grimesgoat

I think we really want to trade down, but if no offers are worth it, we'll stay and take an OT or Edge at 6. I've gotta believe with the draft capital Philly has, they are a prime target. Picks 15+51+83 is almost exactly the point value of 6. Philly can get a difference-maker at 6 in a position of need (sauce, stingley) and we can get much needed draft capital. I could see this going one of two ways, either we drop down and pick one of our 2 favorite QBs at 15 or they throw in Minshew instead of 83. With a new QB in hand, we are free to get a play-making LB at 15 (Lloyd?) and OL help at 51 (or vice versa). I think this is the best path to improve this football team. Next year we target our long-term franchise QB.

Doesn't matter what the talking heads say. They are out for clicks. Only one person can actually make his seat hot. Tepper.

He's definitely on the hot seat in huddle world. Not sure about outside the bubble.

I sure hope so. Too early for a QB.

It was a silly question. Winning more games results in job security. "Desperately trying to save their jobs" has a negative supposition that he is on the hot seat, which we do not actually know. If Tepper gave him an ultimatum, he did tell us about it, and is not consistent with a 7-year contract. When he was hired, he said it would take 5 years to establish the culture/program, but would lead to long-term success (like Pittsburg, New England, etc.). If he was given an ultimatum and decided to mortgage the future, he could have sent multiple firsts for Russell Wilson, or sent our first rounder to Atlanta for Matt Ryan. All are clear upgrades to what we have, but would have been short-term temporary solutions at best. Point is, he's really not acting that desperate. He's had plenty of time to offer 3 firsts for Kyler Murray if he's "just trying to save his job". Just to be clear, I'm not a Rhule fan and believe we can do better. I'd love a new coach after next year. But he's not acting desperate. I'm seeing modest overall roster improvement each year. Whether it results in more wins is still unknown. We'll see.

What's the difference between "desperately trying to save their jobs" and "trying to win NFL games"? Asking for a friend.

You put a lot of thought into this - thanks. I think Cleveland is highly motivated to get him out of the building at any cost. They have a backup already in case Watson is suspended (Brissett), so he serves no purpose and will likely be a no-show to camp if he is not traded. Cutting him will cost 18m dead, so they will be desperate for a trade. The only other team that may have an interest is Pittsburgh, who is in their division. They are sitting on about 15m in cap room and could probably make it work. The guy is coming off surgery, a bit of a headcase, and his play has been very inconsistent. I have no idea why we would have any interest there. Unless Cleveland offered to pay half his salary and gave us their 3rd rounder (#78), I would consider it. If he plays decent, maybe he becomes a comp pick for us next year. Otherwise, its a hard pass from me.

In the second half of 2019, Darnold went 6-2. He completed 61% of his throws for 243 yds/game. He had 13 TDs, 4 picks. And he was 22. His "supporting" cast was Le'veon Bell (<800 yds for the year), Robbie Anderson (779/5) and Jamison Crowder (833/6). That's the guy I want, at least for 2022. Maybe a real offense/coordinator can find that guy or even improve him. If that guy shows up, we'll have a competitive team. If not, we'll have a new coach next year and probably picking in the top 5.

I can't disagree. I'll just say he was a mid-third round rookie playing one of the most difficult and important positions on the football field. I think he got a little banged up in there at some point as well. There was an abundance of caution, but I don't believe malice or incompetence. In the end, he got the live experience and they got the tape to evaluate. Having said that, I'm glad they got Campen to develop these guys, as well as signing a couple other guards that seem to know their business. I believe christensen will flourish this year with a better cast around him. Brown may take longer. He may sit another year, then slide into Bozeman or Elflein's spot in 2023.

Brady Christensen started 6 games, including 4 of the last 5. They should have a decent idea of what he is capable of and hopefully with a full off-season of professional conditioning, he will be ok. No clue why Brown didn't get a shot. These guys practice during the week. Maybe he just wasn't ready, although Miller/Jordan/Scott were certainly subpar. Hard to imagine not cracking that lineup with those guys ahead of you.

I would prefer to wait for next year address our long-term QB solution. We'll almost surely have a new coach and it would be nice for him to have a say. I think what will happen is we will move back 3-5 spots and select Pickett. He will be given a chance to start at some point, but I believe he will eventually be a solid #2. With the 2nd we pick up, we'll draft an OT (Raimann or Tyler Smith) or a DE (Mafe or Ebiketie). The rest of our picks will be TE, G, LB/S, WR. Huddle will implode.

I agree. If Neal, Gardner, Willis, or Thibodeaux are still on the board at 6, I could definitely see someone offering a second to move up a few spots for their guy. I doubt anyone lower than WFT would be interested, but all of the teams picking 7-11 may have their eye on someone in particular and be willing to give up something for it so they don't get jumped. ATL or SEA may have their eye on a particular QB. WFT may want the best WR available. Jets may pass on a DE at 4 but are willing to move a little to get one at 6. All moves could net us an extra 2nd. As long as we remain flexible and don't fall in love with one guy, we'll be ok. We need a lot more than 1 guy.

If you have an opportunity to trade back, you have too. Just because some goofball on ESPN provides his ranking of players does not mean all 30 teams feel the same way. We have no idea what the panthers board looks like. Their favorite QB in the draft may be Howell, but they would be stupid to pick him 6th when they can probably get him later. Seattle may want Willis and feel they need to jump Atlanta. Give them 6 for 9 & 41. At 9, you can get Pickett, Howell, Cross, Hamilton, J Johnson, Penning etc. All likely starters and all most will be available at 9. Then you have found money at 41. If you still need LT, grab Tyler Smith or Raimann. If you still need QB, Corrall, Howell, or Ridder could still be there. Don't fall in love with one guy. Talent level between 6 and 40 may be fairly equal. If so, I'd rather grab 2 of them instead of 1.

I agree. Grabbing a guy like Willis, who you know will have some growing pains, may be the best move. The combo of he and Darnold, without a shiny new LT, could propel us into a very interesting 4-13 type campaign. But with our QB of the future in place, and probably a new coach after that lousy record, a top 5 pick in hand, and a strong QB crop - we'd be in prime position for a trade rape.

Kudos. But that's out-of-the-box thinking, which is usually frowned upon around here.

Panthers are not ready to win 10+ games. Best thing they can do is trade back a few spots, ideally for a future first and draft an OT (Cross/Penning?). Then draft a DE in the 4th and call it a day. Next year, there are a number of QB options that can be dropped into an almost finished product. The 2 firsts may not be enough to get our guy, so we may need to give up a future first, but we should have a pretty solid roster all around - just waiting on a good QB to finish the product.

Quick google search shows Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, Eli Manning, Kurt Warner all spent 5 years in college. Fun fact - Warner did not start for his college team until his final year and went undrafted. Late bloomers do exist.

I'd characterize it as a couple good years, then a freakishly good year. Again - not advocating for him. I would much rather wait a year as the next class looks stacked. But if Pickett is picked, I will remain positive and learn to live with it.

Just wanted to say Paradis isn't on the roster anymore.

I don't want to draft Pickett, but calling him a 1-year wonder is a little disengenuous. I went back and looked at the covid-filled 2020 season. Pitt was 6-5, but he did not play in 2 of the losses. 2 of his losses were by 1 point to BC and NC State. So he was a couple points away from an 8-1 record. His only bad game was against Clemson, where he tossed 4 of his 9 ints. Again, not interested in him - rather go with Darnold. Just trying to be fair. He didn't actually stink in 2020. I did not look at 2017-2019.

we have 6 picks this year. we have at least 7 picks next year. we're not drafting anyone knowing they will not be contributors. they are all expected to compete for a spot. most will make the team. Some will be backups, but I imagine we can find 2-3 starters this year. Almost all of our starters on defense are signed for 2 or more years. Same with the offense. There are only a handful of 1-year deals. And I wasn't suggesting we cut shaq. I like shaq. But are you telling me we can't replace him with the 13m savings cutting him would produce? Will terrace marshall be as productive as robbie anderson allowing a savings of 12m in cap? Its a small sample, but it looks like Fitterer is focused on getting the expensive guys in the early rounds, as opposed to the prior regime that drafted LBs and RBs early. CBs, T's, Edges, WRs, and QBs are expensive on the open market and I think Fitterer will want to maximize his dollars by drafting these players in the first few rounds. Last year we went CB, WR, and T in the first 3 rounds. This year its looking like a T, QB, or Edge. Next year will probably be QB and Edge. We'll see.

This thread is revealing. Cut Shaq and Anderson: 25m Restructure Moton and CMC: 15m Meanwhile, if we draft well in the next two years, we will have 10-15 more players on nice low cost-controlled contracts (including an LT and QB). The details are available. Take a look.

I don't know him personally ,but I'm pulling for the guy. He's probably the starting QB for my favorite NFL team. I guess that makes me a fan?

I imagine the NFL frowns on teams not competing. The guys on a 1-year (Haynes, Bozeman, Littleton, and Loanidas) are all on pretty cheap deals. I imagine they can find similar players next year or maybe these guys return. We have 6 picks this year and we should have a full complement next year. We only roster 53 guys so everyone can't be on a 2+ year contract and expect all draftees to make the team. Keep your homegrown talent and build through the draft means a few 1-year contracts along the way. I think they believe they can be competitive throughout the year if things come together and CMC plays a full year. If we are hovering around .500 and in the playoff picture, fans will remain engaged and tuning in. Hell, we were above .500 last year when CMC played, despite the Darnold and a horrendous offense (scheme and OL). This roster will not win a superb owl, but hopefully it will compete.