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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Can we trust the Cleveland Browns?

By John Buhler

Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) is defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Lashard Durr (25) during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) is defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Lashard Durr (25) during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Leonard Fournette

Running Back, LSU Tigers

The Carolina Panthers are only as good offensively as they are in the running game. Cam Newton is a dynamic, on-field leader with a howitzer for a right arm, but we don’t know where the football is going half the time it leaves his hand. He’s a great player, but may never be a precise passer at the quarterback position.

For that reason, the ground game is so instrumental to the Panthers’ team success. Their mantra is “Keep Pounding” for a reason. Drafting a running back in the first round used to be taboo a few years ago. Now that trend is back in vogue. Look for Carolina to take the most physical runner at No. 8 in Leonard Fournette out of LSU.

Fournette will be a bettering ram in the NFL. He is a bruiser running up the middle and has a great second gear when he breaks a few tackles in the second layer of a team’s defense. That being said, he’s a tad block-handed and may not be a serviceable pass catcher at the next level.

Nevertheless, Fournette could be in the vein of an Adrian Peterson for his first few years in the league. Fournette having Peterson’s longevity would be a huge get for the Panthers. At minimum, Fournette should have enough in the tank to be an explosive power back in the NFL for the next five or six years, possibly getting Carolina to a third Super Bowl by the end of the decade.

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