Brian and I will be putting together a mock draft by alternating picks. I'm up first
1. Carolina Panthers - Da'Quan Bowers - DE Clemson
Bowers is the top pass rusher available in this draft. The Panthers roster is depleted at virtually every position. The Panthers need to start rebuilding. In the NFL there are three marquis positions that define the modern franichise: (1) Quarterback; (2) Left Tackle; and (3) Pass Rushing defensive end or linebacker. It's no secret the modern game is based on passing. The three key players in every pass play are those listed above. With the departure of Julius Peppers the Panthers lost the best overall talent available at this position.
The only other possibility here would have been Fairley from Auburn. Fairley is a player in the Warren Sapp mold which makes him valuable against both the pass and the run. However, defensive tackles can be limited in their impact on the game because they often play a limited number of snaps. As a result using the number one pick on a player that may play only half your defensive snaps is not necessarily a good plan.
The last piece that makes this the smart pick is the possibility of a collective bargaining agreement. If a new CBA is reached then it will almost certainly include a rookie wage scale. The enormous price of the number one draft pick has forced many teams to reach for the best QB available in recent years, regardless of that player's grade. A franchise can only justify paying $50 million guaranteed to the quarterback position. A rookie wage scale means that other positions are more likely to factor into the number one pick. It would also increase the potential to trade the top picks in the draft because with less money invested the top picks would no longer be an all or nothing proposition.
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