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2017 NFL Mock Draft: First-round projections after first bowl weekend

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs past Mississippi Rebels linebacker DeMarquis Gates (3) during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs past Mississippi Rebels linebacker DeMarquis Gates (3) during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

87. . RB. LSU. Leonard Fournette. 7. player

The Carolina Panthers are having one of the worst letdown seasons in recent memory. One season after Cam Newton won the MVP and led the Panthers to the Super Bowl, losing to Denver, Carolina has gone 5-8 through its first 13 games, getting eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday.

Jonathan Stewart has been a consistent running back throughout his career, but his performance in 2016 was a clear indication that his best years are behind him. He’s rushed for just 577 yards and eight touchdowns on 3.6 yards per carry. He’s set to turn 30 in March, and that’s about the average shelf life of a quality NFL running back.

Fozzy Whittaker is a solid backup but isn’t exactly starting material and the Panthers selected Cameron Artis-Payne in 2015’s fifth-round, but he is also far from starting. Why not draft the best running back available in this class?

The Panthers could use some help on the offensive line as well as maybe a defensive end, but if Leonard Fournette is available when it’s their turn to pick, they could entertain the idea of picking the LSU superstar.

Although Fournette is holding himself out of LSU’s bowl game to get ready for the NFL, it’s likely more about staying healthy since he’s had a tough time of doing just that in 2016. Still, Fournette is this class’ version of Ezekiel Elliott and that should be music to the Panthers’ ears.

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