2012 NFL Mock Draft: Carolina Panthers Full 7-Round Predictions

The Panthers' 2011 draft was a hit, and it clearly paid dividends this season.

Quarterback Cam Newton is on pace to win the league's Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and third-round picks Sione Fua and Terrell McClain were up and down as starters on the interior defensive line. 

What completes that draft class and the Panthers' better draft classes from the past is the work done in the later rounds. Fourth-round pick Brandon Hogan played very well when he came back from injury, and fifth-round receiver Kealoha Pilares has established himself as a solid kick returner. 

Carolina will have to draft well again this season if they plan to maintain their upward trend.

Read on for a seven-round Panthers mock draft. 

Round 1 (Pick 10): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

What He Does Well

Kirkpatrick is the top cornerback on my board—and for good reason.

He has great size and athleticism that give him potential to be an impact player. 

Kirkpatrick presses extremely well and can take an opponent's top receiver out of the game in man coverage. He routinely dominates when he's focused and healthy. 

How He Fits in Carolina

Kirkpatrick would fit very well in Carolina because he's well-versed in man and zone coverage.

The Panthers currently lack a corner who can match up with physical, possession receivers, and the Alabama product would be the man to fill that void. 

Round 2 (Pick 42): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

What He Does Well

Poe may not have an intimidating name, but when he's on the field, there may be no defensive tackle that's scarier to face.

He combines his 6'5", 350-pound frame with excellent mobility, making him one of the more challenging players to block in college football. 

Poe is a player who can demand a double team due to his massive size, but he moves well laterally and can pursue the ball well for a player of his stature. 

How He Fits in Carolina

Poe is not strong enough in the run game to be drafted highly as a nose tackle, which makes it likely that he'll be on the board when the Panthers draft in the second round. 

In Carolina, the Memphis product would be an immediate starter.

His game is advanced enough that he would be an upgrade over Sione Fua and Terrell McClain. He'd likely be a two-down player for now until he becomes a more polished pass-rusher. 

Round 4 (Pick 105): TJ Graham, WR, NC State

What He Does Well

Graham is not an excellent route runner, but his long speed can make him a very good deep threat for any NFL team.

His hands have improved so drastically over the past season that he's become close to a sure thing when he's given a chance on a deep ball. 

Graham is also a fantastic returner, and before injury and a suspension slowed him down, he was leading the country in all-purpose yardage. 

How He Fits in Carolina

The Panthers already have a deep group of receivers, but adding another talented deep threat for the rocket-armed Cam Newton can't hurt.

Graham would find himself in a position to play in some 3rd-and-long packages on offense. 

However, Graham would make his biggest impact in the return game. As a rookie, he'd already be the fastest player on the Panthers' team and has the vision and elusiveness to make him one of the league's best punt and kick returners. 

Round 5 (Pick 137): Brandon Mosley, OT, Auburn

What He Does Well

Mosley is a solid all-around player who draws the question "What doesn't he do well?" more frequently than the former.

He has long arms, and although he needs to develop an NFL body, he has enough tenacity in the run game to be very effective at this point. 

How He Fits in Carolina

The Panthers' current offensive line ranks among the NFL's best when healthy, but there lies a glaring hole at right tackle, and they currently lack a future replacement for Jordan Gross.

Mosley could be the Panthers' future at left tackle if needed to be, but he would be more suited to play on the right side. He is a great run blocker, but needs work in pass protection.

However, he has great potential due to his combination of length and agility. 

Round 6 (Pick 169): Armond Armstead, DT, USC

What He Does Well

You aren't going to find many Pro Bowl players in the sixth round, but if you look hard enough, you can find players who can make an impact on your team.

Armstead is that type of player and will likely last until the sixth round or later. 

Armstead missed the 2011 season due to an undisclosed illness that led to a medical redshirt, but he remains a very talented player and a guy who can make an impact as a pass-rusher from the interior defensive line. 

How He Fits in Carolina

The Panthers already found their run-stuffing defensive tackle with Dontari Poe, but grabbing another talented player who can rush the passer on third down would be a great addition. 

Armstead could also bump down and play defensive end in the 3-4 scheme that the Panthers occasionally utilize.

These factors would make the USC defensive lineman a smart pick if he does declare for the draft. 

Round 7 (Pick 201): Darius Fleming, OLB, Notre Dame

What He Does Well

Fleming is not an overwhelming talent, but he is a player that is overlooked at times and succeeds in nearly every facet of the game. 

A disruptive blitzer, Fleming has totaled 15 sacks in his career and 5.5 in his first season as a starter in 2010.

He's also an unselfish linebacker who plays within the scheme and is always willing to take on a lead blocker in order to blow up a play. 

How He Fits in Carolina

The Panthers learned their lesson this season when week after week their linebackers fell to countless injuries.

It will be important for them to add depth through the draft to prevent another shortage on healthy options at the position. 

Fleming plays solid zone coverage and would make an impact as a third-down pass-rusher. Avoiding man-to-man situations would be a must, but there's no doubt that Fleming would allow Carolina some flexibility in third-down situations.