MHS831

No, I was referring to having the #1 pick already. I think, in that case, you have to take the best QB if you don't have one. Trading up? We have proven we can't do that.

The only way I would want #1 is to take Ward (if he turns out to be the real deal) or trade back.

You too. Well, we are usually in agreement, unfortunately. Thanks for the outreach.

Probably a perfect #2 TE. His blocking has been better than I thought

AT is not coming back regardless--offer him an extension, and if he does not take it, shop him. This business of announcing a player is not for sale when that player is a cornerstone of a franchise that has won 3 games since August 2023 is ridiculous. Apparently the QB position at Carolina is haunted--we should not have laughed at Darnold. But when your QB sees ghosts, who ya gonna call? Sorry.

I said that last year when I focused on him. He was slow to react and not a good blocker--if he were, he'd play some Hback and help block edge rushers or he'd lead on ISO--we don't do that.

They really are all over the place, but I think Ward will be (by April) the first player taken. I have not really researched them, but I am very intrigued by Rourke. Ewers just seems like an injury waiting to happen, but he is mentally tough. Beck has all the tools. I noticed no Allar for you....I like his upside.

he is our best TE and will only get better. It is hard to tell since the Panthers do not carry a QB on the roster.

Hope you are healing and well.

40% of the OL is out. Our starting ILBs are out. Our best DT/DE is out. Our top OLBs (Wonnum, Clowney) are out. Mingo is a bust. We released our solid nickel and substituted him with a fifth rounder making rookie mistakes today. This is like watching preseason football.

Not so fast. I hear we are going to put Mo in the game in the second half. Mo Mentum.

He is our "blocking" TE....Helping us block out what winning was like.

I have not seen a lot of Washington, but we are a trap game for them (between Ravens and Bears)---we could take em down. Grrrr!

if you look back at the OL we had then--whew!

Yeah, he is being compared to these others coming out--some with five or even six years of college experience. At age 20, he sure seems to have a lot to offer.

Out of curiosity, what do you have to say about his being sacked 23 times in five games? You probably know him better than I do, but that was a red flag for me. Try to be objective (I am). What are his biggest weaknesses, in your opinion?

That is how I feel. The word "entitled" comes to mind, and that may not be his fault. His dad has already made the comment to the media that he should be playing for the Dolphins. Any time a QB is sacked 23 times in five games (not sure how he did last night) that could be a QB problem--not an OL problem. Again, a lot of this was by watching a few videos, reviewing stats, measureables, a few comments--not what I would consider scouting on any level--first impressions. But I am not sold on him. Cam Ward? All day. The others? Not sold yet.

I am probably most fascinated with Rourke out of Indiana. I disagree that some say Gabriel is a later round guy--I think he goes day 2 at the latest--but I have not put in the research yet--and when I do--I am often wrong.

This thread generated more than I expected. Hmmm. I like a good discussion, but you are all wrong unless you agree with me and I am right. I recall when we had Cam nut huggers on here and that was fine because he was a Panther. Now some are hugging on Sanders. He is a talent, but my point was, he takes a beating. His daddy has been heavy in the portal, has some great athletes, but still can't get a dominant team on the field. His son is sacked a LOT. In the NFL, that makes for a short career. Starter---blue tent---IR---uber driver.

I meant to post this in the Draft section--sorry for the mistake--not sure it can be moved. However, I try to give a different spin on things at times--This was my best guess how it could look by the end of the season, fwiw.

It is likely that the Panthers will have the first overall selection in this draft. In my view, Colorado's Travis Hunter is the best player and best prospect, followed by Tetairoa McMillan--the 6'5", 4.5 40, excellent hands and route running WR from Arizona. While you can argue that the Panthers do not want to take a QB and will draft a pass rusher/edge, you could be right--but how good were we with Burns and our current QBs? We need to draft a QB, but at #1 overall, can we move back and still get our guy? I think so, because I would be happy with Ward or Nussmeire. Here are my thoughts::: If navigating the draft, be aware of the other teams who might also need a QB (all with 1 or 2 wins except Steelers): Raiders (Probably the team that needs a QB more than ever. Tired of retreads--will be aggressive in the draft to get a QB) Titans (not sure Levis is the answer and I expect the Titans to go after a QB--watch out for Jones trade with Giants or DW in Cleveland; they have success bringing in a QB and turning him around) Giants (Wanted a QB last year; will definitely push for a QB this year. I see them as a trade up partner) Browns (so glad we did not sign DW---if you think the Bryce pick was bad...However, i expect Cleveland to stick with DW for 1 more season and upgrade their OL), Steelers (not sure the Fields experiment worked-but they won 4 lost 2. Great coaching. Dolphins (Tua's concussions will cause Fish to go fishing) My process when evaluating QBs: I consider traits and skills like leadership, injury history, release time, pocket presence, arm strength, accuracy, size, running ability, and I also consider supporting cast. I predict upside, longevity, and I ask myself this question: "Down by 5 with 2 minutes to go and no timeouts, who do you want as your QB?" My thinking--Trade back: I am not sure (after reviewing the stats) I want a dual threat, zone read QB. When we drafted Cam, I said (on the Huddle) that we'd be lucky to get a decade out of him. He was 6-5 and 250. "In 2010, the year before Cam Newton sparked the NFL’s zone read revolution, quarterbacks combined for 1,377 rush attempts, which includes both scrambles and designed runs. Last season, we saw more than 2,400 quarterback runs." Meanwhile, injuries to QBs increased. In this chart, you see the number of QBs that started an NFL game has gradually increased since Cam's entrance, and it really jumps when they added a 17th game. So you have to consider longevity as well, and a smart, disciplined QB that does not have to rely on his legs is perhaps the less flashy, long-term play. This might sound racial but it is not, at least in my thinking, because my rationale applies to concerns in Buffalo (Allen), for example. When a QB runs, the take a hit in most cases. They add up. Every time you are hit, you take a risk of missing time. So while buying a Ferrari is more exciting than a Honda Odyssey, only one will take the family where they want to go. (see source at bottom) So how do you keep your QB under center all season? You have a QB who can read the defense quickly, has a quick release, has quality check downs, and a STUD OL. If we get a stud TE and maybe another WR, we could find a QB who can play in this system without having to run 10-12 plays a game--and that includes avoiding sacks by throwing it away. So far this season, Sanders has carried the football 43 times--22 sacks in five games--but that also indicates a potential processing breakdown (which is why I factor in "supporting cast"). He does not throw it away. The result? -43 yards rushing and a QB who might take a beating. Ward has run the football less (25 times for 128 yards), which might suggest that he is wiser when choosing to run, but he has only been sacked 7 times in 5 games. We have so many needs (C, WR, TE, DT, Edge, S, and OT) and a strong OL, I think we can draft a pocket passer (with mobility) who is an alpha, smart, and checks a lot of boxes. Taking all this NAWLIDGE into consideration, and predicting where some of these emerging QBs might be at the end of the season, This is my speculative list of QB talent: 1. Cam Ward, Miami. So far, he is checking a lot of boxes, and if he continues to play well, he is a QB who does not seem to take a lot of sacks, can move, and is accurate. This one was easy. The rest? A bit controversial, but I live on the edge. 2. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU. 6'2" about 205. Who? That's right. Quick release, can throw on run with accuracy. Gamer. He has been on the bench behind a pretty good LSU QB (Daniels) biding his time and learning. Some rough patches early on, but he pulled himself out of them and finished games strong (see Ole Miss). That is character. Think "Tony Romo" with perhaps a bit more upside. His father was an NFL QB and a coach, so he breaths football. He could have gone portal, but stayed at LSU. Highlights from this season: https://youtu.be/IY4X7xxJJ9g?si=shssKWlGqqlRyCrH 3. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado. His completion percentage is gaudy. The problem I have with him, and you could blame his supporting cast, but he has been sacked 23 times in 5 games. That tells me he is not getting the ball out or throwing it away fast enough. Does that mean his processing is slow? WRs/TEs weak? Play calling? Could be a lot. We have that now. Colorado is not, like Indiana, winning. So I will look past the hype and the stats (offense) and put him in the "high risk, high reward" category. It just don't smell right to me. Many may differ. 4. Kurtis Rourke, Indiana. Absolutely shocking here, but long term, this 6-5, 235 QB from Ontario can flat out play. He can process and scan the field. Was successful at Ohio U. Has won 7 games at Indiana and no game has been close, with Indiana scoring 41 or more points each outing (averaging around 50) and the most any opponent has scored (Maryland) has been 28. This kid is winning at Indiana, folks. Who does that? Experienced, in his fifth year as a starting QB (Ohio/Indiana). Good arm. A bit awkward feet, but more mobile than you think. Able to see over the OL (around 8 inches taller than Bryce). https://youtu.be/lZd-VnSBieI?si=VaVgkFojJV7fZU8x 5. Carson Beck, Georgia. Beck struggled against Kentucky and Alabama earlier this season, dropping him out of the top 3 QB discussions. However, he lost Ladd and Brock and Van Pran (OL) during the offseason--and last year, Ladd and Bowers were about all he had to throw to. Beck's last 2 games have been better, but this could change. He is tall (6-4) and has upside. 6. Quinn Ewers, Texas. If heart and alpha was all it takes, I think I would have Ewers #1 overall. However, he is injury prone. Slightly careless with the football, but he has had a stable full of WRs and TEs at Texas. The OL has been solid as well. How is he when he is not on the best team? 6' 2" and about 220, experienced--had the mental toughness to stay at Texas and fight off the Manning shouters...a winner. SECOND ROUND 7. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon. Listed at 6 feet tall, probably 5' 11" at best, Gabriel has 6 years of college experience under his belt. His QB rating has been in the mid 80s on average, and he played well vs Ohio State (23 of 34 for 341 yards, 67.6%, 2 TDs, 0 Ints). He has mobility and has only been sacked twice in five games. Think Russell Wilson (ceiling). If he falls to the second round and we did not pick a QB in round 1, this could be the steal of the draft--if you don't mind another short QB. 8. Drew Allar, Penn State. I like him. He is a work in progress, but he is only 20 years old. The game will slow down for him. At 6'5" and 240, he is a big QB completing over 70% of his passes in a QB-friendly offense. He threw 3 picks in a win vs USC, one was a hail mary, but he is usually safe with the ball. If I drafted Allar, I would sign Andy back and have Allar play behind him--he'd be my 2026 QB. 9. Will Howard, Ohio State. Perhaps yet another name you are not seeing yet, but despite the late slide at Oregon last week, Howard has been solid at OSU. 6' 4" and about 235, I was very impressed with his fire and leadership in a hostile and loud Oregon stadium-he had a 94.1 QB rating in that game--in other words, he stepped up. completing 73% of his passes with 14 TDs and 3 interceptions, hard to believe the Ohio St QB is under valued and under the radar--but I see it that way. https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2023/12/11/23997145/quarterback-injuries-justin-herbert-trevor-lawrence-joe-burrow

I am not sure---I think the trade deadline is Nov 5 and we will see if they are serious about unloading talent that is unlikely to be here. As for Farley, I might convert him to S. He is 6-2 and I think he could be better facing the LOS--but injuries in college and then again in the pros has been his main problem. In 2023, his father died when his home in Mooresville exploded, leveling it. He has had a strange trip so far, but if he can get over the injury bug, he is a talent.

a half season or so of experience is worth a lot. If we can get 5 rookies from this draft contributing in meaningful ways, we are doing it right. XL, Brooks, Wallace, Sanders, Coker, and Smith-Wade is a nice draft. (6)

He was a bright spot, imo. Maybe a signing on a team making a playoff run that gets an injury--PFF score (going from memory) was about 63 and Smith-Wade is 40.8.

Hill has been playing well. But if we are building for the future, and they see something they like in Smith-Wade, probably a smart move---it could signal the beginning of some veterans being purged to develop younger talent and maybe get some picks. We shall see--Hill was a solid nickel--just old. (32 I think)