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NFL mock draft: Don’t mess with Texas

By Brad Weiss

Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (18) reacts after running the ball during the third quarter against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (18) reacts after running the ball during the third quarter against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
18

Taylor Gabriel

Wide Receiver, Dallas, Texas

The Carolina Panthers were the darling of the NFL back in 2015, as an MVP season by quarterback Cam Newton propelled the franchise to the Super Bowl. However, they took a major step back in 2016, and Newton was injured towards the end of the season. During the offseason, Newton had surgery on his shoulder, and while he played better in 2017, the team failed to make the playoffs for the second straight season.

One bright spot on the team was Kelvin Benjamin, who kept himself in shape throughout the year. With pick No. 18, the Panthers will add some more depth to the wide receiver group, bringing in Taylor Gabriel from the Atlanta Falcons. Gabriel had a breakout season for the Falcons back in 2016, and helped the team to reach the Divisional Round again in 2017.

With Gabriel and Benjamin at wide receiver, Newton now finds himself with some serious weapons on the outside. Tight end Greg Olsen is still one of the better players in the league at his position, and running back Christian McCaffrey was as good as advertised during his rookie season in 2017. Look for this offense to be explosive during the 2018 season.

Like every team, the goal for the 2018 panthers has got to be getting back to the playoffs. Newton is way too good a quarterback to spend so many years of his prime on the outside looking in. If Gabriel can produce like he did in Atlanta, the Panthers will have a nice new wrinkle to work with in their offense.

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