Mock NFL Draft 2012: Carolina’s Picks

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December 18, 2011; Houston, TX, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) scrambles for yards in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

There are rumors of a trade in the works between Cleveland and Carolina. Cleveland, having failed at trading up to get RGIII, now directs their attention toward their other weak position, which is running back after having failed to re-sign Peyton Hillis. So I’ll attempt to take us through potential picks in rounds 1 thru 7.

Round 1.

Pick #4 – Carolina selects Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma State via a trade with Cleveland (sending Jonathan Stewart and the 9th pick to Cleveland for the 4th pick and Cleveland’s 3rd round pick #68.) Consideration would be given to selecting Morris Clairborne CB LSU, but Blackmon is too good to pass on.

Round 2.

Pick #40 – Carolina selects Brandon Boykin CB/KR Georgia. Fast 4.45 at the combine. Great leaping ability and big-time return capabilities.

Round 3.

Pick #68 – Carolina selects Chandler Jones DE Syracuse via trade with Cleveland. 6.5 270lbs. 4.75 at the combine. Compared to Pierre, now with the Giants.

Round 4.

Pick #104 – Carolina selects Mychal Kendricks OLB California. 6.0 237lbs, 4.70 at the combine. Can play either inside or outside. Followed with 2 great years after coming off a knee injury in 2009 that kept him out most of that year.

Round 5.

Pick #135 –Carolina selects Josh Norman CB Coastal Carolina. 6.0 203lbs, 4.50 at the combine. Small college player with good size and speed. Held his own in All-Star games and excelled at the combine.

Round 6.

Pick #169 – Carolina selects Amini Silatolu OG/OT Midwestern State. 6.3 312lbs. 5.36 speed. Small college player who is raw, but is very much an up-tempo type. Dominant at his level. Played both OG and LOT during his career.

Round 7.

Pick #199 – Carolina selects Drew Butler P Georgia. With the release of Jason Baker, Butler is the best punter in the draft. His Dad is a former NFL player.