Via his latest mailbag (Link)
Regarding potential trade up scenarios...
To me, trading up to No. 3 makes a ton of sense. The Panthers’ brass likes multiple members of the consensus top-four quarterbacks, and they could nab one of them with the third overall pick. While some will balk at the idea of allowing the first two teams to decide the Panthers’ next quarterback, the reality of the situation is that Chicago has a choice in this matter and may not want to trade back so far. However, a deal with the rebuilding Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 appears to be a primary pressure point for the Panthers to pounce.
Possible tight end options in free agency and the Draft...
With the Panthers likely to select a rookie quarterback in the first round, signing a veteran tight end who can act as a safety blanket seems logical. Tennessee Titans tight end Austin Hooper, 28, would make a lot sense on a three-year deal. Hooper is big and strong and can catch like a possession receiver. Over the past three seasons, Hooper has caught 125 passes for 1,274 yards and 9 touchdowns. He could be in for an Ian Thomas-like deal, which would be palatable under the Panthers’ current cap situation.
Hayden Hurst, 30, is likely to be in consideration. While he’s a bit older, he entered the league in his mid-20s and is coming off a strong year in Cincinnati. The well-traveled former first-round pick has excellent yards-after-catch ability and went to school at nearby University of South Carolina. While Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki could be of interest to the Panthers, he is more of an over-sized slot receiver and red-zone target than a bulk-catching tight end. His game might not completely fit into the way head coach Frank Reich views the position.
What the team might be thinking at the safety spot...
On paper, free safety, in particular, seems like a massive hole in the Panthers’ secondary. While Xavier Woods did a lot of nice things at strong safety last year, the Panthers need a guy who can serve as a center fielder, and Jeremy Chinn isn’t that guy.
With Chinn likely to move to linebacker or more of a “rover” role on defense, the Panthers should look to sign a veteran free safety with proven ability.
