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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Browns select another QB No. 1

By Brad Weiss

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 26: USC (14) Sam Darnold (QB) throws under pressure from Notre Dame (23) Drue Tranquill (S) during an NCAA football game between Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the USC Trojans on November 26, 2016, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on in Los Angeles, CA. USC defeated Notre Dame 45-27. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 26: USC (14) Sam Darnold (QB) throws under pressure from Notre Dame (23) Drue Tranquill (S) during an NCAA football game between Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the USC Trojans on November 26, 2016, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on in Los Angeles, CA. USC defeated Notre Dame 45-27. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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STARKVILLE, MS – NOVEMBER 19: Mississippi State Bulldogs offensive lineman Martinas Rankin (55) during the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Mississippi State Bulldogs on November 19, 2016. Arkansas defeated Mississippi State by the score of 58-42 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, MS. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS – NOVEMBER 19: Mississippi State Bulldogs offensive lineman Martinas Rankin (55) during the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Mississippi State Bulldogs on November 19, 2016. Arkansas defeated Mississippi State by the score of 58-42 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, MS. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Martinas Rankin

Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State

The Carolina Panthers have had an up and down season in 2017, as they look so good one week, and then extremely bad the next. Case in point was Week 7 when they went into Chicago and laid an egg against the Bears. The offense struggled to do anything, and it is clear that Cam Newton is still working out the kinks after offseason surgery.

When the draft season rolls around next spring, the Panthers should look to bolster their offensive line. Over at Mississippi State, Martinas Rankin is one of the better offensive line prospects in this draft, and the Panthers could certainly use help at tackle. Rankin may not stay on the left side at the next level, but he is a guy who could be a starter along the Panthers offensive line as a rookie.

The Panthers only will go as far as Newton will take them, and he has taken a beating during his NFL career. When he is getting protection, he can dominate the league, as we saw in his MVP season in 2016. Carolina is trying to become a perennial playoff contender, but if they cannot keep their star quarterback upright, it is going to be really hard to be competitive in the NFC South year in and year out.

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