MHS831

I really question what the GM in Seattle is doing. He's worse than Jerry Jones.

UPDATE: (Been outside today) Cooper Kupp to Seattle....Myles to Dallas--Jerry Jones basically swapped a 1000-yard rusher at age 26 for Myles Sanders. Wow.

I think, personally, that these rankings are off and I have heard that he has been climbing boards--never ruled out trading back. Thanks for this list--this is interesting, but I (personally) think they are wrong. I think someone comes out with a ranking and most of the others use that as the gold standard. Golden was a guess on my part, but WR is the point I am making--I think we go WR in round 1, and I think Golden (as a shocker) might be the pick over others with higher rankings. If I am wrong, I will forget about this thread and move on--but if I am right, you will all have to block me....

I never specified that we would draft him at 8. I said "first round." The whole point of this was that we don't have a top 30 with any top WR right now and we have 2 needs and we did not address WR (so far) in free agency. They have pro days.

Interesting. Here is what I saw and never questioned: However, NFL Network calls him a free safety, and he has spent 3 years as the deep safety. That makes me feel better about the signing.

I think we could trade back but his stock has been rising. It could be TE--they did talk to Mason Taylor--and I like him as well.

Golden is small and fast. Morgan's NFL career was spent watching a teammate (3rd rounder) rip defenses apart for a decade--and he was small and fast. You never know how a type can influence your opinion of excellence. Again, Golden is probably a value around #15-20, but his value in late April could be around #10. The real point here is how they seem--looking at the visits and free agency--to be ignoring a position that is a priority need. Golden was my guess because I do not see any other WR in round 1 that might meet their specs. Gonna be fun.

We could trade back, which would explain the secrecy. If you trade back and a team knows for whom, they can leapfrog you

I did not mention a trade down, but that is what I would do. If that is the plan, Morgan would not tip his hand-

I think Golden's stock is improving and Dan had a smallish outside WR when he played -- maybe that is in his head. Of course, this is all a talking point, who knows what they are doing, but it seems as if they have IGNORED WR so far--and that is strange. Of course, we are not in the know. Just a bunch of seagulls fighting for scraps.

First of all, this link of meetings and visits is pretty awesome--hope it is maintained: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_BTyWxt0xO8V4iye0omWMD879YJdnJdO0i6j8mT6htc/edit?gid=0#gid=0 The tea leaves, without further ado: In free agency, we addressed the following positions (it does not mean we are finished, but I will offer my take which is valued wisdom on this board--you are welcome. My theory is not based on what the Panthers did in free agency, it is based on what they did NOT do. After reviewing how we addressed positions of need, I will, through the process of elimination, take you toward a mind blowing conclusion that will alter the way you look at the Panthers, their front office, their coaches, and women in tights who apparently are proud of things that others do not find appealing. WE ADDRESSED-- The Defensive Line Signed: DE Tershawn Wharton (three years, over $54 million) Signed: DT Bobby Brown III (three years, $21 million) Tendered offer to exclusive rights free agent defensive lineman LaBryan Ray (I was not a fan of this move) The Panthers were very aggressive out of the gates going after Milton Williams and then pivoting to plan B that landed them a pass rushing DE (probably to rotate with Robinson and Brown) and an undervalued NT in Bobby Brown. Tea Leaves: The Panthers saw DL as their biggest need and they probably wanted veterans in that role. Graham is perhaps the only DL they'd take at 8, and he is likely to be gone. I am not a fan of Ray, but we shall see. The Offensive Line Re-signed: C Austin Corbett (one year) Tendered offer: restricted free agent center Cade Mays Re-signed: OL Brady Christensen (one year, $2.8 million) Securing Corbett was a financial decision that gives us either an adequate starter or depth. I am high on Cade Mays, and with BC on the roster, we are three deep at C and he gives us depth as a swing T as well. Will we draft Moton's successor? I am guessing not on day 1. Defensive Backs Extended: CB Jaycee Horn (four years, $100 million) Re-signed: CB Michael Jackson (two years, $14.5 million) Signed: S Tre'von Moehrig (three years, $51 million) Locking down Jackson for the next two seasons was a huge signing at a good value. Horn? He better stay healthy. Moehrig is a physical, run stuffing S that should influence who we start at Free Safety, based on the style of play he brings to the defense. All of these DBs are good tacklers, a common theme. One could argue that we have our starters in Moehrig and Richardson, who played well as an UDFA last season, but a Free Safety could be on the menu. Linebackers Signed: EDGE Patrick Jones II (two years, up to $20 million) Signed: ILB Christian Rozeboom (one year, $2.5 million) Edge is still a need, but with Clowney, Wonnum, and Jones as locks on the roster, I imagine that edge will be a priority in the draft. However, I am not sure they will look first round, when it is more likely that the Panthers target a second round edge, perhaps using a fourth and fifth rounder to move up. I think Rozeboom was a bigger signing than most realize now. They have met with quite a few day 1 or 2 edge players, but I think they will, with Clowney on the roster, a more developmental edge with upside. Princely Umanmielen, Donovan Ezeiruaku, or Josaiah Stewart should be there in the second round. They have met with Jalon Walker (not shown on the link I shared--combine) and Shemer Stewart, so the first round is not out. Other depth offensive players: Running Back, Tight End, Quarterback Signed: RB Rico Dowdle (one year, $3 million) Re-signed: TE Tommy Tremble (two years, up to $16 million) Re-signed: QB Andy Dalton (two years, $8 million) Dowdle was a steal for that price, and it indicates a commitment to the run, as does the signing of blocking TE Tommy Tremble. Dalton is paid to be Bryce's BFF; good work if you can get it. Aside from UDFA candidates, the Panthers have only met with 1 TE, Mason Taylor, at the combine. As of this writing with the info I have, there is no interest in first round TEs--Mason had a great Combine. Special Teams: Punter and Gunner Signed: P Sam Martin (one year, up to $3 million) Re-Signed: WR Dan Chisena (one year) Here, I put Chisena in as a gunner because he would fill that role primarily and serve as an emergency WR. And that brings me to my point. Wide Receivers: Group Photo I find it quite odd that Wide Receiver was not seriously addressed in free agency. I find it VERY INTERESTING that they gave Adam Thielen a raise (probably to keep him from retiring). Why might they do that? They knew they were going to ignore WRs in free agency and they were going to focus on a player in the draft. AT might have reacted when he saw the lack of attention in the free agency--I dunno--but if he retired, it would leave them with Coker and XL and no free agents, save a special team WR who has not been an offensive player. GOING INTO FREE AGENCY, WIDE RECEIVER WAS A HUGE NEED--we needed a true #1. Most do not think there is one in the draft, and it seems the Panthers did not think they could pay a free agent who wanted to play #1 here--especially when they weren't #1 WRs elsewhere. Now take a look at the WRs on the Panther's meeting/visit list. Bech at the Sr Bowl. A third round slot WR. The rest are UDFA candidates. Are we hoping to find a Coker again? Is that the plan? THE THEORY: Of course, this can change with the next Newsbreak on NFL Network, but it is my gut feeling that there is a WR in this draft that the Panthers see as a true #1 WR that meets the deep threat criteria. In my view, it is not TMac. The evidence: The Panthers are obviously hiding their interest in wide receivers, based on the information we have. Why would a team have 2 needs at such a tremendously important position for your young QB and not meet with any legitimate top WR? In fact, they have not re-signed Thompkins or Moore. And all we know is the Panthers have contacted perspective UDFAs and a third round prospect from the SR Bowl? The silence is deafening. The Panthers are going to draft a WR in round 1. That WR, based on what the Panthers say they need, is Matthew Golden, a 5'11" burner (4.29 40) from Texas that will back the safeties off the LOS and give the defense fits and concerns. He aced the 2025 NFL pre-draft process. The Longhorns standout was downright electric at the NFL Combine. Golden ran a position-best 4.29-second 40-yard dash, the second-fastest overall result of any prospect in attendance. He also ran the fastest 10-yard split (1.49) among wideouts.

Rod Woodson, Ronnie Lott, Q. Jammer, Charles Woodson and Jason Seahorn changed from CB to S as they aged--not sure how many others have. Not a recent trend. You bring up a good point. Does BPA include position value? For example, if you have a need at TE and Edge, and TE and Edge are rated 1 and 2 on your board when you pick. You know edges are more rare than TEs; you can get a TE later who is 80% the player in round 1 is, but an Edge later is 40% of the player in round 1 was---so when you are selecting BPA, do you do it as an isolated incident without regarding the players later? If we follow a pure BPA strategy, we could be drafting Jeanty, RB. If BPA was always applied by all teams, it is statistically probable that a team would draft 4 or 5 players at the same position. So there has to be some "big picture" approach. In fact, if a team takes an edge, for example, they remove all other Edges from their boards--that is needs-based shopping. It is an interesting point--where is the line between BPA and need and position availability? If you look at the cap, you would take an Edge over a TE on the board because edges are more expensive--you save more money. I have never been convinced that BPA is the golden rule--except when all other variables are equal. Great to hear other takes.

I think free agency should be to fill holes, but the draft is where you find your stars/elite players. Here is why, and it is mathy. I majored in English/Journalism. I draft Williams and get him for 4 years at $2m per. I then sign him to a $26m 4 year contract. Williams was my DT at an average of $14m per year for 8 years. I sign Williams as a free agent for $26m, I get him for 4 years and during those four years, paid him an average of $12m more than average over 8 years...Hold on, there is more. If I draft Williams at $2m per year for 4 years and then let him enter free agency, you could argue that I got a bargain, but if you look at the arc of a typical career, you allowed a developing player to occupy a roster spot and you paid $8m for him to go to another team during his prime. You become a farm team for the other 31 teams. So it is best to draft and keep your players--and not overpay for free agents or let your developmental talent walk. I am dizzy now.

I learned a new word today. If you expand your vocabulary by one word every day, you'd be a wordy...languagistician?.....vocabularian?....a person who knows more words than before.

I checked, MrCompletely--this source (ForJimmy) is very unreliable. Apparently failed his GED four times and was given a participation certificate that he illuminates in a brass frame over his fireplace. Never got in any games when he played football when he was younger; in fact, was not allowed to warm up with his teammates--forcing Pop Warner pee wee football to implement a rule requiring all kids to at least play once per game. He was injured the following week on an onside kick in pregame warm ups. to avoid being friendless, joined the Carolina Huddle in 2011 where he is actually one of the elite, more popular, high functioning members. Tucks his sweatpants in his socks. Photographed frequently by other customers at Walmart. Sorry--just started and got on a roll.

In the competitive arenas of social media, if you have news, you break it before anyone else does. If you want attention, you swoop in when people are anticipating news and tease them. This is a Panther podcast--not sure it is a good one or not--but it sure seems like clickbait. Anyone know this source?

I think the oldest free agent was 28--most around 26

Good call. I know that some of the best CBs in the nfl have made the switch successfully. Not to put him in that category, but I wanted to see the Panthers try Farley there-I can't figure out that situation---I hate that it has not worked out for him. Recently I was watching something on Rod Woodson who was a S in Baltimore, I think. He said that Safety is different because you have to read the entire field, wherein a CB just focuses on his zone area or man. I never thought of it that way, but in that regard, a FS is a lot like a QB dropping back for a pass. Of course, CBs often play with their back to the LOS and the FS faces it. But reaction time--how quickly can you process--is probably more important than foot speed.

Without Special Juan and Carolina Livin we'd be much dumber than we are right now. Serious Note: Anyone heard from Mr Scot?

Letting Moton sit there at $31m for 2025 has to be tough. It will be a good indicator of Morgan's discipline. We have players we can cut as well to get it back up another $10m or so. Nijman, rework Robinson or cut him, etc.

i hear XL has been working out this off season.

Very possible. I think Canales did a great job of describing what Richardson has to do--so it is not his yet, but when push comes to shove, their confidence in you determines who they go after to compete. If they draft the kid from South Carolina in the first, Richardson is probably a "swing S" who can (I think) play both spots. If that is the case, he would still need the communication skills Canales describes. To your point, you draft someone and have them earn it--but I feel better about S after my extensive, exhaustive research. (google)

Me too. I was excited to get him and Coker.

First of all, I LOVED what Canales said about him. He is looking beyond the on-field performance and into the mind of a leader--what he wants at FS. He is focused, it seems, on his emotional and cognitive development in relation to leadership. As an educator, I got chills. It meant to me that he is focused on holistic development of players. What a great analysis he gave to the press, and specifically, to Richardson. Richardson also had a 96.8 or so QB rating against him. Not great, but the guy he played behind, Vonn Bell, had a passer rating of 113.8. Bell also had 1 interception and fewer tackles than Richardson. Xavier Woods, for the sake of comparison, had a 93.8. So Richardson held his own against the Panther veteran safeties last year, but they are not the standard--they were not retained. However, Canales states what must be done, so I expect this offseason to be key for Richardson.

I had Demani Richardson in the Strong Safety slot, and that may have been an error. I have since found several references that refer to him as a Free Safety. If I was wrong, I apologize. However, as I researched him, I found encouraging news that tends to get lost during a losing season. I will highlight the parts of this that make me wonder if he, beside Moerhig, could be the second half of the starting safety tandem: "To watch Demani just continue to work at his game, continue to be asking the right questions and taking good coaching, and he's made plays, he's come up and made open field tackles, he's come up with interceptions, and those things like that… he's got so much he needs to work on," Panthers head coach Dave Canales admitted this week of his rookie safety. "He's got so many things that can be cleaner from a communication standpoint, accountability, playing his leverage, doing all the things exactly right. It's not just about making plays. It's about doing things right longer than the opponent, and that's the goal for Demani; that's the challenge for him. "He's got to realize the weight of this opportunity to continue to press in and to make it so that his teammates can count on him at all times. And so that's what I hope for him is that he continues to press in and strive, to be somebody that your teammates can count on and respect." NOTE: IT sounds as if he has been inconsistent but is working hard to develop into a good player, but it also seems that Canales is sending a message to Richardson. There was another article about Richardson that featured a teammate talking about how confident he has become (compared to earlier in the season) and that teammate said that Richardson had become more confident with his communications (I assume they are referring to his coverage calls pre snap). Tea Leaves: If your concerns about a rookie, UDFA safety is in the area of communication and becoming "somebody that your teammates can count on and respect," it seems they are looking for him to become a leader or starter. So why is Canales not saying much about his play? When he got on the field, he (statistically) played well. "This was, as mentioned, only the third start for Richardson in a rookie season when he wasn't expected to contribute much at all. But between injuries and lineup changes, he's found himself on the field more and more, playing 100 percent of the snaps in those three starts and accumulating 32 total tackles (6.4 tackles a game when on defense), two passes defended, and the interception. It seems that Richardson made an impression in 2024. Any player averaging 6.4 tackles a game on defense (unless that tackle is the guy you were covering) is impressive. PFF credits him with 42 tackles on the season. If you consider that he played a third of the snaps (Teammates Woods and Jackson had 1200), Richardson was on pace for 3 interceptions, six passes defended, and 126 tackles. I am not sure he was at free safety during that time because Xavier Woods played both. Regardless, Richardson will be in the mix for a starting FS spot if he gets his leadership, consistency, and communication up to par.