Zod

In the first round of the 2021 draft, the Carolina Panthers select CB Jaycee Horn

Strengths

Comes from NFL bloodline.

Steps on the field with prototypical dimensions.

Plays to his size with physical man coverage.

Experienced moving coverage from outside to slot.

Capable of playing in a variety of coverage schemes.

Press punch is well-timed and executed on balanced platform.

Confident and patient squaring up release.

Slides and mirrors in impeding the route beyond the release.

Balances attention between route and quarterback.

Bodies up down the field before finding the football.

Able to track down receiver after allowing early separation.

Long-limbed attacker at the catch point.

Underrated blitzer with ability to slip blocks and get after quarterbacks.

Weaknesses

Very modest ball production for his level of traits and talent.

Hips get sticky in transition, causing minor delays to accelerate.

Too much blatant grabbing and holding during the route.

Flags will fly if he doesn't learn to trust his feet and technique.

Average directional change when shadowing route.

Tunnel vision caused issues for him in coverage near goal line in 2020.

Too content to let others do dirty work in run support.

Needs more consistent approach and technique as tackler.

Sources Tell Us

"There just aren’t many corners in this league who have his traits and his man-cover talent. I think he's got a chance to be special." -- Personnel executive for NFC team

Hello and welcome to draft week here on the huddle. We have a boat load of new members here. As such, I wanted to reiterate the Huddle draft rules.

1. A mod or admin will create a topic for each pick. Example: Round 1 - Carolina Panthers Select _____________. This will be the topic for discussion and reaction about that particular player.

2. Duplicate threads announcing the pick will be deleted.

3. No tipping or spoiling picks. Some of us enjoy watching the television and not scouring twitter to learn who the pick is 30 seconds in advance. Once ESPN or NFL Network announces the pick it will get posted.

Please, please, please if you are going to make a thread try to make it a quality one with a descriptive topic and at least a paragraph of your opinion. Every year we delete dozens of poorly created threads that offer no substance.

It is going to be a fun few weeks between the draft, OTAs, minicamp. Finally some actual content. Enjoy.

I don't believe the Panthers will be drafting a QB with pick 8, but there is absolutely no up side to saying publicly that they won't. Other teams need to know as little as possible on our plans. Uncertainty will keep pick 8 as high a value as possible if we were to trade it.

Hello my loves. I hope you are having a splendid week. Today, for you, I have my official 3 round mock draft for the Carolina Panthers. 

It is as follows. 

8. Penei Sewell - OT-  Panthers lock in on their stud left tackle for the next decade. 

39. Trey Hill - C/G - Versatile guy that would start at guard this season, center next season. 

73. Richie Grant - S - Ball hawking safety that could likely start week 1. 

Here you have 3 players that would very possibly be available at the Panthers selection that would immediately start week 1. You can't ask for much more out of rounds 1-3. 

3 minutes ago, hepcat said:

Panthers are gambling big time

A second round pick and a rookie contract isn't gambling big time. Teddy was much more of a gamble. 

Spent some time watching all of Darnold's throws over the past three seasons. My thoughts - 

Pros - 

- Decent job buying time with his feet and throwing a strike. Excels when rolling out and just balling. 

- Decent arm strength. Not great, but good enough. 

- Solid pocket presence. Steps up well when pressured. Good feet. 

Cons - 

- Throws really bone headed interceptions. Just doesn't see defenders sometimes. 

- Confidence. You can just see it dwindle as the games go on. 

Conclusion

Doubtful he will ever be an elite QB, but he may be a good QB for a long ass time if the Panthers can coach him out of his bad habits and teach him how to watch film and gameplan for defenses. 

Hey there, just a heads up.

I'm going to be annoyingly optimistic about Sam just as I was with Teddy because it is way more fun and life is too short to be a constant sour puss. 

Sorry, not sorry.

Love,

Your Ruler 

My stance is the exact same as last season. Excited to see what he has. Support him fully. Hopefully he improves and grows into our next franchise qb.