2014 DBN Mock Draft: Carolina Panthers Select WR Marqise Lee at No. 28

With the 28th pick in the 2014 Dawgs By Nature Community Mock Draft, the Carolina Panthers select...

Marqise Lee, WR, USC

This selection and write-up was made by Jon Stinchcomb:

In this mock, there was quite the run on wide receivers prior to the Panthers finally having their turn. This doesn't come as much of a surprise considering just how highly touted this year's class has been as one of the deepest ever for the WR position. In this scenario, they won't get their pick of the litter, with Brandin Cooks and Odell Beckham gone moments before. But luckily for Carolina however, they still made it just in time before another drop off, at least in my opinion. Here they manage to nab Marqise Lee, not only filling a very desperate need, but also landing a prospect that can easily be argued as one of the best players available, still on the board.

Cam Newton has all of the raw talent and physical ability one could ask for in a quarterback. At this point he's only limited by the threats he has to throw to. And in the NFL, the team is only as good as their QB play. Give him Lee, and he has the potential to post career highs in every category.

It was tempting to go offensive tackle here, with the likes of Zack Martin and Morgan Moses still on the table, but I think Lee simply offers much more for this team, both in immediate impact and likely anchoring a receiving corps for years to come. I'd actually go as far to make the case that the Panthers can't afford not to make a move like this. This is a team last season led in receiving by an aging TE and the 34-year-old Steve Smith, whom was finally released after 13 seasons. Who's left on the roster now? Two more mediocre receivers on the wrong side of 30, Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant. Browns fans reading this may have thought they've seen some of the ugliest receiving corps the league had to offer prior to Josh Gordon's arrival. Well, if Carolina goes into next season without some major upgrades, they could take it to a whole new level.

Picking Lee addresses that right away, and they got him just in time. I'd expect a noticeably explosive impact right way. He can stretch the field, run good routes, and create separation consistently. What he lacks in "ideal" size, he more than makes up for in intelligence, drive and just sheer talent.

I couldn't agree more with the pick. The Panthers gutted their receivers this offseason, and they didn't replace them with anybody significant. Carolina could be taking a couple of receivers in this draft.

The New England Patriots are up next, led by roar888.

2014 DBN Community Mock Draft Results (so far)