Calvin Ridley: Panthers mock draft pick

A new mock draft has the Carolina Panthers taking a wide receiver at No. 24…

Another day, another mock draft has come to surface. Thursday, CBSSports.com released their latest first-round mock draft with the actual event just three weeks away.

At No. 24, Pete Prisco has the Carolina Panthers taking Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley. As he notes, Ridley would be taken due to the deep threat he offers an offense.

"At some point, they have to get a real threat outside for Cam Newton. Ridley would be that guy."

I am not sure I agree with Prisco’s full assessment here. I do agree that Ridley is an outside threat. He is one of the top outside threat receivers in this draft. However, the Panthers should use their first-round pick on the defensive side of the ball.

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Ridley caught 63 passes for 967 yards and five touchdowns last year for the Crimson Tide.

It is worth noting Stanford safety Justin Reid’s name has been coming up in many mock drafts. In March, it was reported he would visit the Panthers this month. Reid would make more sense at No 24. Although Ridley would certainly be a nice addition to the team, the Panthers have a pressing need at safety. Especially with the loss of Kurt Coleman to the New Orleans Saints, the Panthers need to fill the position with depth.

The fact that the team acquired Da’Norris Searcy in the offseason was crucial as Searcy brings stability to the position. However Mike Adams is getting older and with the amount of athleticism and potential Reid has, it would be difficult to pass on him if he is available. The Panthers already have a bunch of wide receivers and with the acquisitions of Torrey Smith and Jarius Wright in the offseason, adding another wideout does not make sense at this time.

Next: Kerryon Johnson: Panthers mock draft pick

As more mock drafts come in the next few days, it will be interesting to see what the pundits have the Carolina Panthers doing. These drafts do not mean much in the grand scheme of things, but they do give an idea of what the Panthers needs are as draft day approaches.