Kiper: If Panthers pick first, Fairley is option

[Mooche]

What you see below is what the Top 10 (13, actually, because of tied records) draft order in the NFL draft would look like if we called off the season today. It's also a look at who those teams might pick, based on current evaluations. And really, in some cases, if the rest of the season is merely for evaluating what the top needs are, some coaches might be in favor of simply calling it off today.

Some are just that obvious.

A couple things stick out:

• Of the 13 teams listed here eight, and possibly nine, have unsettled QB situations. That's a good reality for a guy such as Jake Locker, who has dropped on my Board to a possible late-first- or early-second-round value.

• A few teams still have a big need that they probably could have addressed last year (and thus wouldn't be drafting so high). Buffalo and Dallas are obvious, and I'll tell you why.

The draft order below is based on current records. Picks are based on the current Big Board, which as you all know will change a lot as juniors decide on draft entry and the workout process.

1. Carolina Panthers
Top needs: DT, WR, QB
Pick strategy: Carolina is in a really peculiar spot. Right now they really need a dominating interior presence on the D-line, and Auburn's Nick Fairley is an option, but he'd be a bit of a reach. The Panthers also need help at wide receiver, but they're young there with guys like David Gettis and Brandon LaFell (Steve Smith could be elsewhere next year), and they wouldn't likely take A.J. Green at No. 1. Bottom line: It comes down to Andrew Luck. Don't take it as an indictment on Jimmy Clausen, who has struggled as you'd assume a rookie would in this setting, but they could really like their QB and still take Luck. If he's there, he's the guy. If he's not, it's a possible trade down, or perhaps Fairley has worked his way into this range.

I seriously don't know what this dude is smoking.

 

[DannyColtsBro]

This is the same dude that said JaMarcus Russell is, "John Elway like". So its w/e.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

Good take Fairley.

 

[.GR]

I don't care who your QB is, Luck will be better than him...

 

[DJT]

I really don't see them taking Fairley.

 

[kam.]

Luck to Carolina isn't a sure thing, Luck might not even come out still. Although the Panthers do have alot of needs and a QB being one of them. I don't see them taking Luck, he just doesn't fit to the Panthers IMO. Fairley seems like a good match, they need Dline pretty bad. Clausen had a rough rookie year, but lets be real.. it was his Rookie year.

 

[elcheato]

They need a QB really badly since Clausen sucks

 

[kam.]

They need a QB really badly since Clausen sucks

How does he suck? not every rookie QB comes out and flashes and pulls a Ben Roethlisberger or Mark Sanchez. Clausen should have sat his rookie year behind a well experienced QB and let the NFL slow down for him. He was thrown into the fire it also doesn't help his confidence that everyweek Steve Smith is calling him out in the media.. Clausen will be decent.. just needs time.

 

[Dorado]

They need a QB really badly since Clausen sucks

This.

I feel uber retarded for thinking and praising Clausen as our franchise QB when he got drafted.

 

[kam.]

SMFH

 

[Dorado]

SMFH

lol what happened to you bashing Clausen at BSX?

 

[kam.]

QFT

Only for the fact that people are really going to call out a ROOKIE QB on a terrible team. Didn't have the talent that all the other Rookie QBs that has done well has had. Give me a damn break.

 

[Falcons11497]

NO EXCUSE....RYAN, FLACCO, AND SANCHEZ DID IT..BRADFORD'S DOIN IT...WHY CANT CLAUSEN GET ON THE SAME PAGE????





jus kiddin