Mr. Scot

I feel like whoever has their pro day last will be the guy that everybody wants

After all the signings we've had? It feels like there could be some contracts that hadn't been processed or something like that, but I'm not a cap person so I don't know. If this is true though, that's some good work.

About the only thing I really feel all that certain of right now is that Matt Rhule doesn't want to go into this "need to win now" season with Sam Darnold as his starter. If he feels comfortable with one of the college guys (probably Pickett) then maybe he'll go that route, but I'm not sure of that either. I do feel like if we don't draft a quarterback, then post draft we're going to start looking at some of those scenarios we weren't ready to go for just yet, i.e. Garoppolo and perhaps even Mayfield.

Between this and the reports that came out during the process, I don't really think we were important to the story at all.

That's very possible.

I'd agree. I just don't think his traits are gonna be special at the NFL level. Shame too. He comes across as a great kid, absolutely the kind of guy you'd love to cheer for (basically the anti-Watson). If we take him, I'll definitely hope for the best as I have with every quarterback from Clausen to Darnold. I just have my doubts.

Observer beat writer

FYI: Tepper is reported to be a big fan of Kenny Pickett (ties to Pitt and all) As to the approach, I've seen it not work out as often as I've seen it work. Basically, if guys can't read and process on some level by the time they get to the college game, they're probably not going to do it in the NFL. Willis? The near universal school of thought on him is that he might be able to do it given a year or two, but he's not ready yet. I'd add though that having watched Willis play against decent competition, I think his physical skills are somewhat overrated. I see people making comparisons to guys like Newton, Wilson, etc. But the reality is all of those guys were far superior athletes to Willis, and they approved it against greater competition. Sorry dude. I just don't see it. Ditto all the others for various reasons. I want a tackle.

I don't think Willis is going to be that good, but in general I'd be okay with the idea of taking a quarterback to develop. Rookies waiting a year or so before starting has always been my preference. The problem with that this year is you have a head coach who needs to win now to save his job. So while you or I might be okay with the idea, Matt Rhule is likely to feel different.

The impression I get is that the people telling him the story didn't talk much about Carolina.

His ability to read defenses is the biggest question mark. Even if he is making the reeds, he doesn't seem to be confident enough in them to make the throw.

The image I have in my head involves middle fingers going both ways.

It wasn't last minute. Reports said he called about that before he eliminated us. We said no and were told we were out later that same day.

It's still pretty early in the draft process. That stuff's going to be hashed out in meetings between now and draft day.

Charles Cross (Evan Neal I'd he drops)

I'd rather they both defer to James Campen

Confirmed (both ways)

It's on his Liberty bio.

I'm gonna guess the same crew. Mind you, I didn't see Sean Ryan's name mentioned anywhere today, but he still might have been there.

It's also a misdemeanor. (depending on the amount)

We were in on La'el Collins and there's chatter that we've talked to Duane Brown. It's possible they could have a deal in principle with some team or player but might not actually finalize it until after the draft. That'd be smart because then nobody would be clued in to what we're taking.

Don't think they ever were. "Preliminary talks" are very common. Sometimes they don't lead to anything. Sometimes they even lead to saying "nah".

I'm pretty firm on wanting one of those big tackles in this year's draft. Kinda doubt anybody's pro day is gonna move me off that stance. (I'm definitely not alone in this either)

Or somebody else's?