With The First Pick
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2017 NFL Mock Draft: New Sheriff in Town at No. 1

By Carl Cockerham

Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) returns a fumble for a touchdown against the Texas A&M Aggies during the third quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) returns a fumble for a touchdown against the Texas A&M Aggies during the third quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) carries the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) carries the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Leonard Fournette. 6. player. 87. The Carolina Panthers went to the Super Bowl last year running the ball and playing defense. The defense is starting to come back around of late but RB Jonathan Stewart isn’t. And the Panthers don’t need to depend on QB Cam Newton to run the ball. <p>A great RB can come in and give the Panthers the running game they need to rest the defense. He can also suck eight men into the box and open up the vertical game down the field. The defense could take the Panthers up the standings but this is where they would pick now.</p> <p>And if they are here at No. 6 overall at the end of the season, they go with RB Leonard Fournette if available. Fournette is elusive, swift and physical and the physicality would inspire the defense. His production would give that defense more of a chance to rest.</p> <p>It would also set Newton up to go downfield to Kelvin Benjamin, his favorite target, who’s back now. He would also take some of the attention away from Newton in the running game. Drafting a guy like Fournette would help the Panthers move up the standings, on top of the NFC South.</p>. RB. LSU

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