2011 Cincy Jungle Mock Draft - The Carolina Panthers Select...

With this selection, we'll be kicking off the second-annual Cincy Jungle Mock Draft. James Shively is selecting for the Carolina Panthers, who have only first and third round picks this year after trading their second on draft day last year. Here is his pick...

With the first pick in the 2011 Cincy Jungle Mock Draft, the Carolina Panthers select...

Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn University

I personally don’t follow the Panthers much so I have to give a hat tip to the fellows over at CatchScratchReader for educating me on what this team needs and wants. I picked Fairley because the Panthers have young and upcoming defensive ends named Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson. Actually there is only one defensive end on the roster that hasn’t been drafted by the Panthers. We all know how much we covet our draft picks and their development so adding Bowers to this mix would have seemed like a wasted pick seeing that the team (or at least some of the fans of the team) is confident Hardy and Johnson have possibly developed into full time starters. They seem to have the same vibe about these ends that we do about our "Fisher Price Package".

However there is a bigger glaring need at defensive tackle. It appears that the defensive tackles they’ve been working with are castoff players from other teams. (Ed Johnson, Nick Hayden, Derek Landri, and Andre Neblett) Whom many believe would have a hard time making any other roster in the league other than the Panthers. Adding to that fact, Fairley’s overwhelming talent in the middle would also take more pressure off the young talented defensive ends they have, which would ultimately give them a dominant defensive line. One that some Panther fans believe could be amongst the most elite in the NFL in the near future.

Whether or not Fairley is the most talented defensive tackle or most NFL ready tackle in this draft is debatable. My opinion is that he is and to me this is a no brainer for the Carolina Panthers and the effectiveness of their defensive line. He’s a relentless pass rusher. He amassed twelve sacks in just one year at Auburn. He had five tackles, three behind the line of scrimmage, a sack, and a forced fumble against Oregon in the National title game. Anyone that seen that game would have a hard time arguing against his dominance. People from Auburn would also vouch for his entire body of work throughout the year. Nick Fairley will give the Panthers the most immediate chance of success and will be their selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Nick Fairley Highlights:

Draft Overview: