MHS831

The only way I would trade XL for him is if I was DONE with XL and I thought a new situation might benefit Thomas. In other words, it is better to think you might have a problem in Thomas than to know you have one in XL. They were drafted at the same spot, fwiw, so the contracts are the same, basically.

I love this draft because they picked the right OL. It is possible that we have 2 rookies starting on the OL. I would take Utah's Lomu as well, but for those who think you find the OL in free agency and not the draft, here is all I have to say: We cannot give $110m to the 5 starting OL. We need an infusion of youth on the OL as well. If Ickey returns and can play, I imagine that he takes over for Hunt at RG--in 2027 or so. Currently, our 2 guards and right tackle make up over 20% of the total cap. We have to add 2 starters, but if Cade Mays was too pricey at around (anticipated) $8m, then we plan to draft a C, it seems. I think we draft an OT and C now because we will need a G or 2 and a RT soon. While they were good in 2026, they were not elite. For that kind of $$, we need elite. Is starting a rookie LT and C ideal? Nope. But if we can get better than Nijman and Mays, we should be OK. I think we will pick up an ILB in free agency and add an ILB. Who we draft (Mike or Will) will depend on who we sign. Rodriguez is a favorite of mine, but if Golday is there, Morgan is going to take him. Morgan will love him. I do not think we need to overpopulate the edge position right now because we have 1 edge returning from injury (Jones II), one rookie from last year ready to step up and could be really good (Scourton), and another who could be ready to step into the situational pass rusher role (Princely). 2 hold the edge very well and if we had a situational pass rusher to join Princely, we could be much better. I think rookies at Edge tend to jump considerably from their rookie seasons to years 2 and 3. (Charles Johnson, Mike Rucker, and Greg Hardy were that way-and all became very good in time. Safety seems omitted, but we shall see. That could be another free agent acquisition.

If you bring in a head case (and it sure sounds like that may be Coen's take on Thomas Jr), imagine what that might do to XL. WHen I see drops and a coach complaining about a drop in production, I think we should drop the idea. I see him going to Denver or Baltimore.

If a coach does not want a 23-year old WR who was a first rounder, I might not want him. It suggests the issues were mental and/or attitudinal. Just guessing.

Here is what I found: "Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen and WR Brian Thomas Jr. are facing scrutiny due to Thomas’s "sophomore slump" in 2025, characterized by high drop rates (5+), reduced production, injury issues (wrist/ankle), and apparent hesitancy in 100% contact."

me too--he is 23 and had a 700 yard season

So we are getting rid of our Ginger and possibly bringing in a Howell?

I was thinking Trey Lance (younger than Malik Willis--did anyone know that?). Howell, or Minshew. Then i was thinking they would draft a QB on day 3

Seriously--with Bryce's play and his looming contract, we better have a plan B and that is not a 40-year old Ginger. We need a player who can be developing this season so that we have options. The WORST thing that can happen is we have to give Bryce a big contract because there is no other viable option.

I have considered free agency. LT? Either not good enough or too expensive. Besides, this is a good OT draft. (I would rather have a free agent, mind you, but the Panthers' reality suggests we can't do it without neglecting other positions). What LTs are available in free agency, and what do you expect to pay? Any Ickey-level OT is going to cost over $20m. How much do we already have invested in our OL? I get your point, but I do not think you can spend over $100m per on your OL. We have 2 guards and a right T who pull in about $75m per season. We don't have a center yet. Teams just don't let good LTs hit free agency, and when one does on rare occasion, he is expensive. If you want a third of the Panther cap going to 5 Offensive Linemen, free agency is the way to go. We still need S, ILB, Edge, WR, etc. I think we'd need more than Nijman--and I would understand if we went free agent for a T--but that is putting a TON of your cap at OL--so considering our situation, I do not see that option as preferable. You may disagree. If I was not talking LT on our line and thinking about the cap, I would agree 100%.

good post. this is the season when I get stressed over the cap and then remember, it is not my problem.

I was going to make the same comment--better in coverage, only 27. Jags LB is going to be overpriced.

Great point.

I think Ignoring OT in round 1 or 2 is a mistake.