MHS831

To your point: An analyst (I forget who) said something interesting. After the first pick, the intriguing picks that could be "wrinkles" are the odd number picks: 3--Giants and Sanders/Carter, 5 Jags and Jeanty/Graham, (I would throw in #6 Raiders here and swap with the Jets, who will take OT Membou, and then the Saints at #9. I think picks 1-4 are set, regardless of what they are trying to do to pair the Giants and Sanders-- The drama is going to come from a trade--I think the Pats could trade, the Jags, the Raiders if Jeanty is taken at 5, and the Panthers.

I did not hear that. WOW

Are you referring to the benching and then starting and then benching and then cutting Jones? I am not as close to the Daboll situation, so I am genuinely asking. I remember when they hired Daboll, I thought it was a good hire. He had a good year, but when I looked over Schoen's record, I was like, "Who could win there?" The reason I ask, the Panthers nearly engaged in a very similar process with Young and Canales. But I am bullish on Jones, and think the Colts need to protect him and give him weapons--and he needs a RB and TE. the whole package. Funny, But Pat Shurmur (now Colorado OC) compares Shedeur Sanders and Daniel Jones. (I don't see it).

Frankly, I am surprised to see both still there. I wonder how much Jones was the fall guy within the organization. Schoen has made some questionable moves. I think Dabold is a good coach and Schoen is going to drag him down with him.

Here is my theory--The Giants are not 100% happy with their pass rush--15 sacks combined between Thib (6) and Burns (9). In 2026, The Giants will have to make a choice about Thib. They would then have 2 Edge rushers on second contracts--probably costing around $65m for both. Many teams want edge players; draft Carter and trade Thib. Carter's second contract would be due when Burns' contract expires. In essence, the Giants would have better Edge rushers at a cost of about $40m. You could probably get a high draft pick for Thib and save $25m. All that to say, "I don't think they are set at edge yet."

I see your views on Zavala (small sample size--17th game) and Mays. Depth is so important because it is rare to have all 5 play all season. Agree on RT--I think we need to start preparing for that now.

Assuming we draft Walker: Salisbury/Athens Ga, Charlotte/Raleigh, Alpharetta, Georgia/Columbia, Mullins, South Carolina/Columbia Our first rounders (except Bryce) have been within a 250 mile radius of Charlotte. Heck, three of them grew up right off I-85. Maybe our leased cars for scouts have a low mileage limit.

If the pick were going to be Mykel Williams, considering his lack of productivity, I would think the Panthers would attend the Georgia pro day. In fairness, Dan was answering questions being asked about Walker because so many mockers pick him. I think, if he is only an edge, then he would become a pass-rushing specialist and not a guy expected to hold the edge. I think he called the 8th pick a "talent wasteland" (I was listening). Wow.

Jeanty is the key, not Sanders, it seems. I realized that while I was doing my maff. Since T. Smith (Jets LT) retired and their RT is Morgan Moses, I see the Jets drafting OT---90%. If the Pats draft OT, and that is likely if Carter and Hunter are gone, then Jeanty going to Jaxonville would mean only Vegas needs to pass on him. I will be hoping for Jeanty to go to JAX for this reason....I think some podcaster said Jeanty odds to Jax (Betting lines) are improving. Here are the odds the last time I checked. 1. Titans: Miami quarterback Cam Ward is an overwhelming -20,000 favorite. 2. Browns: Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter is a -350 favorite. 3. Giants: Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter is a -300 favorite. 4. Patriots LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell is a -225 favorite. 5. Jaguars: Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham is a -130 favorite. 6. Raiders: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is a -125 favorite. 7. Jets: Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou is a -115 favorite. 8. Panthers: Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker is the most likely pick at +150. 9. Saints: Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is the most likely pick at +200.

what did he give up last year in terms of sacks at LT? 7--less than a half sack a game. The Panthers surrendered 36 sacks in 2024. That is 2.12 sacks per game. That is not bad. NFL average is estimated to be about 2 to 2.5 sacks per game. Since the average OL surrenders 2+ sacks per game, one could reasonably assume the Tackles surrender more than guards and centers. While I cannot find data per position, if Ickey is below the average for OL combined, it is safe to assume in terms of sacks that he is above average. Moton only had 1 sack while playing. So that means the guards / centers and subs surrendered 28 sacks.

There are very few players in this draft that don't have a concern that could cause someone to not like them---I think the longer a player hangs around the top 10 (beginning in February) the more their flaws could withstand the scrutiny. Some fall too far, in my opinion, and are thrown into the scratch and dent bin. Jack Sawyer (Ohio State) comes to mind, Shavon Revel (East Carolina), Restrepo (Miami). I wonder if it is not that we found things through research, it could be that we exploited trivial things. You can't measure the "it" factor. Those three just mentioned--I would have no problem drafting them at a discount. Restrepo ran a 4.8--not as big a deal as people think--he is going to be a chain-moving slot--he will be sliding underneath, finding a hole in the zone, etc. Great hands, great attitude. I take him in the fourth. Jack Sawyer is the high motor over-achiever. I think he can be a 8-10 sack guy, block a lot of passes, and hold the edge. I take him in round 3 if they let him fall that far. Revel could be one of the top 3 CBs--if he is there at 58, I take him. When the flaw is what you see when you hear their names, you are blind to their other talents.

Watching Jihaad Campbell on NFL Network---love that guy--smart, humble, charismatic--I see why interviews are such a big part of it.

gotcha. I was envisioning off ball as a LB who covers RBs and TEs or reads and reacts in situations where he is not rushing the passer as his primary responsibility.

Well said. The internet gives some people a false sense of bravado and the safety shield one needs to attack others without fear of recourse---fake names and anonymity is seen as protection from accountability and ass whoops. Defend your position with objective facts and respect the fact that others may not agree. It is not that difficult, but some try to use a discussion board to build their self-image. It makes me sad,

That is where I am confused because they talk about him being a hybrid, off-ball LB and edge rusher. In a 3-4, and off-ball LB would be one of the ILBs who drops into coverage or reads and reacts--and this could be because their descriptions are written so that they apply to a 4-3 as well as a 3-4. It seems if he is to be used as a hybrid, he would be a better fit in the 4-3 as a Will or even a Sam, but not the MLB. So if we are drafting a 6-1, 245 lb pure edge rusher, is Walker the guy?

Let's do math: If the Giants take Sanders (still some are saying they will--I do not think they will) at 3 it could get interesting. 1 Ward Tennessee 2. Hunter Cleveland (A need at WR#2 with Jeudy and an upgrade at CB#2 to replace Emerson) I also think they will watch Sanders and move up from 33 if he drops, but not in this scenario) 3. Sanders NY Giants (This is the hypothetical that could change the way folks are thinking. I do not think they do this, frankly, because they just signed 2 qbs. In addition, they have 2 edge players--but both will be paid second contracts in 2026, so the smart thing to do is draft Carter and trade Thibideaux. However, they just took a third or fourth look at Sanders so it could happen) 4. Carter New England (Everyone has Campbell going to the Pats because they need a LT to protect their young QB. Aging Harold Landry is their top edge and they were bad in that area in 2024. Take the elite edge over the short-armed OT--this is where it gets wonky) 5. Jeanty Jacksonville (Most mocks have Graham here, but there are whispers that the Jags like this dominant RB and will take him. All hell just broke loose if this happens) (This is going well for the Panthers so far if they draft at 8. ) 6. Walker, Vegas. (The Raiders have a need at RB they can address later, Edge, and WR--and I think they can address WR later. If Jeanty is gone, they could take Hampton or think Edge and take Walker to play across from Crosby. A few are saying that if Jax takes Jeanty, the Raiders are likely to take Walker, creating a situation where you have Crosby and the Micah Parson's project.) 7. Campbell, NY Jets. (Tyron Smith just retired. With a new QB coming in, many had weapon TE Warren hear, but nope--LT and one could argue RT are priorities--If Campbell is gone, Membou--either way, they are taking an OT). 8. Graham, IDL, Panthers. Imagine a DL with Brown, Graham, Wharton, Brown III, and Robinson. Imagine going live at Panther practices with the OL vs the DL. Id pay just to see that.

With Clowney, Wonnum, Jones on the payroll, I am not sure they draft 2 edges this year--but who knows. You could argue (your point) that Jalon fills 2 of those needs---but I need to watch more film (video) on him playing ILB--hard for me to get a read on him. Understand that since my first teaching job was at Salisbury High School and the head football coach and I (OL coach) used to go the Catawba and sit in the Bennett's office and talk football and watch film with the Catawba coaches--and Jalon's dad was one of them--then they went to Coastal Carolina to start that program--I feel an emotional attachment to Jalon (who was not born at the time). I also loved his interviews--seems high character--and I would love to see him on the Panthers' defense--if he fits. I think his versatility scares people because that is his strength, and lack of reps in one role might be perceived as being raw--There are about 3 players I do NOT want, and Walker is not one of them. (Stewart, Williams, TMac).

My problem picking Jalon at #8 when I mock--and yes, I engage in mockery quite often--I still feel the need to draft an edge and an ILB later. Maybe that is because I am not sure how he will be used.

I had no idea he was linked to sources around the league. Who knew?

We are doing the same thing on defense this year---

I really like Cade Mays at C---I don't think Corbett should be the starter without competition.

tweener syndrome is my guess. He is a solid player overall, but will he be a solid edge? solid LB? I can see how teams might devalue him--I did. I can say on my mock sites he is on the board in round 2 on one and he goes top 15 on the other. the more I think about it--try to filter out the stereotypes and bias--and the more Warren and Membou video I watch, it is hard not to stick with what you know will be closer to a sure thing. I doubt we go Warren, but a top OT is a long play that might be the smartest thing we could do considering the talent at 8. I am scared that we love Stewart or Williams--- I know people would storm the castle if we drafted, at 8, a player who does not start year 1. But I have a feeling we are going edge come hell or high water.

Yeah, you can cherry pick a person to death. Sims has his reasons, I just do not see his logic at times--but he knows more than I do. Sometimes you over research the best players and that causes you to focus on the questions--when the new flavors emerging are flaunting strengths.

Did not know that about Barron, but a nickel is more valuable than it was 20 years ago---I watched some tape (video) and I really liked what I saw. For us? I would take Will Johnson, just not at 8--maybe 11 or after---

For reference, zone cbs need quick reaction time, smart angles, etc. Josh Norman ran a 4.67 40. Barron is going to be the first CB taken, imo.