No. 43

Pick by Cat Scratch Reader Dre Moore Defensive Tackle Maryland

With the 43rd overall selection in the 2008 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the Carolina Panthers have addressed their need at defensive tackle by selecting Maryland defensive tackle Dre Moore.  Jaxon, leader of Cat Scratch Reader, made the selection and is here to explain it:

  Since the Panthers addressed their biggest need with offensive tackle Ryan Clady in the 1st round they must now address the other side of the ball. The recent trade that sent Pro Bowl DT Kris Jenkins to the Jets means the Panthers need to restock the DL with another strong run stopper and Moore represents the best player available at this position. Other people might rate Pat Sims higher but I was not impressed with Sims performance in the position drills at the combine. He looked a little slow, clumsy and out of shape and only put up 20 reps on the bench press.

If the goal is to replace Kris Jenkins then Moore not only hails from Maryland just as Jenkins did, but he has similar size, build and strength as Jenkins yet he is actually a little quicker.  Also, Moore is a local kid from the Charlotte area so he should be an immediate fan favorite. Playing in front of friends and family on a weekly basis will hopefully alleviate any concerns about focus and consistency and provide the environment for success. Though the Panthers have penciled in Damione Lewis as the starter next to Ma'ake Kemoeatu, Lewis performs better as a 3rd down pass-rushing specialist meaning that Moore could see increased playing time on 1st and 2nd down by mid-season.

I have readers who would prefer a RB, S or a DE with this pick but I think outside of Lawrence Jackson the other options are a reach here. RB Jamaal Charles had the 2nd highest votes in my reader poll but Charles is not the power RB the Panthers covet. I think they will wait to address the position in the 3rd round where they have two picks with Matt Forte or Kevin Smith.

Concerning Jackson, I just couldn't see picking another DE this early when we still don't know if last years' 3rd round pick Charles Johnson can get the job done. Dre Moore gives the Panthers quality depth at a position where the Panthers like to rotate players routinely throughout a game. Give him a couple seasons and I think he could very well make the Pro Bowl like his predecessor and make Panthers fans forget all about Mr. Jenkins.
 
Matt Miller, host of this site as well as owner of New Era Scouting, provides his analysis below:

The pick of Ryan Clady in round one filled an immediate need at left tackle, and Clady may end up being the best tackle in this class. This pick confuses me, though. I love replacing Kris Jenkins here, it's the move I would have made myself. Why Dre' Moore, though? Moore carries a solid third round grade from myself right now. He showed up out of shape for the Senior Bowl and was very unimpressive the entire week. Like most hyped defensive tackles, Moore is a boom or bust player to the extreme. His lack of production in big games is also another negative. Moore may be local, and he may be from Maryland too, but he's not a high second-round pick. Pat Sims of Auburn was the pick here, or perhaps Frank Okam. I know Carolina wants a pass rusher at tackle, so maybe wait until round three to make this selection and draft Chad Henne here.

Grade: D  ::  Dre Moore Scouting Report - New Era Scouting :: Matt Miller's Top Five Prospects Remaining: 1.  LB Shawn Crable, 2.  RB Jamaal Charles, 3.  WR Earl Bennett, 4.  TE Fred Davis, 5.  QB Chad Henne

The Chicago Bears, represented by Windy City Gridiron, are now on the clock.  Their pick will be posted this evening, so keep it locked on to Mocking the Draft!