Fansided

2017 NFL Mock Draft: Bears tap Deshaun Watson

By Brad Weiss

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 32
Next
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 /
8

Leonard Fournette

RB, LSU

In 2015, the Carolina Panthers were the hottest team in football for most of the season. The Panthers made a serious run at an undefeated regular season, and used that momentum to springboard them into a spot in Super Bowl 50. While the Denver Broncos defense proved to be too much for the Panthers in the big game, the team appeared to be destined to be a playoff team for years to come.

Fast forward one season, and the Panthers will pick eighth in the first round, so that is a good indicator of how their season shaped out. The Panthers were one of the more inconsistent teams in the league, and the loss of Josh Norman to the Washington Redskins proved to be too much in the secondary. However, the team is dedicated to getting back atop the NFC South, and this past week, they locked up pass rushing star Mario Addison to a new three-year deal.

With their first round pick, the Panthers should look to bolster the running back position, and Leonard Fournette of LSU is the best player available. Fournette has an NFL-ready body, and he may actually be a better player at the next level. Current Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart is still a productive back, but bringing in Fournette would give the team the kind of production they got when Stewart was teaming with DeAngelo Williams a few years back.

Home/NFL