2011 NFL Mock Draft: Carolina Panthers Select Patrick Peterson

Rd. # Player Pos. College 1 1 Patrick Peterson CB LSU General Manager: Enforcer

With the first pick of the 2011 Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft, the Carolina Panthers select LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson.

Here is Enforcer's reasoning for the pick:

I went with Peterson simply because he is the "best player available." I don't feel Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert are worthy of the top pick. Carolina has too many holes to fill on defense. The loss of Julius Peppers showed how much of an effect just one guy can have. My only other option with this pick was a DT with either Marcell Dareus or Nick Fairley.

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Check out the 2011 Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft tracker for a look at all of the picks. Also, make sure to check back in later in the day for the second and third overall picks, which belong to the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills, respectively.