The SB Nation two-round NFL mock draft continues along with each lead NFL team blogger making the pick for their team. Up now is the Carolina Panthers with the No. 9 overall pick.
2012 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Round 1, Pick 9
With the ninth pick in the 2012 SB Nation NFL Writers Mock Draft, the Carolina Panthers select Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.
Jaxon of Cat Scratch Reader breaks down the choice and I respond after the jump. For more on the Panthers, follow along at CatScratchReader.com.
Jaxon explains: There is no question the Panthers will look to bolster the defense with this draft and that starts up front at DT where the Panthers were terrible at stopping the run last year. Though the Panthers would prefer an elite pass rusher like Quinton Coples with Coples off the board instead they take Fletcher Cox as the best DT in the draft. In spite of Dontari Poe getting all the hype from the combine, Cox was just as impressive and is a better fit for the Panthers' scheme.
Cox can play anywhere along the 4-3 front line, plays with a relentless motor and is the best DT in this draft getting off his blocks and making plays against the run and pass. Cox played against top-flight competition and is a strong, agile and athletic DT who can make plays in the backfield and might end up the best interior pass rusher in this draft. Another big plus is no one questions his effort and he enters the NFL as a high character guy with no red flags
Dan Kadar responds: Cox is indeed a good scheme fit for the Panthers. Carolina needs a tackle who can generate pressure and slip through blocks. That’s Cox’ specialty. Although by no means is he a corner bending speed rusher, he could even be used at end in certain situations. But if Carolina wants to solely keep him at tackle, Cox may have to add more power in his base and learn how to play with a better pad level.
Mocking the Draft's Top 5 Remaining Prospects
| OVR | Name | Pos. | College | Report |
| 7 | Dre Kirkpatrick | CB | Alabama | scouting report |
| 8 | Courtney Upshaw | OLB | Alabama | scouting report |
| 9 | David DeCastro | G | Stanford | scouting report |
| 10 | Jonathan Martin | OT | Stanford | scouting report |
| 12 | Devon Still | DT | Penn State | prospect notes |
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