2011 NFL Mock Draft: McShay Makes Splash with Marcell Dareus at No. 1

Carolina Grabs a Defensive Lineman In McShay's Latest Mock

Quite simply, this team should trade out of this spot if they can.

If they don't, I think a quarterback has to be the pick.

They have so many needs before they are competitive again that their best case scenario is to get away from this pick but the only franchise altering prospects will likely be at quarterback.

Todd McShay talks about it writing:

"I would think long and hard about passing on Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert with this pick, but general manager Marty Hurney drafted Jimmy Clausen last year and signed Matt Moore in 2007 so there might not be as much support in Carolina for drafting a quarterback as there's rumored to be. Dareus, CB Patrick Peterson and OLB Von Miller are the cleanest of the elite prospects in the 2011 class and defensive tackle is Carolina's top need so Dareus appears to be the most logical choice with his size, quickness and versatility."

The Panthers could certainly take Peterson (No. 1 player on the board in my opinion) and really cannot miss on him.

Unfortunately, even with a new CBA, I think No. 1 is too high for a cornerback when you have other big needs as well.

Carolina does not have a second round pick so they have to strike gold here no matter what they do.

New coach Ron Rivera is a defensive minded guy that will be looking to bring the pressure any way he can, but he also knows that the most important position on the field is under center.

Marcell Dareus is an awesome prospect, in fact, I think he is the best defensive lineman available.

He has tremendous lateral quickness, is a versatile enough to play inside or outside and can still get even better.

This pick is still way up in the air but the Panthers need to figure it out soon.

1. Carolina: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama 2. Denver: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M  3. Buffalo: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri  4. Cincinnati: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia	17. New England (via OAK): J.J. Watt, DE, Wisc.  18. San Diego: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple  19. New York Giants: Mike Pouncey, OG/C, Florida 20. Tampa Bay: Cameron Jordan, DE, California
5. Arizona: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn  6. Cleveland: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson  7. San Francisco: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU  8. Tennessee: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn	21. Kansas City: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin  22. Indianapolis: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado  23. Philadelphia: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA  24. New Orleans: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
9. Dallas: Tyron Smith, OT, USC  10. Washington: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama  11. Houston: Robert Quinn, DE/OB, UNC  12. Minnesota: Anthony Castonzo, OT, BC	25. Seattle: Jake Locker, QB, Washington  26. Baltimore: Cam Heyward, DE, Ohio State  27. Atlanta: Justin Houston, DE, Georgia  28. New England: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
13. Detroit: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska  14. St. Louis: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois  15. Miami: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama  16. Jacksonville: Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri	29. Chicago: Derek Sherrod, OT, Miss. St  30. New York Jets: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor  31. Pittsburgh: Orlando Franklin, OG, Miami  32. Green Bay: Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona

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Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/639258-2011-nfl-mock-draft-todd-mcshay-mock-40-pick-by-pick-critique/entry/54537-2011-nfl-mock-draft-mcshay-makes-splash-with-marcell-dareus-at-no-1

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