MHS831

I am just hoping for a first-rounder who can catch and knows where the sidelines are.  

4 hours ago, Jon Snow said:

Our qb room.

Not kidding--I met the green one a decade or so ago.  He was the last living cast member.  Told me some stories about the munchkins--

8 hours ago, X-Clown said:

Per Ian Rapoport

https://x.com/RapSheet/status/2041496812469551198?s=20

I am sure this thread will be fun 

 

I am not reading the other posts before I say this:  If he is an UDFA, I cannot think of a better place to go--an offense sorta built for a small QB.  I sense a bit of Johnny Manziel in him, but he could settle into an emergency QB role here--He won at Vandy.  Beat Bama.  Worth a late round pick or UDFA contract.  Now,, I am going to post this and then read what the Huddle has to say.  (I admit I don't know much about him, but the highlights?  He seems to be able to do what Bryce can do--maybe better because  his team was not Alabama).

1 hour ago, strato said:

That is reasonable, the development aspect and I hope to heaven they do that if they don’t want to invest early. 
Gross went at 8 I think, and was RT his rookie year.  

I would add that it is probably likely that you need a T during the season--I am wildly speculating that they like something about Forsythe.  However, that is not enough.  We need 4 players who can play OT in the NFL---we have 3. That suggests that we are going to add an OT at some point. 

Perhaps related, but probably a pure depth move:

Brady Christensen is an interesting situation--we should sign him. He is likely to miss the first 2 months of the 2026 season, and he will be 30.  He can play all OL positions.  That would give depth when it is usually most needed--the last half of the season.  With his injury, I doubt his phone is ringing much.  I think I would offer a 2-year deal (1.5 if you want to be realistic) for the vet minimum.  

2 minutes ago, strato said:

I haven’t scouted them to say, because I am not GM and have no say. The Miami kid, but he will probably be gone. Freeling. Proctor is interesting. Like I said I haven’t really scouted but I would look closer at him because I have seen some claiming he has the quickness and feet even at his inflated size. So I would look closer at that. 

My ideal outcome is one of the top guys who are probably not gonna fall, falls and we use 19 on him. Obviously, I guess. I am  not wanting to trade up or anything - not putting it like code red at all costs, but if we get a chance to get that covered I would for sure want to take it. 

Also it looks like we might be able to drop down a few slots and find a future RT at decent value which I would also be fine with.  I think if someone fell that made 19 a hot pick, then I would want to trade out unless it was a top T. 

I would probably want to get a run stopper for the DL if the tackle thing didn’t fall right. That is what I voted for here because I feel it is more likely that we don’t have things fall to fit my scenario. 

If it were me, I would take Proctor over the rest, but I would have a firm understanding and (if this is legal) an escape clause in his contract if he decides to spend his signing bonus at the Pancake Barn (the edible kind).   After that, Freeling and then Lomu to a lesser degree.  I really like Miller, but he is a RT only, based on my understanding.

I am not dismissing the quality of Tackles that are expected to go day 3.  They have issues, but they also have time to develop.  I think of it this way:  When would Freeling have been drafted in 2025?  What happened between 2025-2026 that moved him from a mid-rounder to a top 16 player?  Find a guy with upside if you are not starting him day 1 and develop him.   That is how I would approach it--I am sure there are others who might do it many different ways.

2 minutes ago, strato said:

Predict, no. But that monstrosity of a knee brace has scared me since Moton went with it as standard part of his equipment.. And his age is not helping him. He just worries me.  
Like riding on bald tires. 

I feel the same.  OK, tell me which OT is on your radar if you were the GM--

2 hours ago, strato said:

OT seems like the most responsible pick to me. Conservative? Probably ultra conservative. Prepper like.

I can’t shake the feeling that we will regret passing on one before the season is over. Plus it lines up and sets us up to be able to use the 2027 1st on a QB if we need to. because we might. 

Think about it, worst case, we could actually be down RT, LT and QB going into next year. It isn’t that inconceivable. Matter of fact, it is very ‘Panthers’.

We have Walker yes, for this year. Whose last team let walk, and for fairly cheap money. Does that make you feel secure? (I mean okay, I feel a lot better with him than without him, no doubt just saying)  

The only thing is the tackle that fits the job has to be there at 19. You can’t force it. 

I can agree with this statement if you really like the OT who is available.  The fact that they are "rare" (along with QB, Edge) positions to find should also play into it.  If we have a roster that allows for BPA,  you should (as you say) consider the difficulty it takes to find a replacement.  Furthermore, you don't want a rookie playing LT--regardless of who it is.  All that to demonstrate how I get the decision to draft a T if they like the player and have a need that could be worse than I understand right now.  

Morgan signed a starting LT and a swing T in free agency.  He signed a starting Center. We also need a "Z" WR, DT, S, TE and LB.  Of those, we need 3 starters for 2026 (Z-WR, LB, S)  and 2 rotational players (DT, and TE).  C and OT are the only players who, if we draft them, are likely to sit and not start or work into a rotation.  The Panthers seem to be in "Win Now" mode.  For that reason, I do not see OT or C being drafted until the last day.

2 hours ago, rebelrouser said:

I don't see how they can predict Ickey's recovery or Moton's degenerative decline at this point.  Way to early.  SportsInjuryCentral

I would think the surgeon would have a prognosis about recovery time and opine on the success of the surgery.  As for Moton, we have been monitoring his knee for some time.  How is it too early?  You are collecting as much information as possible to develop a strategy on the draft.   Nobody can predict anything ever--I think you misunderstood my comment--not sure I was as clear as I needed to be. 

29 minutes ago, Khyber53 said:

Like I said, I'm not all fired up about going OT in the first, but like picking the minivan at the car lot when you have four kids to haul around rather than the two-seater Jaguar... sometimes you've got to cover home base first.

And sadly, I just don't think we can swing for a late-round OT with upside. If there are top notch big men available when we pick, then take one and move on. We might not have time to grow our own, yanno?

And yeah, LB in the second. If not, we riot.

We went with the Jag and got a really nice luggage cargo carrier.  Drilled some air holes, and we were good to go.  I get it. I just think they know about Moton's knee and Ickey's prognosis more than they are telling us.  If good in both cases, Morgan may not go OT.  If either is questionable, I hope we go OT...I am not a huge fan of the OTs that could be there at 19, but I would get it.   Lomu if Ickey is bad, maybe blake Miller if Moton is the concern.  I could see it.

And the TE?  We have that guy on the roster already--600 yards in 2 years? Wooooo.  Playmaker.

I like the TE from Stanford if we are bottom fishing.

I am fine with the first and third picks.  Not my preferences, but the impact of a free safety is hard to determine.  I also think there is equal to nearly equal value at C on day 3.

this is terrible. 

9 hours ago, Shocker said:

I don’t want KC personally but I do like Cooper

Drops?  9% is not good.

9% drops?  That scares me.  However, the average in the NFL (drops) is around 6.5%.  Having played in college with a variety of QBs (practice--we had 9 qbs during the 2 years I played), I can say some throw an easier to catch ball than others.  Personally, I see his stock rising and it seems by April 23, he might be a top 15 pick. 

12 hours ago, Khyber53 said:

I want something else, but I've got to say I think we grab an OT in the first. We are looking at future issues at OT on both sides of the line after this season (and that's IF there are no further injuries). If Icky can come back, he's going to be somewhat expensive. Moton is winding down his career (and I hate to see him go, but his cost vs value curve is tightening up about as fast as his sciatica is on Monday mornings). 

In a perfect world, we grab the best OT available and let him learn behind Rasheed Walker, Moton and the rest of our experienced linemen. If Icky comes back next year or late this season, that's great. If not, and Walker proves to be too expensive, we have our guy in place. If Icky does come back, we slide the guy to OT and move ahead, with five years of reasonable costs for OT.

If I had my drothers, though, I want a TE or MLB right off the bat, the best one available. 

Just not another WR.  We need to let our current trio cook a bit more. I'm not completely given up on XL. Third season tells the tale on WRs and he deserves at least that.

Plus, on first rounders, grab someone who is involved in either every offensive or defensive play. Get the mileage guys here.

This is the best reason for drafting a T--Moton's knee is also a big concern for me--I am not sure if it is still justified, but leg injuries for big men can be degenerative.  I have argued against it--I think Morgan will think it has been addressed and will draft a Late-round OT with upside.  Forsythe?  What the hell was that? 

I am leaning WR (guessing what they might do) because they really don't have a Z WR, based on Cosell's description of the position. TE is in play.  DT is in play.  The thing I am most confident about?  LB in round 2.

7 minutes ago, csx said:

I have no idea what thet will do. My guess is they will bring in the #19 prospects for official visits soon and what we've seen are trade situation prospects.

Tetairoa visited mid April last year.

I think they wanted to dispell the rumors of his work ethic, but that is speculation.  Interesting point.  I am thinking (right now) that they might go WR again.  

33 minutes ago, DaveThePanther2008 said:

I really think that we are going BPA.  I would like an OT but, it really is going to come down to the best player.  Especially if it any one of the primary needs.

Personally, I have argued that the pick is probably unlikely to be an OT in an effort to read the tea leaves, but I am an OL fanatic and would get it. By now, they probably have info about Ickey and I think the decision will be based on the likelihood of his return to form by 2027.  

Thanks to Cosell, I am more inclined to lean towards the Z WR and Concepcion or Cooper.  After he explained it, I felt that it is a need.  

DT could easily be the pick.  Who did we get to replace Robinson?  I think any GM looks to upgrade a position, not simply replace.  That would suggest an early draft pick, maybe?

I am not happy about having Scott back.  Please tell me that was a depth move.  

When it comes to TE, I pray we don't love Sadiq.  

I doubt it is a CB, C, or Edge, but if an elite CB or Edge fell to us....(to your point).

I think we could try to trade back if there is a market.

11 minutes ago, SCMunnerlyn1 said:

I dont have my finger on the pulse like I did in my 20s where i know all the prospects. But I seem to recall most of the time the best center available is usually mid 1st to early 2nd so its right there if thats what we wanna do. I think something OL needs to be the pick regardless of position. 

There are some guards and OTs with short arms that project to C, so it is difficult to know--Heck, the RT from Utah I think, who was considered a mid first rounder, is now being discussed as a G or C because his arms are 32" or so.

I was down on TMac.  Work ethic.  I wanted Golden.  Golden got hurt and had 360 yards.  

I did predict WR, however. 

8 minutes ago, SCMunnerlyn1 said:

I went center but its more of a what I want them to pick. 

Who did you have in mind? 

16 minutes ago, Basbear said:

Even a tiger WR in the thick for me, I mean 2nd or 3rd for this guy. Heres a fluff vid and he's what the Panthers need in the slot....

 

Forgot about him.  I am not in april shape.

16 minutes ago, Basbear said:

That and If there's a strong 50/50 split among two important groups. UDFA that's some brownie points, I heard " They were the only team to give me a 30, so I had to come here" Why not, what bugs me is each year they only use 27-28, Id make sure each year 30. Plus I would wear out the local loophole.

 

How about this- the record falls this year!! Panthers will draft a tiger, witness me!!

 

I had the same thought--there are 4-5 Tigers they could use--DT, Edge, RT, (I don't want to say QB, but) QB.  Tex AM seems solid in areas of need. Last week I might have said Oregon. Of course, Ohio State's entire roster will be drafted before 19...but if one falls....

so where do you scholars go for your draft info?  I don't really read much more than you guys because other sources know less than we do---I can say that I think a few of these draft gurus have some inside info, but nothing great.  

I used to talk to Brandon Bean-we are both from Stanly County (both knew each other from S Stanly High)-but he would basically share his opinion and it did not usually match Hurney's views.  He did tell me that MH followed the coaches recommendations for the most part--and Richardson would ask questions about the prospects he liked but would never tell anyone who to take.  Thats about it.  Point?  If they trust you with the information, you can guess with more accuracy.

As of 8:08 PM:

13 people say defensive back

12 people say TE or WR

11 people say OT

12 people say DT/DE

4 people say LB (Probably because round 2 is where the LBs live)

I dropped this and igored it for several hours. It is pretty balanced.