Icege

Nick Scott, to me, is coming back because the team is moving on from Sam Franklin Jr. Both are 29yr old with Nick being a 7th rounder out of Penn State and Sam being a UDFA out of Temple. Both play ST. Both are back-up safeties that can start for a game or two if needed (but should not be relied on for the entirety of the season as a defensive starter). I think the big thing separating the two is that Nick's deal this season is quite literally almost half of what Sam's 1yr deal was last season ($1,292,500 vs. $2,575,000). Wouldn't be surprised to see him and Chisena lined up as the gunners.

Somebody make sure they lock Blackmon in the building until he signs.

I think that this is where we diverge on this. Some see the 4-6 record during Bryce's development and decide that it justifies being miserly. Others look at that same record and ask, "Why was the record not better than 4-6?" The former is a straw man, the latter isn't. I mean... for Christ's sake we've got people in here complaining about signing Trevon Moehrig because of his PFF coverage grade which is wild when there's stuff like this just sitting out there about the strong (not free) safety: I get it. I'm not saying that folks have to be optimistic and joyful all of the time; that'd be insane (though constantly looking for reasons to stay sad/mad isn't exactly stable behavior either). If anything, folks could at least try to be better informed. "We went 4-6 during Bryce's resurgence, this team can't do anything right and it's all because of the owner and we'll never be good while he's around" isn't very informed nor is it trying to be. "Why did the team go 4-6? They had an historically bad defense that lost key pieces to start the season and the offense was leaning heavily on rookie playmakers outside of Chuba," I think we can all agree is a bit more of a balanced approach that leads to being better informed, more resilient towards bad outcomes, and less toxic towards other fans.

The problem with that theory is that the doom and gloomers will admit that things are looking like they might be getting better. We've already seen that's not true re: Bryce.

Please point these people and/or posts out because all I've seen is abject misery and pessimism. Having some optimism and joy would be a welcome change here.

I don't remember anybody liking it outside of some understanding that the team needed a pass rusher and there had just been a run on them. There was concern about his age and being a 4th-rounder that was new to the position. Being an older prospect and having been a former TE meant that there was going to be development required for an already older player. However, there were also a few older players in that draft due to COVID years. I don't necessarily think that's seeing things as perpetually sunny in the NFL as much as it's an accepting of a situation that as fans we have no control over. I'd also argue that not everything has to be perpetually miserable either.

Looking at the DL exclusively, they're adding DB, Wharton, and Brown III to it which completely replaces last season's starters. That leaves Robinson, Crumedy, Tuttle, Ray, and any other additions made competing for the three back-up spots. They essentially added a 100 tackle DT, the sack leader of one of last season's Super Bowl teams, and a true NT rather than an undersized one. I'm with you on the safeties. If Scott does return, I expect him to take Sam's role as back up SS/ST. Moehrig is the clear starter and a major upgrade... as much as I want a top flight FS, I have to appreciate the team prioritizing a run-stopping safety to fix record-setting incompetence over a centerfielder. Then when I consider that the Panthers get to play against Bijan Robinson, Alvin Kamara, and Bucky Irving twice a season... I can dig it. The situation at FS tho... I'm concerned that we might see more soft zone coverage if they don't find a starting FS. I'm finding it hard to believe that they're going in depending on Demani Richardson, but maybe his play last season makes them comfortable with adding another young body to compete against this season? I gotta dive into the tape and see for myself. Going to be veeery interesting

https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1903458756580593679 Can play both safety spots as well as ST... Sam might not be back. EDIT: Misread the tweet and updated the title.

We've only one draft as a sample size, but the current Morgan/Tilis front office has shown that while they're not only afraid to move up and down the board to land guys that they covet, but they also believe in this coaching staff's ability to develop players. This allows them to look towards the future while addressing the present issues as well. We saw this in last year's draft with taking a developmental X WR in XL rather than sticking Ladd McConkey behind AT in the slot. We also saw it in the move up to take JB since Miles was a likely cap casualty and Chuba's rookie deal was expiring. While there's room to debate on whether or not those moves have worked out, that's for every other thread. This one is specifically trying to see how the team might approach this draft. Current projections are putting the 2026 salary cap at $290M - $305M with the Panthers currently having spent $238M already (15th in the league). There is a healthy chunk of players set to hit free agency as well. For those unable/unwilling to click, here are some of the names listed: UFAs: Moton, Clowney, Thielen, Tuttle, Wonnum, Nijman, Mays, Corbett, Christensen, Dowdle, Rozeboom, Martin, Rhattigan, Jansen, Matthews, Chisena, Ray, Barno RFAs: Cherelus ERFAs: Coker, Richardson That's starters at RT, C, slot WR, both EDGEs, LS, and P with a few depth guys. There's also Icky's 5th year option (or extension) to get worked out should that be the direction the team goes. It starts to make sense why we're hearing reports of the Panthers looking at developmental RTs like Marcus Mbow (Purdue), whom they've met with. Having an RT sit and learn behind TMo for a year would be much better for Bryce's safety in the backfield than throwing a rookie out there. Center is another spot to watch for though that's a position I can see them waiting until next season since that rookie would be protected on both sides with the Lewis/Hunt duo. WR is going to likely continue getting love as that and CB are two positions a GM can throw a body or two at every season and not be wasting value. EDGE is the other, more obvious position group that they'll likely look to try and begin addressing with this draft. I don't think any of us want to see Johnson/Jones II as the starting OLBs in 2027... tldr; team might look to solve 2026 - 2027 problems by drafting a developmental RT in the 2025, need to spend a day one or two pick on finding at least one future starter at OLB, and continually throw bodies at the WR and CB rooms. Morgan/Tilis likely zeroing in on the OLB, RT, FS, WR, RB, TE, and CB groups for the 2025 draft.

I'm in the same boat re: Williams. He underwhelmed last season, even considering the ankle issue... but if the team makes him the pick, while I'll be disappointed for a moment, he'll be a Panther and have my backing. Would rather see the team try to move back and pick up an extra second rounder that they could package together with their other one to slide back up.

Kind of makes you wonder how some of those guys would've panned out with actual coaching.

Maaaan... if there was a draft to just ride it out with BPA, this year's feels like the one. Great depth without a bunch of top end talent. Just go get some good players and find ways to get them on the field.

Link to the article Level of need for each position group according to Joe Person: Low: QB, RB, OL, DL Moderate: WR, TE, ILB, CB, ST High: OLB, S Joe writes that he hears the Panthers have real interest in Mykel Williams (UGA) and that they should add another safety during the second wave of FA with guys like Marcus Williams, Julian Blackmon, and Justin Simmons still available. For the moderate groups: CB needs comp at nickel for Chau, could see more movement at ILB if there's concerns about Wallace's shoulder, WR needs another piece tho Tet might be a stretch at #8, and need at least one maybe two TEs but isn't convinced Morgan would take Warren if available.

ngl... it is funny af seeing the same people that swear a competent GM can find an RB at a gas station in Round O insisting that the Panthers take one in back-to-back drafts.

I cannot agree that a pick is bad just because a player gets hurt. That would imply that people should know that a career ending injury will happen which just isn't rational. There have been plenty of players that have torn their ACL and come back the following season and go on to have successful careers. Hell, this is the same team that believed in Thomas Davis after his third tear. Way, way, way too early to declare the pick good/bad.

I can't call drafting JB a mistake. Did the move work out? Not yet, and it's reasonable to be concerned that it won't pan out due to the re-injury. However, the team had zero RBs under contract for 2025 and Canales' offense leans heavily on the position. They also needed to give the young QB the team just made a heavy investment in a run game to help take some pressure off of him (especially after the previous season's poo show). Jumping ahead of the Giants who had just lost Saquon to take RB1 was the right move on paper. Sure, Frazier was there, but Mays handled things well (and posted a better PFF pass blocking grade) and JB looked like he belonged on the field until the re-tear. Sometimes, bad luck just happens. The team having not gone out and picked up an RB3 has me thinking that they're going to take one from this deep draft class. It will give them competition for RB2 if JB comes back the following year while giving the team a true three-headed monster in the backfield. Chuba's contract is also set up to allow for his release following this season (2026: $2M saved, 2027: $6M saved, 2028: $9M saved), so there's some moneyball that can be played as well by drafting another RB.

EJ Snyder's five gems: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State Jonah Savaiinaea, OT/OG, Arizona Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State Omarion Hampton, RB, UNC Brett Kollman's five gems: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary RJ Harvey, RB, UCF Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State Honorable Mentions: (Brett) Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State (Brett) Logan Brown, OT, Kansas (Brett) Tate Ratledge, iOL, Georgia (Brett) Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami (Brett) Woody Marks, RB, UC (EJ) Devin Neal, RB, Kansas (EJ) Jack Bech, WR, TCU (EJ) Jordan James, RB, Oregon (EJ) Moliki Matavao, TE, UCLA They said that Ashton Jeanty isn't listed because he's a bit of a superhero and they're going to be creating plenty of draft highlighting him leading up to the draft. Also said that there is an embarrassing amount of riches at the RB position this year.

Surprised it took as long as it did tbh. Decent vet depth that's familiar with the system and can play ST.

Good listen. I appreciate Mike pointing out that the Milton Williams situation wasn't a debacle but instead overzealous reporting. I also appreciate him pointing out that the HC and OC are both former WR coaches. If we don't believe they can develop WRs then what are we doing? Also lots of cold water being dumped on having to get a WR1 this year.

Throughout his entire career? Every player is hurt by the end of the season. You have the fact that he suited up for a meaningless all-star game sitting right there but you still doubt he'd have suited up for the postseason? That's not exactly rational. He played all of last season and was shutdown in preparation to make sure he'd be healthy for this season when he costs the team $25M. Holding that against him isn't rational. We can hold the totality of it against him, sure. Having two seasons where he missed over 50% of the games is something that needs to be paid attention to. To sit here though and point at last season as a knock against him? Nonsensical.

You're assuming that he shouldn't get credit for being shut down out of an abundance of caution when he participated in the relay race (1/30/25) + flag football (2/2/25) at the Pro Bowl? He was inactive for the Panthers' last two games on 12/29/24 and 1/5/25. He most definitely would have suited up if there was a postseason run coming. They also shut Josey Jewell down for the final two weeks along with Jaycee Horn. Robert Hunt was also out for week 18. Was it because they're injury prone and need special treatment too? That's ridiculous to assume. This isn't something uncommon for a team with a losing record to do. Hurney especially was notorious for it.

Missing LaBryan Ray (DE), Claudin Cherelus (MLB), Dan Chisena (WR), and Jordan Matthews (TE). DJ Johnson and Amare Barno are swapped based on where they lined up last season.

The "Horn has never finished a season" narrative is ignorant at best, willfully misleading at worst. He would've finished last season had the team been playing into the postseason. He got shut down out an abundance of caution, likely a lesson learned after losing Corbett at the end of the prior season.

I took a look at last year's visits/meetings and noticed a couple of things: Of the seven players selected, the first four had all met with the team at some point during the draft process. Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M was the last player the Panthers interviewed to be drafted. He went #152 to the Eagles. The Panthers took Chau Smith-Wade just five selections later at #157. Blake Larson, OT, Augustana (SD) was the only player that the team interviewed and wasn't drafted. He was interviewed at an all-star game (ie: Senior Bowl, Shrine Bowl, etc). Brooks, Wallace, and Sanders were all top-30 visits. XL the team met at an all-star game as well as had a local visit with him.

This is one of the many reasons for the 3yr rule. Average career is slightly over 3yrs, so at this point teams will know a player's contributions. Year One is getting acclimated as a rookie. Year Two is the dreaded sophomore slump. Year Three is the prove it year to see if they'll see Year Four. If they've made it to Year Four but haven't impressed, they're basically trying out for next season to be on ANY team. That's why all of the tit pinching over XL and Bryce has been so ridiculous to me. It's not like players developing isn’t normal.