2013 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Predicting Picks 11-21
By Baily Deeter
Oct 12, 2012; Starkville, MS, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs with the ball during the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State won 41-31. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden–USA TODAY Sports
14. Carolina Panthers-Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
Carolina is a team that isn’t terrible in any one phase of the game, so they could go in a number of ways here.
There isn’t a reason to take a quarterback or running back, because the Panthers have a budding star in Cam Newton and no one to choose from out of this year’s running back class. However, locking up a wide receiver for Newton to develop chemistry with wouldn’t be a bad idea. Newton hasn’t had tons of help in his two years with the Panthers, but adding a young playmaker at wideout could pay dividends.
The Panthers ranked 13th against the pass and 14th against the run in 2012, so there isn’t a huge need to take a defensive player. Carolina is picking after 13 other teams, so they are unlikely to land the next Patrick Willis on defense. Steve Smith is aging, and Brandon LaFell isn’t a star. Patterson, who averaged 16.9 yards per catch and finished with 778 receiving yards, would benefit from a big-play quarterback, which Carolina has in Newton.
In other words, going for it all with Patterson would be a smart move.