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I look at it like get on top of the situation. Stay ahead of it. If it costs you a year of not drafting a starter at number three WR in the first so be it. We need new blood there in 2027 if not 2026, and need to get some OL on rookie deals. At the same time the big picture is considered, we have a QB that has yet to earn an extension and you can go glass half full if you want but he had about half the good games that he needed to have. Fewer, IMO, but the point is he is not a lock to earn an extension. Which would really put next year’s number one in play for QB and take OT off the table. So I think it needs to be on the table this year.

Feels like they just changed like 2 years ago.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-offensive-line-success-why-building-through-the-nfl-draft-is-the-key Conclusions drawn This article took a deep dive into evaluating recent offensive line trends regarding the draft and free agency while incorporating team success into the equation. Here are the biggest takeaways: The best offensive lines in football (PHI, DET, TB) were built through the draft in the early rounds Other teams (most notably LAC) are following the same approach in team building Offensive line is something a team should target in the early rounds (1-3), as the success rate significantly declines in the later rounds both in the short and long-term Offensive tackles have a higher success rate through the draft than interior offensive linemen, regardless of round Acquiring free agent offensive line does have its benefits, particularly for elite units filling one hole. Interior offensive is typically the way to go Top-end offensive line talent is far less likely to be available via trade or free agency compared to other positions year to year, only emphasizing the importance of the draft My words: we were forced to make some big signings on interior after years of poor OL drafting and neglect. It worked but isnt sustainable. We need to get right. Drafting tackles high is a successful formula. We need to start now to have any hope going forward.

It kinda looks like a generic Cardinals uniform to me. I guess the news is they are ditching the black jerseys. And I think this will be their alternative helmet:

Lol. Any reason to throw digs at this guy. I didn't say he was built to do it. I said he was successful every time he's tried. That means he can do it. That's the opposite of fantasy. That's reality. Steve Smith wasn't built to be a jump ball WR either. But he did it at a high clip. For the record, I'm not saying BY is the level of QB as Smitty was as a WR. Just an example of size not being the only component.

Let's say we have a LT for 2026, because we do. After that, let's say Ickey could be back and we would have the option of extending Walker. That too is truth. Don't get me wrong--I LOVE drafting OL, but drafting a first-round OT now is either wasting the money we just paid for a free agent OR it is like paying top dollar for a new car and keeping it in your garage for a season. A first rounder should give us 4-5 years of cap relief by playing from day 1. I shall elaborate here: Teams obviously get desperate for OTs and if they enter the draft without 2 solid tackles, they are almost obligated to reach for a first round OT. This year, I see 1 OT who is probably worth first-round consideration, and I am not putting him in the top 10 players in the draft. Lomu, Freeling, Miller, and Proctor, for example, probably and arguably have second-round value. So why would you reach for an OT in round 1 when you already have starters at both T positions but you have other needs? We do need depth, however, and I think there is decent OT depth that needs development on day 3. They are no slouches, by the way. Drew Shelton (could drop to round 4): Surrendered 1 sack as Penn State's LT in 2025. 33 3/8" arms. Pass pro improved every year (4 years--experienced). "For a team running a zone-heavy scheme that values lateral movement and reach-blocking ability over phone-booth mauling, Shelton has real appeal. He is not a plug-and-play starter, but the athletic tools and the clear year-over-year improvement suggest a player who can develop into a capable starter if a coaching staff invests in his strength base and cleans up his technique. The ceiling depends entirely on how much stronger he can get and whether his feet can stay alive after initial contact." Austin Barber (could drop to round 4): I see him as a RT at best and a probable kick inside to Guard where his strengths would switch from secondary to primary tools. Considering Lewis and Hunt may be gone in a year or two, this would give the Panthers a chance to work him at RT and then move him inside if he is not effective, and there is confidence that G may be his best position. Jude Bowery (4th round projection) was LT on a Boston College OL that was effective in the run game. Bowery is one of the most athletic OTs in the draft. His arms are not ideal but not too short (33.75") to play LT. He surrendered 2 sacks. He is raw, and needs some technical refinement with his hands. I think he has the best upside and value for this offense. Dametrious Crownover TexAM (5th round projection; 35 3/8" arms) is one of the more fascinating developmental tackles in this class because the physical tools are legitimately rare. A strong run blocker who should be better in pass protection with his tools. "You do not find many 6-7, 336-pound men with that foot speed and who have the athletic background of a converted tight end. When everything clicks, he looks like a starting right tackle in a gap-heavy run scheme, smothering defenders at the point of attack and using his length to erase speed off the edge. The 2024 tape, when he anchored one of the best rushing attacks in the SEC, is the version of Crownover that gets offensive line coaches excited." THIS is the kind of player our coaches could develop until Moton is done. Isaiah World (Oregon, injured ACL in playoffs, 5th round projection--could slide to 6th). World will not play much if at all in 2026, which is why he might fall. For the Panthers' purposes, however, this would give the OL coaches time to work with him. "What made World intriguing coming out of Eugene was the untapped ceiling, a fifth-year transfer who arrived as the top-ranked offensive tackle in the portal and looked the part for stretches. The improvement he showed against Big Ten competition in his one Oregon season was real, and the physical foundation, length, athleticism, and improving technique in pass protection, is still there. The ACL tear suffered in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Indiana doesn't erase that, but it changes the conversation significantly." "That said, the investment argument isn't crazy for the right organization. This is still a tackle with first-round portal grades and the kind of athletic profile that doesn't just disappear. A team with patience and a strong offensive line room can afford to stash World on the roster, let him develop his lower-body power and pad-level consistency during the recovery process, and potentially unlock a starting-caliber right tackle somewhere in his second or third season. The path is longer now, but the destination hasn't changed for a scout willing to bet on the physical tools." You get the idea. If we do not need the OT immediately, draft one later and develop him as depth and for next season. Most college players drafted in round 1 were not first rounders if they had entered the draft the year before, so why not grab a player with upside?

Its never the QBs fault, so if we get a new WR and he looks bad he must be a bust

Based on what? Its certainly not his in game coaching prowess.

Hey @Verge. Long time no see.

Lomu's pass blocking is already top notch and a year with our coaches and trainers would do wonders for him. I WOULD love to trade back a few spots and get him in the mid 20's (and pick up another late rd 3), but i seriously doubt he makes it out of round 1.

Of all the coaches we've ever had.... we've had worse. of all the head coaches in the NFL today.... there are worse. DC has upside. I'm also optimistic. (He learning and making adjustments, like handing off play calling)

That's what having a competent GM looks like... filling all the team's glaring holes in the off season, so that we don't have to reach for a certain position. I'm not saying that we couldn't use some upgrades, but we have at least mediocre starters at every position. Do I want Wallace and Scott staring at ILB and FS, absolutely not, BUT, they were starters last year. As to the OT topic, we have 2 solid staters for 2026 and our back up started ay LT 13 games for GB last year. He was NOT good, but they won more games than we did. I absolutely think that we will draft another OT early due to Moton's age and Ickey's injury, but it no longer has to happen at 19. I'm looking forward to sitting back in a few weeks with a cold drink and enjoying the draft.

All black unis/helmet immediately

If you were the NFL or the Panthers marketing team [whomever makes these decisions] and had 100% total control over rebranding the team (like how the Bucs rebranded away from the creamscicle orange and "Bucco Bruce" mascot/logo and installed the pirate ship in the end zone).... what would you do? Name and location stays the same - it's still the "Carolina Panthers"... but everything else is eligible for rebranding. Colors, mascot, logo.... have at it (keep the panther eyes in the end-zone graphic package, unless you come up with something better)

head_coach_dave_canales_explains_why_he_doesnt-81yn0giwjf7g1.mp4 Imagine your head coach saying this in a league where the tush push exists and then carrying water for it like we're actually playing 4D chess by limiting ourselves.

Lol. Canales said he was 190 and not built to do it. But keep living in your fantasy world

So if kc or whoever flops and/or Coker gets hurt do we just keep drafting wrs for Bryce? See how that works?

Smith is just trying to find the next steve smith and he's not even good at that.

Just looked at schedule and it is pretty realistic for every other team 5-10 to finish with 45 wins. If the hornets slack off and lose 2 they could still end up in 10th. Win out and there is an honest chance at 5 still

Hornets came back and blew out the Suns and the Lakers got drubbed by 40+. I got to say it was a good day.

Hoping the last 2 or 3 games have playoff position already decided. Would be amazing to win out and get to 6 but I don't even know if that would do it

In two seasons Coker has played in 22 games and started 7. Would love to see him get a full season in before thinking we’re set at WR for a while

Do it Dave. Let’s have Air Bryce. I wanna see it.

I swear that is about where I am after years of listening to him evaluate the young guys. You want to get get a good WR? Don’t listen to Steve.