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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Deep in Defensive Players

By Carl Cockerham

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) and defensive lineman Reggie Chevis (13) celebrate a defensive stop against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) and defensive lineman Reggie Chevis (13) celebrate a defensive stop against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs the ball in the second quarter as Mississippi Rebels linebacker Tayler Polk (24) defends at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs the ball in the second quarter as Mississippi Rebels linebacker Tayler Polk (24) defends at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

9. player. 87. The Carolina Panthers are at their best when they can run the ball and play defense. The Panthers defense got to a slow start this year as they had a few youngsters replacing established players. But it looks like they’re coming on now and it will carry into next year. <p>QB Cam Newton running along with a good RB really makes the Panthers running game work. And that makes the vertical game they have more effective, creating a complete offense. That’s why the Panthers had such a good total offense last year but this year, not so much.</p><div class=. RB. Florida State. Dalvin Cook

The Panthers went from the No. 2 rushing team in the NFL to No. 12 with one game left this season. RB Jonathan Stewart is averaging just 3.8 yards per carry so he no longer sets Newton up. A good RB sets up a QB running the ball out of bootlegs and the spread offense.

So the Panthers take RB Dalvin Cook out of Florida State and to get that going again. Those two together could end up like Vince Young and Chris Johnson back in the day, full of breakaway runs. The Panthers should then be a strong competitor for the NFC North in 2017.

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9

Dalvin Cook

RB, Florida State

Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers /

The Carolina Panthers are at their best when they can run the ball and play defense. The Panthers defense got to a slow start this year as they had a few youngsters replacing established players. But it looks like they’re coming on now and it will carry into next year.

QB Cam Newton running along with a good RB really makes the Panthers running game work. And that makes the vertical game they have more effective, creating a complete offense. That’s why the Panthers had such a good total offense last year but this year, not so much.

The Panthers went from the No. 2 rushing team in the NFL to No. 12 with one game left this season. RB Jonathan Stewart is averaging just 3.8 yards per carry so he no longer sets Newton up. A good RB sets up a QB running the ball out of bootlegs and the spread offense.

So the Panthers take RB Dalvin Cook out of Florida State and to get that going again. Those two together could end up like Vince Young and Chris Johnson back in the day, full of breakaway runs. The Panthers should then be a strong competitor for the NFC North in 2017.

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