MHS831

I joke about it, but I have seen some very positive signs. I will list the things that I have noticed that tell me this team is far past the Gettlemen 1 year contracts and the Fittmagic era of missing nearly every pick imaginable and signing terrible free agents. 1. They decided to bench Young after 2 games. (Pretty bold move, but not as bold as the aftermath) 2. They refused to trade or cut Young. (this was against everyone here--even after we'd seen 2 former QBs leave Carolina to find success on other NFC teams.) 3. Morgan used the offseason last year to build an OL and give Bryce some weapons to develop with him via the draft (XL, Brooks, Sanders). Even though his first two draft picks did not pan out as hoped, the OL signings were essential. 4. In the offseason, he let the Safeties go without brining them back. (We cannot see the S position much on TV, but they were not good) 5. In free agency, Morgan signed guys who were entering their primes instead of exiting. 6. The OL coaches are doing a great job developing players. Ekwonu, Mays, Zavala all showed dramatic improvment. 7. Canales is doing a heck of a job with Young, and I think Dalton has been a big part of that. Bringing him back was part of it. 8. THIS IS HUGE: Morgan did not kick the can down the road by extending contracts. He could have created cap room, but he pretty much stayed put. Many of these things have not happened before. Morgan is building the team to win consistently. Hats off. And Tepper is letting him do it. That is the key.

You may not realize that the NASCAR hall of fame is within walking distance. That'll reel her in.

By the hour or night or week?

Look at his size and athleticism. To me, he has TE written all over him. however, there is nothing to suggest that is what Carolina is thinking. From SI Carolina's interest in Smith is a classic example of valuing traits over college production. Smith has some great measurables, coming in at 6-foot-6, 238 pounds and having run a 4.63 forty and posting a 37" vertical and a 122" broad jump at his pro day. (That is nearly Cam Newton size and athleticism) He got injured, but at the beginning of the season, I predicted that he would have a breakout year. Seems as though his processing is suspect. Maybe an UDFA candidate

This is possibly a hidden gem. Sometimes the transferring combines with an injury and a talent slides through the cracks.

And the Saints were reluctant to re-sign Carr--but had few other options. So they re-sign him, give him a back-loaded deal, he might have to have season-ending (2025) shoulder surgery, and there are literally free agents left who are affordable and better than Rattler. In the weakest QB draft in a long while, they are nearly committed to drafting a QB the year before the QB Fairy delivers 10 or more QBs to the league, all of whom are better than $anders. Sanders needs a year to sit and learn behind a veteran, but this will force him to play right away. The Saints have needs on the OL, but Kellen Moore has mentioned offensive skill players. On April 7, a Saints podcaster shared these 2 quotes from Moore, insisting that he revealed their draft plans. To me, it sounds as if he wanted Warren before the Carr announcement: This screams Warren. The podcaster went on to say that they need a big bodied WR, mentioning McMillen. Then he said, "The Saints are going to draft Warren, TMac, or Sanders." You have to consider the fact that the coach is interested in calming players down before the draft. The Saints just gave Juwan Johnson a 3-year, $30m deal. He is trying to prepare Johnson for the Warren pick. This tells me that they were possibly not targeting a QB in round 1---until Carr's announcement. Just interesting stuff--nothing earth shattering here. If their list was down to 3 players, Sanders just went to the top of it.

And there is nothing in free agency except Rodgers--and I thought that first--steal him from the Steelers---but they can't afford him. They are almost FORCED to draft a QB now. It will likely cost them draft capital to move up or they can sit tight and take a chance Sanders falls. I wonder if this is tied to the reason Milroe was invited to the Green Room? They probably have known about Carr's shoulder for a while now.

I think he is one of the few WRs we have talked to--we do not need an elite DL and the edges we like are pretty much in the back of the first or second. I am starting to think we go with Walker, Williams, TMac, or Emmanwori

How is it that everyone knows who the Panthers like 2 weeks before the draft? We have had no visits, etc. with him--where are they getting these vibes?

I would take a third-if we don't, our bluff gets us nothing. So we are not helping a division rival by NOT dealing. Take the third, take Walker or whomever, and laugh when you get to the third round and take their pick

Could be---I am going to say they trade with Cleveland and take Sanders. This draft is shaping up to be a fun one.

sorry Captain--did not see the links--just the thread title. Wonder how this impacts the Panthers at #8? I am guessing the Saints move up---Jags maybe?

You gonna need some help eatin dem burgers?

Saints HAVE few options now. I hate the Saints. Rattler? Nope.

Emmanwori and TMac

What this chart tells me with absolute certainty: In the first round, we like Georgia's #11 or #13 at 8. However, TMac as the lone offensive player could suggest that he is the pick if on the board--if they liked him. the reason I think this? There are edges predicted to go in all other rounds that were met with. The others seem to be preparing for a trade back. I think Morgan wants to do that. We are definitely prioritizing edge over anything else in rounds 1 and 2. The overwhelming number of Edges/OLBs in rounds 1-3 might suggest that they are looking for two edges--or they are going to go after a WR and or S in round 1. For example, if Walker is gone, they might want to take TMac. With only 1 WR and 1 S mentioned in round 1, it makes you wonder if they are not being targeted. At WR, Noel is listed in round 2 and Sanker is the only other S listed, in round 4. Jon Snow's prediction that Emmanwori could be the pick in round 1 is supported by this theory. In a draft so overloaded at DT, the Panthers brought in Nolen (probably wondering if he drops to the second and if the rumors about his character are valid), TJ Sanders from the USC in the second, and Deione Walker, a NT from KY (I heard they liked him at SR Bowl) in the third. In other words, not a lot of DT attention in the first 3 rounds. However, of the 11 players listed as prospects in rounds 2 and 3, five (5) are edge players. We are taking an edge in rounds 1 or 2. I think, since only 1 WR and no safeties are listed after round 1, they will be flexible in round 1. They cannot be flexible with S based on this list, unless Sanker in round 4 is more than a fallback. Here is the dilemma--if they take an edge in round 1--based on this list only--does that force them to take Noel in round 2 and Sanker in round 4? Big dropoffs if you consider that Princely and Swinson and Kinnard will be there in rounds 2 and 3? The lack of focus on WR is alarming. Of course, teams could use visits to analyze character because red flags are flying. Nolen, TMac, have questions. DL seems to pick up steam at pick 140. In fact, South Carolina has 4 DL on this list (most are local visits). What do I get from this? Taking a S in round 1 makes sense and the rest of the draft seems to fall together. Trade back is ideal. In round 1, we seem to be focused on Jalon Walker (LB) and Emmanwori (S). TMac is a real possibility, allowing them to focus on D from here out. Round 2 will be an edge-maybe even if we take Walker. However, if we do take Walker, Round 2 could be Noel (WR). Round 3 I think, based on this, the Panthers will take Knight (LB USC). I think Morgan will love him. Walker (NT, KY) is also on the table. Round 4 If they missed Emmanwori in the first round, Sanker is taken here. I would also expect them to draft Trapoli (OT) a RT with excellent pass blocking skills. Round 5 The Panthers seem to like the depth of this draft at DL enough to focus on DT depth with picks 140 and 146. DTs Cam Jackson and Pegues are listed. Both would be steals here.

This was cool. Thought I would post it separately:

Good thread, S&P

Yeah, I think we'd have trade options--we tend to devalue players that we dont need. Jeanty would be a hot commodity at 8, for example.

Honestly, that was my first thought, but then I changed my mind.

They sure seem to be interested in a lot of players WE THINK might be on the board around the Pittsburgh pick, but our boards are rarely that accurate. Mykel (debatable), Nolen, Nick Emmanwori, etc. I sincerely believe the theory that Pittsburgh would trade up for Sanders. If he falls past the Giants, I don't see the Raiders or Jets taking him. Because of costs (draft capital) I do not see the Steelers moving up to #5 for example either. #8 is perfect---however, I think Sanders is a bust waiting to happen-decent qb--but so is Will Howard. I think he is the product of his father's hype. I hear he was "meh" at the world premiere of the Colorado talent showcase extravaganza!! So maybe his going to New Orleans would benefit the Panthers more than the trade. I do not hate Prime-loved his skillset as a player-I do not hate $hedeur $anders, I simply see him as the most sheltered, hyped, marketed player in league history-with the best WR in the NCAA-and I think the NFL will be a huge challenge. He and his Dad get credit for turning around Colorado's program, but Colorado's schedule was very soft-- They barely beat NDSU Unranked (at end of season) Nebraska beat Colorado by 18. Colorado scored 10 points. Colorado then beat unranked Colorado St, Baylor, and 4-win UCF. Unranked Kansas St beat Colorado Colorado then beat 4-win Arizona, 5-win Cincinnati, 5-win Utah, and 3-win OK St. Colorado did NOT play the top 3 teams in their conference (Arizona State, BYU, Iowa St) until facing BYU in the post season Alamo Bowl. BYU (ranked 17 to Colorado's 23) won the game by 22 points. The point? Entering this season, Prime pulled in 23 players through the transfer portal. He had the Heisman trophy winner on his team, the best WR and the best CB in the nation. Sanders was the "Best QB in the country." 5 of their 9 total wins were against teams that had only 5 wins or fewer. 1 win was against a FCS (I-AA) team Their 3 other wins were against non-ranked teams. The only ranked team (end of season rankings) they played (the 17th ranked team in the nation) beat Colorado by 22 points. They were overrated and had a soft schedule. This helped SS's stats and made the Colorado story seem magical. It was not. Sanders was not a difference maker. All this to say the Prime is great at getting himself on the front page. People are buying it. CU just gave him a huge contract and the NFL kicked the tires. Aside from convincing 23 players to transfer (it helps when the networks follow your every move) and getting a soft schedule, they had Hunter and a decent college QB. Better that Dart? probably. Worthy of a top 10 pick? Not in my view.

Another reason for my liking Membou, besides the fact that Moton's knee is suspect (did not play the entire season last year), he is getting old, and he will be on the last year of his contract: The QB market is loaded next year. Not only does drafting Membou make you younger and saves about $24m per year in RT expenses (in 2026), it would give you a solid line should we have to replace Bryce. Young had nine nice games, but if he requires a $100m OL to be productive and will ask for $60m, that is more than half the cap at 6 positions--not including TE, WR, and RB. Yikes. So we will not be able to re-sign Moton regardless; we will extend Ekwonu and probably give him $35m per. But lets say Bryce does not show us enough in 2025 to give us confidence moving forward. If you draft the RT NOW, you have a solid OL for a new QB to play behind. Note how the other teams like New England have been scrounging around for a T--if you don't get one early in the draft, you don't get one. Is Christensen (on a 1-year deal) the answer? He will want vet starting money and he'd be a downgrade. We'd have to choose between drafting a QB in the best QB draft in history or drafting the RT. Of course, we take the QB and have a glaring need at RT. This might get that QB injured. Even if Bryce works out, we still need to cut our OL costs in half. So looking beyond 2025, I see the value in taking the less glamourous best player available. We know we are losing Moton--if his knee gives out before 2026, we'd have depth. If it does not, we have options, such as trade Moton to a team with a desperate need at T.

No changes on my like meter---I really like that S and I think the Panthers do to. He and Moehrig would definitely change the culture here at S--Basically, we'd have 2 hard-charging, linebacker Safeties and both with the ability to play center field. Richardson could play the big nickel while Smith Wade plays the nickel/dime. I definitely see it--and you have to consider more than the player's skill set and how he ranks vs. other positions--that is really impossible to gauge. He is the best S in the draft--and S is a huge need--and if I am not wrong (you know that never happens) he would be a great fit.

Before I look at the other picks-- First, this should mean that we get a trade offer from Pittsburgh, based on rumors. I take the trade. If not, I take (and this will get you all riled up) ROT Armond Membou. I do not think we have to reach for a defensive player. Membou would not be popular, but Moton has a bad wheel and is in the last year of his contract. We could cut Nijman and maybe trade Moton for a WR. We'd get a really good OL and not have to worry about finding a T next year. BPA baby. Don't reach. the second round has edge players. The third has DL. We'd simply need a WR and S, and Richardson was not bad in 2024.

You are right. He can stand or grimace or clear his throat. In the past, he has been the first guy on the phone. I am not sure other teams do it. I think he will be there, but it will be interesting to see (if we do or can) how it is handled.