too bad so far. An elite young pass rushing DE like Shane Ray (Mizzou) would be awfully enticing here as well considering how terribly the Panthers ends have played thus far and that Greg Hardy is likely gone after this year. And WR could continue to use some help as only rookie Kelvin Benjamin looks like he has a long term future in Charlotte.
All of these areas could use some help, but no area needs help more than on the edges of the offensive line at OT.
Many found it jaw-dropping last May when the Panthers went a full seven rounds in the 2014 NFL Draft without selecting an OT, especially considering franchise stalwart Jordan Gross was retiring. Instead, they were taking a risk by going with unproven guys like Byron Bell and Nate Chandler, each of whom went undrafted a few years ago. That’s a major risk considering those would be the guys protecting franchise QB Cam Newton.
Well, the Panthers plan has blown up in their faces, as most expected. Chandler and Bell have graded out as the worst pair of OT’s in the league by far. Bell has been graded out as the third worst in the league by one well known stat site and Chandler as the seventh worst. The two have combined to give up 9 sacks and 39 hurries through the first half of the season, simply awful numbers.
Scherff is a stud with tremendous strength and athleticism. He’s an absolute monster in the run game and is continuing to develop in pass pro. He gives a powerful punch and regularly gets good hand placement, and never stops his feet. Right now he’s best suited for the right side of the line but absolutely has the skill set to eventually flip over and play the blindside. The 22nd ranked passing attack and 27th ranked rushing attack would both benefit considerably by adding a talent like him to the edges up front, and you know Newton would appreciate it as well.
Rick Stavig is an NFL Draft Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @rickstavig or add him to your network on Google+.
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