Fansided

2017 NFL Mock Draft: Dalvin Cook makes his case

By Brad Weiss

Nov 19, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) carries the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) carries the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 32
Next
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. 8

The incredible slide from Super Bowl participant to picking in the top-10 of the following draft continued this past Sunday, as the Carolina Panthers lost a tough one to the Oakland Raiders. Quarterback Cam Newton played very well in the game, but the team was not able to muster much on the ground. While Jonathan Stewart is still very good in short yardage situations, the team needs a new feature back, and that player could be Leonard Fournette.

Fournette has been a beast during his time with the LSU Tigers, and will likely be gone after the season ends. He has had to battle some injuries this season, which has cost him a couple of starts along the way. He is as NFL-ready a back as we have seen in some time, and the Panthers would be able to use him so well alongside Newton in the Panthers offense.

Carolina is very close to being a dominating team once again, and adding a feature back for Newton would extend his career a bit. Newton has been asked to make the big run on numerous occasions this season, and the hits are starting to take a toll. Running back is a need in Carolina, and if they can grab Fournette, the young offensive core of Newton, Fournette, and Kelvin Benjamin would be one of the better three-headed monsters in the NFC.

Home/NFL Mock Draft