Saturday Blitz
Fansided

2019 NFL Mock Draft: How high will Kyler Murray go in projected first round?

By John Mitchell

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners walks off the field after the game against the Army Black Knights at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Black Knights 28-21 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners walks off the field after the game against the Army Black Knights at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Black Knights 28-21 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
17 of 33
Next
(Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
(Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /

DT. Mississippi State. Jeffery Simmons. 16. player. 87.

Carolina has a number of needs at each level of their defense, and should probably look at grabbing the best player available on that side of the ball with this selection.

Jeffery Simmons has character concerns, and will be made to answer for his arrest for domestic violence in 2016.

If teams are comfortable with the off-field issues, Simmons is undeniably a first round talent with a load of potential to be a different maker in the middle of a defense. He hasn’t shown much in the way of a pass rushing ability from the inside, but he’s lived in opposing backfields in the SEC against the run. He was dominant as a junior in Starkville producing 18 tackles-for-loss to pace one of the nation’s best defenses.

Carolina could also use this pick on a couple of other defensive prospects who make a lot of sense.

First, there’s Michigan linebacker Devin Bush who could be a nice fit to slide in and replace Thomas Davis. Bush could team with Luke Kuechly and give the Panthers a feared duo at linebacker.

They could also look at Alabama safety Deionte Thompson to help improve a secondary that ranked 23rd in the NFL in yards per pass attempt given up.

A pass rusher is probably their most pressing need, but selecting one here, regardless of who they settled on, would probably be too much of a reach at this point. Florida State’s Brian Burns and Louisiana Tech’s Jaylon Ferguson will be seriously considered, though.

Home/NFL Draft