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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Clemson stars dominate

By Brad Weiss

Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) scores a touchdown after braking a tackle by Syracuse Orange cornerback Wayne Morgan (2) during the first quarter in a game at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) scores a touchdown after braking a tackle by Syracuse Orange cornerback Wayne Morgan (2) during the first quarter in a game at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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Leonard Fournette

RB, LSU

During the 2015 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers looked like they were going to be a historic team. The Panthers flirted with a perfect regular season, and once in the playoffs, they rode that No. 1 seed all the way to Super Bowl 50. Unfortunately for Panthers fans, the team did not put up much of a fight, and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was able to ride off into the sunset as a Super Bowl champ for the second time.

Last season, the Panthers got star wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin back from a torn ACL, though the team took a serious step backwards in 2016. Quarterback Cam Newton continues to be an incredible player in the league, but you have to be worried with the amount of hits he takes. The Panthers need to bring in a player who is going to take some pressure off of him, and that person is Leonard Fournette of LSU.

Fournette was a standout player during his time with the Tigers, but some believe he could be an even better pro. The star running back was injured a bit this past season, though even when he was healthy he had some trouble against the better teams. Current starter Jonathan Stewart still has some tread left on the tires, so bringing in Fournette would give the Panthers the kind of tandem they once had when Stewart and DeAngelo Williams were lining up in the backfield together.

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