2011 Carolina Panthers NFL Mock Draft: All 7 Rounds

The Carolina Panthers will enter a rebuilding phase this offseason after firing coach John Fox and his staff. Thankfully, they have the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

The 2011 draft figures to feature a very deep class of players at quarterback, wide receiver and defensive end—three positions of need for Carolina. How will the draft play out for the Panthers?

After a draft-day trade in 2010, the Panthers currently hold only six total selections in the 2011 draft order. This not only means fewer new bodies on the roster; it also means the Panthers cannot afford to miss on any draft picks.

With four months to go before the draft kicks off, we take a look at what the Carolina Panthers' 2011 NFL Draft will look like.

Round 1, Pick 1: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal ellude Jack Tyler #58 of the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. STanford won 40-12. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Ge

This will be a no-brainer for the Panthers' decision makers as long as Luck enters the draft. Let's talk about what happens if Luck does not enter. 

Carolina has legitimate needs along the defensive line and even at wide receiver that can be addressed here. Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green is a real possibility with the first overall pick in an Andrew Luck-less draft.

Another strong possibility would be Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers or Alabama defensive tackle/end Marcell Dareus.

Bowers is a traditional 4-3 right end. He brings elite speed (4.6 in the 40-yard dash) and strength to the position. He is a consistent performer and would make an immediate impact for the Panthers defense.

Dareus, on the other hand, is a 3-4 defensive end for Alabama who could move inside to play tackle in Carolina. He has a great initial burst, good hand usage and the strength to disengage or run over blockers. There are some concerns about his work ethic and motivation, but anyone who saw him dominate Michigan State's offensive line should come away impressed.

Round 3, Pick 65: Jerrell Powe, DT, Mississippi

The Panthers traded their second-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft to New England during the 2010 draft in order to move up and select WR Armanti Edwards.

In Round 3 Carolina must address the defensive line. There is youth at defensive end with Everette Brown, Greg Hardy and Eric Norwood. Carolina will give the trio a chance to develop into a dominating pass rushing group. To compete in the NFC South, defense is the key. 

The Panthers' focus in this draft, and future classes, will be stopping Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Josh Freeman.

Powe is a run stopper first and foremost, but he is also quick and able to penetrate the offensive line. Unlike many third-round picks, Powe is ready to start immediately in the NFL.

Round 4, Pick 97: Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State

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LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 06: Wide receiver #2 Austin Pettis of the Boise State Broncos tries to avoid cornerback #21 Rashad Carmichael of the Virginia Tech Hokies at FedExField on September 6, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Imag

Steve Smith is not only aging but also may not be back in 2011. Dwayne Jarrett never lived up to expectations, leaving the team very young at receiver. Brandon LaFell and David Gettis are intriguing, but neither is a No. 1 receiver.

Pettis is a very underrated receiver in the Boise State scheme. Many will look at his production and quickly label him a "system player," but they would be overlooking his speed, size and ability to run very crisp routes. Pettis is a good overall receiver, ready to play in the NFL.

Take a quick look around the NFL, and you will see rookies like Jordan Shipley making a major impact. Pettis has that same ability.

Round 5, Pick 129: Chris Carter, OLB, Fresno State

Speed is needed here. Thomas Davis has been average since entering the league, and an upgrade could be used. Also, Davis is a free agent and may leave Carolina depending on the new coaching staff. 

Carter does not show the tools to start as a rookie, but no fifth-round pick will. What he does bring is toughness, instincts and the experience of playing in a pro system at Fresno State under the great coaching of Pat Hill.

To turn around a 2-14 team you not only need to rebuild the starting lineup, but you must improve your second and third units as well. Carter can step in and contribute as a rookie on special teams and eventually develop into a starter.

Round 6, Pick 161: Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona

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LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 5: Defensive ends Brooks Reed #42 and Ricky Elmore #44 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrate after stopping the USC Trojans on the final play on December 5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. Arizona won 21-17

In Round 6 the Panthers will begin adding depth and taking chances on project players. Defensive end is a position of potential strength, depending on the development of the three young players.

Elmore has some upside as a pass rusher. With 11 sacks in 2010 he led the Pac-10, one year after finishing second with 10.5 sacks. He has good size, decent speed and a great motor. This is the type of player you want on your roster. 

If he can show some of the moves that have made him an All-Pac-10 defensive end, the Panthers will have a steal.

Round 7, Pick 193: Rob Housler, TE, Florida Atlantic

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 17: Rob Housler #81 of the FAU Owls is tackled by Major Wright #21 of the Florida Gators during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 17, 2007 in Gainesville, Florida. The Gators won the game 59-20. (Photo by Sam Gre

Jeff King is a free agent after this year. However, there is a good chance he is re-signed. Whether or not King is on the roster, depth is a need, as is the chance to develop a pass-catching tight end for the future.

Housler is undersized for the position if used as a blocker, but as a receiver he adds value. At 228 pounds he may see a move to fullback, but initially Housler can add depth to the position and help on special teams.

We do not want to make any predictions, but Housler reminds us a lot of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.