2017 NFL Mock Draft: Mad Rush At Start For Top Defenders

7. player. 87. The Carolina Panthers offense were at their best in 2015. A big reason for that was because they were able to run the football. That hasn’t been the case this season. They rank a distant 15th in rushing. Jonathan Stewart has just 365 yards. It’s clear whatever he had before is no longer with him. Considering the fact he turns 30 next March, the team has to consider finding a replacement sooner than later. So why not give Cam Newton one of the most talented backs in recent memory? <p>Leonard Fournette may not quite be Adrian Peterson, but he’s close. The LSU back has it all. He can run with power, he can take it the distance for 80 yards with speed and he’s a deceptive athlete for his size. Teams will be concerned about his spotty injury history but backs of this caliber don’t come around very often. Putting him and Newton in the same backfield could have devastating effects for the rest of the NFC and put the Panthers right back in the Super Bowl picture.</p>. RB. LSU. Leonard Fournette