And with the 25th pick of the 2015 NFL Nation mock draft, the Carolina Panthers select Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith.

Some will question this pick, saying I should have selected an offensive tackle in the draft shown live on ESPN. Florida's D.J. Humphries, who is from Charlotte, N.C., was still available.

But five wide receivers already were off the board when Carolina went on the clock. The odds of getting a receiver with Smith's elite speed in the second round were greatly reduced.

2015 NFL DRAFT Round 1: April 30, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Rds. 2-3: May 1, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Rds. 4-7: May 2, noon ET (ESPN)

Where: Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, Chicago NFL draft home page • 2015 NFL draft order

• Mel Kiper Jr.: Mock 5.0 • Todd McShay: Final mock • Todd McShay's Top 32 players • Mel Kiper Jr.'s Big Board • Top 10 prospects by position • NFL draft player rankings

Also, Humphries isn't likely to play left tackle in his first season because A.) he likely won't be ready; B.) because the Panthers believe offseason acquisition Michael Oher can do the job.

Carolina also is comfortable with the right tackle position where Humphries likely would have to begin his career. Mike Remmers returns as the starter along with Nate Chandler and Jonathan Martin, claimed off waivers when released by San Francisco.

You want a first-round player that can have an immediate impact. Smith can do that.

Smith is a touchdown-maker. He had 12 touchdowns this past season and 30 for his career. He has that elite speed as a former track star to blow the top off of defenses. He's NFL ready.

Put Smith opposite Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina's first-round pick in 2014, and you've given quarterback Cam Newton two dynamic receivers for years to come.

Smith also is regarded as one of the nation's top gunners, so he could shore up special teams as well.

I believe it's a solid pick. ESPN analyst Bill Polian, who was on the show to critique picks, agreed.