top dawg

We want dawgs, and he's not one.

Nah. He was too much of an established player to be at the Senior Bowl---he's a legit first round talent, and he wasn't a senior.

Just the main Panthers reporter for USA Today. I've referenced him on occasion.

He didn't even work out the Combine because he had a Jones fracture.

This looks more like a need-based wishlist to me. Also, I will be disappointed if we can't land Malik Washington for grabbing Cooper or Limmer.

What makes this any more realistic than any other mock draft? I will say that If McInstry is there, then he'd have a good chance of being picked by us, but I don't know that he's going to last until day 2.

45 or 50 more than likely, unless they sweeten the pot even more. You should look at the draft own it's own merit. If let's say that Bo Nix or Michael Penix are available, some QB-needy team may want to grab them.

For me, it all depends, but I would have to be adding a third this year and a second next year (on top of swapping our seconds).

Why does everyone prefer Chop? Robinson might end up better.

At our position, and with our positions of need, arguably there is not a lot of difference between the beginning of the second and end of the third. Whether we trade back will depend upon who is available at the time, and what is the compensation being offered by another team. It's all about perceived and real value

All mock drafts are wrong, but they do give you a measure of insight. Here is Brendan Donahue's mock: https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/analysis/2024-nfl-mock-draft-brendan-donahue/ He is apparently more accurate than most and has us trading up to 21 to draft Brian Thomas.

You must look at the value. If your draft is not value-driven, then you probably aren't doing it right.

Just pointing out (again) that per Mike Kaye scouts have said that CBs kinda fall off of a cliff after day 2. "The Charlotte Observer polled four evaluators from four different teams last week about the cornerback class in the draft. According to the group, the class is relatively average compared to previous classes with the talent dropping off largely after the third round. So, while the Panthers need another top-notch wide receiver, the depth of the draft class implies that cornerback should be a more urgent fix." Not that Kaye's mouth is a prayer book, but he makes you think. https://www.heraldonline.com/sports/article287400055.html

Regardless of how some of you insinuate that every big receiver (except Metcalf) can't play the game, I think we all know that's not true. Franklin has shown some explosiveness, and runs pretty good routes. He will likely earn his lunch in space. That being said, Franklin is smaller than most for his frame, not really physical at all (and all that comes with that), has the dropsies and rally is a piss-poor blocker.

I hear you about Franklin, but he is a stick.

I would like Kool-Aid McInstry, as he would shore up the side opposite of Horn. I would also like Xavier Legette, as I think he's better able to be an outside X receiver with WR1 upside, and is more physical, than anyone expected to be in our pick range.

Next year's draft is supposed to be strong for WR as well, so you could actually end up getting a better receiver (if that's what you choose to pick). If the value is there at 33 for a receiver that strikes your fancy, then fine. If you think that you can get better value later in round two, or even round three, you trade it away.

Well, I think it would be safe and solid. I also think that it would be hard to pass up that 2025 second (especially being that we don't have one).

We trade down with Giants (who want Bo) to pick 47 and get their 2025 second. At 39 we pick Ladd At 47 we pick JPJ For those interested Legette goes to the Chiefs. AD to the Lions Worthy to Chargers (via Minny) Chop to Tampa Kool-Aid to Ravens Darius Robinson to the Cards (via Hou) https://oldnorthbanter.com/posts/panthers-pull-off-major-trade-in-mel-kiper-s-latest-mock-draft-01hv43fkbn84

Mike Kaye had an article just yesterday that said according to several scouts of different teams, there is a big dropoff as far as CB is concerned. Kaye said that there's an argument that corner is our biggest need and that being that the dropoff is so steep, we may need to prioritize CB over WR. https://www.heraldonline.com/sports/article287400055.html

A paycut? That would just ultimately create another hole, and possibly a hole that takes seasons to fill with a player that's comparable. Perhaps we can sign him to something more reasonable next season. He's now the 15th highest paid OT. Keep in mind that he only allowed one sack last season. https://frontofficesports.com/the-25-highest-paid-nfl-offensive-tackles/

I've heard that Bryce looks more defined on Panthers Uncensored. He's "leaned up." That's good enough for me.

Sounds like you've already made up your mind about Bryce...

I mean, five wins doesn't mean that we didn't have a good off-season. It's all relative. I'm paying attention to what Bryce does for sure, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to be looking at the team as a whole. Bryce is the captain of the ship for now, so we kinda have to focus on what he does or doesn't do, while simultaneously trying to compartmentalize and grade what the other players are doing as well. I think that's pretty much true every year, because teams need QBs at best to lift the team on their shoulders and win, or at worst not to be the reason the team doesn't win. That being said, you still have to build a team, irrespective of the QB. I feel that the Rams showed that building a team that a franchise QB can be dropped into and immediately win is possible, and I feel that San Fran has followed that same model, the Jets are trying to do the same, and that the Bears are doing something similar as well. We're so new and not yet established that it's going to take some time to construct and cement a culture. Within that same vein, I don't think there's one way to go about winning championships, but I do believe that the FOs that do it best have the finger on the pulse of its personnel at all times and develops a dynamic plan in order to put pieces together that will make winning championships more possible on a consistent basis. I'm kinda rambling now, but suffice it to say that all the pieces of the team are important, but some pieces are more important than others. You have to be able to project what the team can and can't do based upon the pieces that you do and don't have, and you must be able to see where some are limiting the team towards its goal, and others are pulling the team closer to its goal.