Seltzer

There is nothing that will make me happier a Panthers fan that to get the Bucs in Week 2 and get a season-defining win against the reigning SB Champions like we did in 2003. I just looked at the power rankings and absolutely no one is giving us any respect (most I've seen have us last in the division). But they did in 2003 also, and I feel we have just had the most transformative offseason we've had since that special season... Who knows what will happen, but I think we crushed free agency and the draft. This team (on paper) is much, much improved from last year. I tip my hat to Rhule and Fitterer. Our roster was one of (if not the worst) in the NFL last season before last year's draft... these guys have done a masterful job building it back up. Seriously, before the last draft, the only truly elite players on our roster were CMC, Burns, and maybe DJ Moore. We are a long ways from that... Rhule, Brady, and Snow need to earn their paycheck and coach these guys up, and we could be in a good spot at the end of the year. I think having the 17th game definitely favors youth and having better depth. For way too long, we have neglected quality depth in favor of trying to hit on more elite talent... and outside of the 1st round, it simply hasn't worked, and injuries have left us playing guys that shouldn't be out there

Yep. One or the other is better long-term. I also firmly believe part of the passing on Fields is to legitimately give Darnold a chance this year to see if he can become the guy he was projected to be. If Darnold fails, I think we will again be all-in on Watson (provided he settles his legal/civil issues) , and have better assets to facilitate a trade

Fair points... I don't think anyone should see Leno as the "answer" at LT, but I would feel a lot better if we signed someone like Leno or Okung for one more year to have an established veteran presence while Christensen and the other young guys continue to develop. I like Irving for his versatility, but I would feel much better having someone who is an established LT

Hoping that number is right... and that would give us plenty of cushion to add a few more quality guys to round out the roster, sign our draft picks, and still give some space to sign someone during the season if there are injuries.

This was the source I was using: https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/carolina-panthers/ Whatever the number is, it can go up when/if we cut Jansen by roughly $1M Even better if it's more in the range you are saying... where did you see those numbers?

Panthers currently have about $15M in cap. Need $5M or so for draft picks, so we have the means to add some more talent. Especially since the salary crunch from Covid is going to cause some of these veterans to take 1-year minimum or near-minimum deals

This afternoon is when the next wave of free agency commences, as teams try to round out their roster post-draft. Here is a list of some of the top prospects- In my opinion, OT, S, & LB are still areas we could address:

You're probably right... Fitterer should still vet the situation out

True... and Christensen might be great... just a tremendous amount of risk not to have someone you know can start at LT to begin the season. I would much rather have a dependable and proven guy like Leno (who has started every game over the last 7 seasons) even with a lower ceiling as an option than just rolling with Cam Irving, Trent Scott, Greg Little, etc. and hoping we can make do. Best case for everyone is that Christensen is able to lock down the LT spot... that's a huge ask for a 3rd round rookie though This is a tremendously improved roster outside of the glaring question marks that remain at LT and QB. And addressing LT will help QB

True... which is why we are going to need to be aggressive with the money (within reason) to convince him to come here Adding Leno with the other draft additions we've made would give us a legitimate O Line and would leave Darnold's development and performance the only real question mark (on paper) for a tremendously improved roster

Exactly. Way too much of a risk to go into the season without another option. I've read though that Leno's college coach is now with the Colts who also need a LT and they are the favorites to sign him... one can hope though

https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-charles-leno-20210503-tkjxs5xbyvfutmr3lkgxceksqy-story.html Has 93 Consecutive Starts in 7 Seasons. Being cut b/c of salary cap considerations. 2020 PLAYER GRADES NSE SNAPS PLAYED 10669th PENALTIES 6T-13th SACKS ALLOWED 5T-12th EDGE OVERALL 74.6 Hope Fitterer is on the Phone Now. We have the cap to get it done

I think David Moore is a near lock, and Shi Smith not too far behind. I think the final spot comes down to Brandon Zlystra vs. Keith Kirwood unless one of these other guy balls out so much in TC they can't deny them. I know Brady likes Kirkwood from the Saints days, but I think Zylstra is more versatile and a good ST player,, and thus a better use of a roster spot.

And you saw last year Rhule had no problem playing the undrafted guys over the drafted ones like Trent Scott over Greg Little, Myles Hartfield over Corn Elder, etc. when he thought warranted. I love it, and it's necessary for building the culture Rhule wants here

Zylstra is a good special teamer and better receiver. I don't think it's a contest

Fair point. Its amazing how completely the defense has been rebuilt since the end of 2019, but you are right about the team being judged by the O Line play and QB, considering how we passed on multiple LT prospects and Fields. On the other hand, if the O Line and Darnold play well, Rhule & Fitterer deserve all the accolades for turning around a team that was on paper arguably the worst roster in the league (on paper) pre-draft before the 2020 season I think this draft was incredible all things considered, and if Rhule can do the improbable and turn this team around around and to a SB in 2 years

I've agreed with a lot of your posts over the years, but I 100% disagree about this draft. I think all 4 picks in the first 3 rounds were solid, and I think Horn will be Pro Bowler sooner than later... he is that good IMO Passing on Fields is a legitimate complaint, and if he becomes special this overwise awesome draft will always be maligned. Trading back allowed us to fill much needed depth. I think this is going to be a much better deal this year with the 17th game. I don't know how at first glance this draft doesn't warrant an "A" or even "A+" given the needs we have addressed and the talent across the board we added (granted on paper for now) I think this draft sets us up nicely for next year's Free Agency where we will have a boatload of cap and can add some more top end talent to this young core. I still have no idea how this season will go, primarily bc Darnold, but at least on paper, I think this team is substantially more talented than last year's. And a large part of this is bc of this draft.

Tiki Barber had a horrific fumbling problem even as an early pro, but the Giants stuck with him bc of his upside and he became a 3x Pro Bowler and all time Giant great. Also, you're drafting on upside from here out... if a guy showed no holes, they would be long gone before the 4th... If he can be an adequate backup to CMC and contribute on ST, it's a good 4th round pick

Between Darnold, Horn, Marshall, Christensen, and Tremble, this has already exceeded Hurney drafts and is solid in its own rite. As someone else mentioned, the hit rate from Round 4 on is approximately the same. Unless their is a player they truly love, it's not a bad strategy to just load on picks and see which ones rise to the top, and cut bait or practice squad the others worth trying to develop

My thoughts on our biggest remaining needs: 1) Free Safety 2) Guard/ Offensive Interior 3) Defensive Interior 4) Power/ Backup RB 5) Inside Linebacker Your thoughts?

Well said. I understand why people wanted someone else, but CB was the most glaring hole on the roster after we traded for Darnold. Whether on not he is the answer is to be determined. Still, it became Twilight Zone-eque continually watching the defense not be able to get off the field on 3rd downs last year. A few stops would have made a difference even last year as many close games as we were in. Jalen Ramsey and Aquib Talib both gave their endorsements for what it's worth. If Horn can play like those guys, we will never regret this pick

Horn wasn't a ball hawk because guys didn't throw at him. It was like 2015 Josh Norman. He made the few cocky guys who tested him pay and then QBs basically stopped challenging him. And he was a dominant player on an otherwise bad Gamecocks defense. He was covering guys for 4-5 seconds man-to-man. That bodes well for what is hopefully a potent pass rush

I would love to have a 2013-esque Defensive Line/ Front 7 that was so dominant that we could play undrafted guys like Melvin White and Robert Lester in the secondary and still be a top defense

Would fill the last major hole on the roster outside of LT heading into the draft. Richardson has never completely lived up to the hype, but I think he is still a starting caliber player. And I'm still down for Short too (at a much reduced price). Once we solidify DT, I'm feeling pretty good about the roster, especially on defense. Our secondary is still unproven, but there is a lot more talent to work with than at any point since 2017. I think Phil Snow made a lot of chicken salad with chicken crap last year, and I'm genuinely excited to see what he can do with more talent. Then it comes back to the offense... can we protect Darnold and can Darnold prove that the Jets held him back and not the other way around? We have the playmakers on offense to score if so. This year feels a lot more unpredictable than last IMO... I honestly could see anywhere from 4 wins (if Darnold sucks) to up to 11 wins (based on 17 game season) if Brady/Rhule can help Darnold become the QB he was projected to be. Darnold is obviously a much more boom-or-bust prospect than Teddy ever was or will be. We've all seen Darnold make the elite-arm talent throws but also the boneheaded plays that are almost as egregious as the Mark Sanchez butt-fumble... hopefully it's just the curse of the Jets But back to the point, I would be totally cool with a 1-year deal for Richardson, and I'm sure Fitts & Co are looking into it... Burns, Brown, Richardson, and Reddick is a legitimate D-Line... Shaq, Perryman, and Chinn is the most intriguing LB corp we have had in a while I'm still not sure how the secondary ultimately shakes out, but that would be a massive improvement for the Front 7 at a minimum.

Important to remember. Tepper still wants Watson