Andrus Peat is a popular pick in mock drafts that have him still available when the Panthers are on the clock.
Mock drafters are holding firm to their almost universal notion that the Panthers will select an offensive tackle in the first round of the NFL Draft, but that's where the agreement ends.
About the only other thing they agree on is that the Panthers, in their current draft slot of No. 25, will not be the first team to select an offensive tackle. On average, the six mock drafters at NFL.com have three offensive tackles being taken before the Panthers pick, and that doesn't even include Brandon Scherff – a potential tackle listed as a guard that all six have going before No. 25.
It should be noted that even if four tackles are gone when the Panthers pick, Carolina wouldn't necessarily be "settling" for its fifth-rated tackle. No one knows how the Panthers' board will line up, and it's conceivable that their top-rated tackle could be there when they pick.
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So if the Panthers do take a tackle, which of the top ones will be there when they pick and which one would Carolina most covet in the minds of the mockers?
Two of NFL.com's six mock drafters have Stanford tackle Andrus Peat still available when the Panthers pick, and both have the Panthers selecting him. Three of the six have Louisiana State tackle La'el Collins, available, and two of those three have the Panthers choosing him. The exception is Daniel Jeremiah, who is the only mocker who has both Peat and Collins on the board when the Panthers pick and has Carolina opting for Peat.
Among the two mockers who have both Peat and Collins off the board before the Panthers pick, Brian Baldinger has Carolina taking Florida tackle D.J. Humphries of Florida, and Bucky Brooks has Carolina taking Pittsburgh tackle T.J. Clemmings. Just one mock drafter has Miami tackle Ereck Flowers still available when the Panthers pick, but Charles Davis has Carolina opting for Peat rather than Flowers.
Another factor in this hypothetical offensive tackle equation is the teams drafting before the Panthers. Below are a few teams that could impact the options available for Carolina.
18. Kansas City Chiefs
Despite selecting Eric Fischer with the first overall pick in the 2013 draft, three of NFL.com's six analysts have the Chiefs drafting an offensive lineman (Cameron Erving, Scherff and Clemmings).
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Andrew Whitworth has been a stalwart at left tackle, but he'll turn 34 years old this year, and the Bengals could look for a rookie to groom. Humphries and Peat (twice) are mocked to Cincinnati.
23. Detroit Lions
Four NFL.com analysts project the Lions to select an offensive tackle. Three of them chose Humphries and one picked Flowers. Riley Reiff has performed well at left tackle, but many feel Detroit will look to add depth or upgrade the right tackle spot.
Staff writer Max Henson contributed to this report.
