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THE WALKER BACKGROUND Here is where this gets weird. Walker is a serviceable LT who could benefit from Gilbert's experience and coaching. However, he is known for below-average run blocking and frequent penalties. As you know, a penalty from a LT is a drive killer. A former 7th round pick, Walker has outperformed expectations, but he still ranks around the middle of the pack when compared to other tackles. Having said that, it seems as if the Panthers are banking on Walker for a year and will then make a decision on Ickey. In Green Bay, Walker was the starter, but the Packers weren't exactly sold on him. While most people think the oft-injured David Bakhtiari retired in 2023, he really wanted to keep playing. He was released on March, 11, 2024. Walker stepped in and took the reserve LT job from Nijman in that 2023 season, but they were close--probably because Nijman was more of a swing OT. However, Nijman was a free agent in 2024, so the Panthers signed him just a week after Bakhtiari was released, leaving the Packers only Walker to play LT. A month later, the Packers drafted a LT in the first round, Jordan Morgan out of Arizona. Most Packer fans believe that Morgan would have beat out Walker for the LT job in 2024, but he had some shoulder injuries and went to IR after 6 games. In 2025, when the Packers had an injury at G during the season, instead of putting Morgan in at LT for Walker as planned, they played Morgan to guard because Walker can only play 1 position. The Packers currently project Morgan back to LT for 2026, which is probably why they did not seek to retain Walker, at least in part. Based on this history, it is safe to say this: Walker is better than Nijman. We have the benefit of them being on the same team in a direct competition to help us see that. Walker is probably closer to Ickey, except for the penalties. That bothers me a lot. Bryce sucks when we get behind the sticks, and a run-first offense with a poor run-blocking LT is not ideal. Regardless, I think Ickey and the Panthers find themselves in limbo right now, so the Walker deal comes at a perfect time for the GM. Gilbert, perhaps, can work on the penalties and maybe a TE like Tremble can help offset the run blocking issues, so maybe we can actually stay the course at OT. Maybe we do not draft a LT--maybe we draft a RT to groom behind Moton. Maybe we draft a C. At LT, the Panthers do not want to overreact, especially if Ickey returns to form or Walker demonstrates improvement. Depth is certainly a concern, but a solid RT can be that depth. I doubt the Panthers draft a LT in rounds one or maybe two. It seems we have bigger needs at Will LB, DT, TE, and maybe S.

THIS! IF we go offense at 19, it should be the trenches, which is no longer a pressing need with Waler's signing. 3 biggest needs in 2026, IMO, are DT, FS, ILB. We need to upgrade our starters at those positions and I expect anyone rafted at 19 to start immediately. I could rationalize OT (right or left) or CB since we're an injury away from a severe drop off AND have huge offseason concerns at both next year. Unless Bryce plays a lot better, I want to upgrade QB next year so I could get behind locking in a 2027 starter this year if the right guy is there. You COULD argue NCB and TE are positions where we need to upgrade our starters, sure, but not at 19. Both positions can still be upgraded on day 2.

He's firmly a second rounder and I don't think we would go that high for a TE this draft. Third? Possibly. I mean Rhule drafted Tremble in the third round who clearly was just a blocking TE.

Did you use an AI to generate this?

Fortner is an experienced 3rd round pick from SEC who has played pretty well. Why exoect a late rounder small school rookie to beat him out?

#Panthers Luke Fortner: one year, $2.75M, $825K signing bonus, $1.325M fully gtd, salary $1.215M https://x.com/aaronwilson_nfl/status/2033511565933072710?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA

Whenever the Panthers have had deep runs they've had great tight ends. That's why. KC- great tight end. NE with Brady- great tight end. Pretty much most of your high end teams have meaningful production at the TE spot. I'm not opposed to it.

I am about to put him a tier below Ozzie Newsome / John Lynch when it comes to players turned GMs... this guy is GOOD!

I'd agree his business but that's kind of the problem with sharing your personal growth journey for BetterHelp ads

While we might not like the quality of some of the depth, we can now go into the draft without our hands tied.

Maybe right there with the 5-4 win over the same team on Feb 26.

Here's our transactions.

Funny enough his pro comp on NFL.com is Carlos Dunlap.

I actually think we’re on the few teams I’d consider for drafting Faulk. His lack of pass rushing productivity gives me reservations for a 4-3 edge. I’ve heard draft guys say some of it was scheme n his job to occupy blockers to free up LBs or whatever. But he hasn’t shown me enough to be a first round edge as a pass rusher. Buts he’s 6’6 280 with long arms and stout against the run. And he’s young and could add size. Think there’s room for him to be a strong fit in an odd front. Not sure he’s my first choice. But I wouldn’t hate it.

From NFL Reporter Matt Lombardo: "The NFL's Biggest Free Agency Winners, according to executives who know" https://bsky.app/profile/mattlombardo.bsky.social/post/3mh6bozlgbc2x

He had quite the interview on Cam Newton’s podcast Cam was kind to him Why, I don’t know smith has issues…then again, who doesn’t…

That is what it seemed like at the time.

Oh don't get me wrong all of our smurfs will drive the net, its just in the playoffs were physicality ramps up you can't make up for being outweighed by 40+ pounds and give up 5+ inches in height with "grit" and "gumption" for the playoffs I'd honestly be tempted to have Stanky back on the wing, have Janakowski man the 2c and KK the fourth line.... (Janakowski has been productive for his very limited TOI) and tbh Stankoven has 30 points in 63 games played averaging 16.5 minutes of ice time, Janakowski has 16 in 53 games averaging just a shade over 9 minutes of ice time, Stanky has spent almost 3x as much time on the ice for less than double the production, and he doesn't provide the same size

Remember Stef Noesen? Best net front the Canes have had in the last 10 years. Once told Tripp that none of his goals would make highlight reels because they all happen within 3 feet of the net.

At the time, I remember thinking Luke was a great player but a luxury pick. LOL, WTF did I know.

I was explaining this very fact to my wife Friday afternoon! She gave zero fugs.

Sonny Styles raved about his interview with Dan Morgan at the combine. It's too bad he won't be there at 19.

#Panthers Luke Fortner: one year, $2.75M, $825K signing bonus, $1.325M fully gtd, salary $1.215M

Give me Michael Malone