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2015 NFL Draft: Carolina Panthers Pre-Combine Seven-Round Mock

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2015 NFL Draft: Carolina Panthers Pre-Combine Seven-Round Mock

Cam Newton Panthers — With just seven wins, the Carolina Panthers won the NFC South. After dispatching the Arizona Cardinals in the first round, the team fell to the eventual NFC champion Seattle Seahawks. Even after the addition of Kelvin Benjamin in the 2014 draft, Cam Newton still needs better receivers. The Panthers are close, but still have a few holes to fill before they can make a deep playoff run. Here's how the team can improve through the draft.

With just seven wins, the Carolina Panthers won the NFC South. After dispatching the Arizona Cardinals in the first round, the team fell to the eventual NFC champion Seattle Seahawks. Even after the addition of Kelvin Benjamin in the 2014 draft, Cam Newton still needs better receivers. The Panthers are close, but still have a few holes to fill before they can make a deep playoff run. Here's how the team can improve through the draft.

Round 1: Dorial Green-Beckham (WR-Oklahoma)

Round 1: Dorial Green-Beckham (WR-Oklahoma)

Dorial Green-Beckham is the perfect fit to start opposite Kelvin Benjamin. He has an outstanding combination of size and speed and would potentially be the first WR drafted if not for the red flags away from the field. Several teams won't even have Green-Beckham on the board, but with the 25th pick in the draft, the Panthers could do a lot worse. Carolina has a solid corps of veteran leaders and an experienced coach to keep Green-Beckham in line.

Round 2: Jake Fisher (OT-Oregon)

Round 2: Jake Fisher (OT-Oregon)

The Panthers would be wise to move on from both starting tackles. Left tackle Byron Bell and right tackle Mike Remmers were possibly the worst pair of tackles in the NFL last season. Although he played some left tackle at Oregon, Jake Fisher will be a right tackle in the NFL. Having blocked for Marcus Mariota, Fisher knows the importance of sustaining his block for a mobile QB. He will need to add strength so he's not overmatched by bull rushers.

Round 3: Trey Flowers (DE-Arkansas)

Round 3: Trey Flowers (DE-Arkansas)

Without Greg Hardy, the Panthers struggled to sack the quarterback in 2014. The team finished with 20 fewer sacks in 2014 than 2013. While it wouldn't be a surprise if Carolina filled this need in Round 1, Trey Flowers is the best option at this point in the draft. He's not someone who will amass double-digit sack totals every year, but he's an upgrade over Wes Horton and Mario Addison.

Round 4: Doran Grant (CB-Ohio State)

Round 4: Doran Grant (CB-Ohio State)

Starting corners Josh Norman and Bene Benwikere played well down the stretch last year, but the team lacks depth behind them. Doran Grant would be an ideal No. 3 CB and special teams player. He had success in coverage against receivers such as Amari Cooper and Devin Funchess, but lacks consistency. Gaining experience as a nickel corner before transitioning to the outside is vital to Grant's success in the NFL.

Round 5: Max Valles (OLB-Virginia)

Round 5: Max Valles (OLB-Virginia)

In what was one of the biggest surprises among early entrants, Max Valles decided to leave Virginia after his sophomore season. He showed potential, but there's a lot of unknowns in his game. Playing alongside Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly would be the best scenario for Valles. If the Panthers don't bring back Chase Blackburn, Valles would battle A.J. Klein for reps on the outside.

Round 6: Derrick Lott (DT-Chattanooga)

Round 6: Derrick Lott (DT-Chattanooga)

This pick is all about adding depth on the defensive line. Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei are expected to be the starters next season, but reserves Colin Cole and Dwan Edwards are both free agents. After rarely playing at Georgia, Lott transferred to Chattanooga and made an immediate impact. He easily overpowered interior linemen at the FCS level and had similar success against FBS players in the East-West Shrine Game.

Round 7: Jon Feliciano (G-Miami)

Round 7: Jon Feliciano (G-Miami)

Jon Feliciano has experience at both tackle and guard, but will strictly be a guard at the next level. On several of RB Duke Johnson's big runs, it was Feliciano making the block that opened the running lane. His pass blocking needs a lot of work, and this is why he's still on the board in Round 7 here. If he can improve his technique, he may become a starter down the road. For now, he would provide depth behind Andrew Norwell and Trai Turner.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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Carolina Panthers

Shawn Spencer is a writer for RantSports.

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