MHS831

https://www.panthers.com/team/players-roster/# Reading tea leaves here: After watching the call to Zavala video, based on the comments of several people (Tepper, Reich, etc) in the war room (about playing beside Icky again), I cannot help but think the hope/plan is to start him at LG. Of course there will be a competition, but the absence of T depth is noticeable, and Christensen was the "weak link" on the OL last year. His superior athleticism is sorta wasted at LG. He had a 56 PFF score (from memory) which is not good or elite--it is around average or slightly below it. I think BC helps this team more by playing #2 LG and swing OT--and it seems like that is the plan, despite what they said about the USFL etc.

Before the spider bite, after the spider bite....

It is nearly impossible to know how good this defense is going to be---new Coach, Coordinator--7 new free agents, 2 new draft picks--It depends on the system and chemistry.

Reminds you of the Kam Chancellor selection in the 2010 draft--the one that formed the foundation for the Seattle Legion of Doom defense. Earl Thomas (1) and Kam Chancellor (5th round) were taken in 2010. Richard Sherman was drafted in the fifth round in 2011. We have been so focused on offense, we may not have been paying much attention to what has been going on on the defensive side of the ball: 7 Free Agents, 2 Draft picks.

In all likelihood, our roster (15 free agents, 5 draft picks, and probably a few more free agents-undrafted or others) will approach 50% new players by September. That is a lot of turnover. At least we are weeding out the Temple, Baylor players.

Draft season sure does bring out the fair-weather experts and trolls. You have to wade through them, I suppose. We should have a list of them so everyone can just block them.

He was trolling--as you are, newb.

Leota, Redmond (both with 5-6 round grades) and Wright (who had a 4-5 rd grade) could make this defense. I was upset about not finding a CB in this draft, but Wright can play inside or outside and I think he was a sleeper. My favorite? Leota.

There are five who have a shot, imo. With a new system, new staff, and some expunging going on, there are an unusually high number of opportunities--and that does not happen annually. What do the following Panthers have in common?: Brad Hoover Fred Lane Andrew Norwell Nick Goins It happens, and "getting excited" is your phrasing so that you can make a point and feel smart. Discussing possibilities is what this board is for--so if you do not want to discuss these players, why did you click on a thread entitled, "Official UDFA thread?" Please explain your need to do so.

Not that they are no longer fits, I just don't think some were that good. Franklin, Teckenberg, Roy--all could be gone under this new bunch. If all the free agents make the team, and the draft picks, and I honestly think 4-5 undrafted rookies have a shot--that would be about 24-25 new players. Hard to imagine.

I don't know about Mingo--the draft just does not have WRs like him, and with the success of the two examples provided, he would not have lasted long--many teams want the next Metcalf or Brown, and many teams were thirsty for WRs in a weak draft and free agency market. He was a piece that we did not already have, and who knows who would have grabbed Mingo if he dropped. The draft is full of surprises-- Setting the edge is important-- YGM, Johnson, and undrafted signee Leota to go with 3 speed rushers (Burns, Haynes, Barno).

In my uneducated view of this right now, the current roster is a big question mark. We added 15 free agents, just drafted 5 players. Of the players we drafted, I would guess that most if not all will make the roster. Young: Lock Mingo: Lock Johnson: Lock (I know some do not like him, but they know he is a project for a season, so that season is guaranteed, imo) Zavala: He has a chance to start. I think there is nothing they would like more than to move BC to swing Tackle and giving Ekwonu his old LG to team with from college. BC did fairly well last season, but I think his athleticism is lost at G. I see him as the Taylor Moton RT job heir apparent (Moton will be very expensive in 2 years)-so it is a difficult decision. Mays is a good backup G and C. In two years, he could be the next RG. So if Zavala can win the starting LG job, we have depth and can reload to avoid cap issues--keeping Young safe and secure. Jammie Robinson: With Woods, Chinn, and Bell at S, this could come down to a competition between Robinson and Franklin. Franklin is not under contract in 2024, and his salary is only $1m. I think the last of the Temple players could be gone. THE UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS I see the possibility of the following making the active Roster: DE: Redmond OLB: Leota CB: Wright ILB: Pool RB: Peoples If that were to happen, we would have replaced nearly 50% of the Rhule 2022 roster in 1 season.

I get the feeling that we are going to look very different at CB next year. I read someone had Rowe playing CB/Nickel. I see 2 of the Undrafted Free Agents with legitimate chances to make the roster. Rezjohn White and Richardson (who was offered a $10K signing bonus--not sure what that means) could compete with Taylor and Thomas-Oliver III--maybe Henderson.

The Safety Position sure seems to be an area of focus. We signed Rowe and Bell in free agency--we already have Chinn, Woods, and Franklin. Then we drafted Jammie Robinson and signed this "in the box" safety. I imagine that this S could be converted to an OLB--but we will see. He is 6'3" 210 right now, and ran a 4.85 40 (Yikes). Nico Bolden, S Strengths: Large safety who has been a dominant run defender the past two seasons. Quick to diagnose, immediately locates the ball handler, and fires out laterally defending the run. Take proper angles, has an explosive closing burst, and drives his shoulders through opponents. Sized well, aggressive, and plays through the whistle. Quarterbacks the secondary and gets teammates in proper position. Weaknesses: Possesses average speed and marginal ball skills. More of a downhill safety. Overall: Bolden totaled 188 tackles the past two seasons and comes with terrific size. He’s more of a traditional strong safety, though he should be able to play in a zone system and offers special-teams potential. Tony Pauline is an NFL Draft Analyst for Pro Football Network. You can read all of Tony’s work here and follow him on Twitter: @TonyPauline.

Can I borrow your crystal ball? Of course they probably aren't NFL players--most aren't. The story is in the journey, not the destination.

I was going to take the bait and say, "Don't worry. They're here."

Lot of attention paid to the S position. Starting to see a "type."

If he can take BC's job at LG, then BC becomes our OT depth as the swing T. Then he takes over RT when Moton's contract hits $30m. At G, we then have Mays (who looked good in brief duty last year) and Corbett--and McCray behind Zavala and Corbett. Mays and McCray can play C and G.

that is a good story. I will follow them

My feelings about Hubbard: we need a good pass blocker and pass catcher at RB--I would like for him to catch passes to him--with Young, the checkdown will be a play---he needs to catch the passes. We talk about the OL protecting Bryce a lot, but the RB is the last line of defense on some pass plays--I see Hubbard as being 1 dimensional. I was not clear. My point about the others--compete. It makes you better.

I have no idea where they will land, but I see 5 or so who have a chance---I know some will go to the PS and others will be put on IR, but people like Barno, Smith, Hubbard, Henderson, Taylor, etc. need to step up or step out. The word is out--3 Edge players, 3 CBs---blood in the water.

Juan, you did a good job with this thread.

not good when the first third of your highlight video shows you getting fired up between plays.

He has an injury history, but he is that bigger back we need. I agree. Love to replace Hubbard--not a fan This makes me wonder if not having a sixth or seventh rounder gave us enough time to call these players--maybe it is a better strategy than drafting in the sixth and seventh. Redmond was signed a few minutes after the draft---that was a done deal when pick 259 was announced. I also figured that we would sign Leota--from Asheville, visited the Panthers, there is a real chance to make the roster here.