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2017 NFL Mock Draft, Week 12: Watson, Kizer loom

By Brad Weiss

Nov 19, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Mike Williams (7) runs after a catch in the first quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Mike Williams (7) runs after a catch in the first quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs during the first quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs during the first quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 87. . RB. LSU. Leonard Fournette. 7

The Carolina Panthers were the darlings of the NFL last season, riding a 15-1 regular season into a berth in the Super Bowl. However, the 2016 season has been quite a disappointment, and the team is slated to pick in the first ten selections of next April’s draft. There are plenty of talented pieces in place on the roster, but one important position is getting very old.

Quarterback Cam Newton needs help in the backfield, as running back Jonathan Stewart is getting up there in age. He has not cracked the 100 yard mark this season, and the team should look to draft his replacement in the first round. That player should be Leonard Fournette, who is the most NFL-ready of all the running backs in this draft.

Fournette is a bruising back, who has the size to be a dominant player from Day one in the NFL. He also has the speed to run by defenders, and would be a perfect complement to Cam in the Panthers offense. Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin looks fully healthy from his torn ACL from over a year ago, so adding Fournette would give Carolina three very good, young players at their key positions on offense.

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