Carolina Panthers beat writer Jourdan Rodrique (from the Charlotte Observer) released her first of two mock drafts and I have to say I think it’s pretty good. I admit that when I saw her finish this tweet with ‘…Be gentle’ my first thought was ‘Oh hell no!’ We’ve never hesitated to rag a Panthers beat writer around here before. Yet I’m having a hard time giving her to to much grief for this one. I really like her mix of positions though I’m unsure of the value of the picks in some cases. Be sure to click through and read her full justifications for each pick.

It’s about time for a Carolina Panthers full mock draft. Be gentle: https://t.co/jTZxpqdii3 — Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 5, 2019

No. 16 — Brian Burns, DE, Florida State

I’ve recently warmed to the thought of Burns being the guy for the Panthers after initially thinking he was too light to play defensive end. Yet the Panthers plan to use 3-4 alignments suggests Burns could be perfect for the roll envisioned. There is a good chance he will be available at No. 16.

No. 47 — Chris Lindstrom, OL, Boston College

Even without knowing who is left to select from I like the thought of adding talent to the weakest spot on the offensive line at the moment, left guard. I am all about getting your five best lineman on the field at the same time. Plus there are still plenty of picks left to get an offensive tackle.

No. 77 — Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia

It’s hard to argue with the need for a safety to pair with Eric Reid and at No. 77 this sounds like decent value. Yet is he too much like Reid? Should we instead look for a little more speed to play the back half of the field? These are my questions with this pick.

No. 100 — Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State (or Renell Wren, DT, Arizona State)

Interesting play here by Jourdan, offering two options, one offense one defense. Both would be developmental players in positions needing competent back-ups. Howard has been on the rise since the evaluation period started. Wren I know nothing about though the last sentence in the write up caught my eye.

Similarly, Wren is also on the upswing and could back up multiple positions on the defensive line as he continues to develop. A league source told the Observer in January that the Panthers had been interested in Wren for some time.

So does Jourdan have an inside connection to the Panthers? Well of course she does. Something to consider when deciding on selections for the upcoming Pick the Panthers Draft Class contest.

No. 115 — David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State

I have nothing against Montgomery, I’m just not crazy about using a draft pick on a running back at any point in this draft. It just seems there are too many good ones out there in free agency to spend a draft pick on one. Heck we just let C.J. Anderson walk. I’d rather look for a linebacker here or an offensive tackle if we instead selected Wren at No. 100. So this is the one pick I’m not crazy about.

No. 154 — Mark Fields, CB, Clemson

Fields has got the speed for the position, running a 4.37 40-yard dash at the Combine. Plus you can never have enough speed at cornerback in my view. I had no idea until now he is the son of former Panthers linebacker Mark Fields. I love the thought of a legacy, especially one that really wants to play in Carolina. Click through to read the story if you are unaware. I don’t want to strip everything from Jourdan’s piece.

No. 187 — Cameron Smith, LB, Southern California

If there is one position I am 100 percent certain the Panthers will select a player it is linebacker. We have open positions to fill as well as new requirements due to the added 3-4 alignments.

Smith has four years of starting experience and was a captain during his senior season with the Trojans. That follows a quality the Panthers liked with another late-round linebacker pick — 2018 fifth-round pick Jermaine Carter Jr. was also a team captain at Maryland. Smith would fill an immediate special teams need in Carolina after the retirement of linebacker Ben Jacobs and the loss of linebacker David Mayo in free agency. Smith could eventually project into a backup middle linebacker role.

Smith would be walking into a great opportunity in Carolina.

Overall I like the position mix and the quality of players. This is of course without knowing who is being selected from in Jourdan’s mock draft. Feel free to posit your selections in the comment thread.