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MHS831

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    Lance Zierlein's Position Rankings 2026 Draft

    in Carolina Panthers

    Posted · Edited by MHS831

    1 hour ago, Bear Hands said:

    With the DBs, I see more role definition than positional these days, so tend to view value a bit differently there...Basically, there's better defined roles to focus on rather than what position is listed next to their profile.

    Those roles:

    1-The Outside Corner Group - obviously the highest valued DB 

    2-The Safety/Slot group - Higher-end safeties that can play slot/NB( I.E. It's the modern guy people want-- Hamilton, Branch, Pitre, Emman, the list goes on)  

    3-The smaller Nickel-only group.  Most of the time undersized guys that can't play outside -- the good ones end up out their 70% of the time these days with how much teams use 5/6DB sets.  

    4-The safety-only group 

     

    Regarding group 2: If you have a guy that runs in 2SH next to TM but then in a dime package be pulled into the slot so you can play Ransom/Scott back there, that's good value.   They really just play either spot at any given moment dependent on the matchup.  They allow for defenses to better disguise and make QBs think sideways.  

    Thieneman, McNeil-Warren, & Haulcy all fall into this group for me this year.  

     

    You know more about this than I do, so correct my logic.....II have a hunch that our pick is going to be Thieneman.  In round 2, the LB.  (Hill, Rodriguez, or Golday).  Then I see a DT.  Those are the positions we could use starters.  Everywhere else, we have starters (OT, C, CB,  WR or TE, arguably --our primary depth needs), will be day 3 picks

    Lance Zierlein's Position Rankings 2026 Draft

    in Carolina Panthers

    Posted · Edited by MHS831

    4 hours ago, rmoneyg35 said:

    That makes me wonder, how many starting tackles in the NFL and/or elite tackles have short arms?

    I feel like there’s probably lots of tackles that end up being drafted in later rounds because they had short arms or didn’t have the physical tools.  
     

    also why not draft a tackle in the later rounds that we could move to guard or center if they fail, instead of drafting a center? If we draft a center we know they aren’t going to play tackle but if you draft a tackle they could end up playing any of the 3 positions, look at BC for example. It feels like it’s a better decision to draft a tackle in later rounds than a center.

    I read that they don't like arms under 34", but I do not know.  I can say that I have followed OTs who were drafted and many get kicked inside.  Brady Christensen is one example. RTs seem to be more tolerant of shorter arms.  As much as it seems silly, there is a reason the short-armed prospects can't hack the outside.  

    For the 2026 NFL Draft, arm length is a critical talking point for offensive tackles, with 33 inches usually being the minimum threshold for teams. Notable top prospects include Monroe Freeling (34 3/4"), Blake Miller (34 1/4"), and Dametrious Crownover (35 3/8") having elite length, while Spencer Fano (32 1/8") is facing potential positional moves. 

    Top 2026 NFL Draft Tackle Arm Lengths (Combine Measurements)

    Monroe Freeling: 34 3/4"

    Blake Miller: 34 1/4"

    Dametrious Crownover: 35 3/8"

    Max Iheanachor: 33 7/8"

    Caleb Lomu: 33 3/8"

    Kadyn Proctor: 33 3/8"

    Francis Mauigoa: 33 1/4"

    Spencer Fano: 32 1/8"

    Markeel Bell: 36 3/8"

    Garrett DiGiorgio: 32 5/8"

    Trey Zuhn III: 32 1/2" 

    Key 2026 Measurements & Context

    The 33-inch Cutoff: Many teams consider 33 inches the minimum for NFL tackles, with sub-33 inch arms often leading to a move to guard.

    Spencer Fano's Case: Despite top-15 draft projections, Fano's 32 1/8" arms at the combine sparked debate about his long-term position, though he measured 32 7/8" at his pro day.

    High-Length Options: Markel Bell (36 3/8") is a standout for his length, while Dametrious Crownover (35 3/8") also boasts high-end measurements.

    Proctor's Perspective: Prospects like Kadyn Proctor acknowledge the talk but emphasize that elite film can overcome shorter measurements. 

    Olinemen I like late:  KY OT Farmer--has the arms but lacks the feet. will be a solid G imo.

    Parker II (Duke OT with sub 33 inch arms.  Smart with good feet--projects to center.  A smart, agile center is a nice thing.

    Zuhn III (Tex AM) is another T to C candidate.

    Of course, I think the Panthers will like traditional center Logan Jones (Iowa) because he is an experienced (50 starts) fit in a zone scheme.  

     

     

    • Pie 1

    Lance Zierlein's Position Rankings 2026 Draft

    in Carolina Panthers

    Posted · Edited by MHS831

    This was about finding starters--not depth so much--It changed my approach.  I am more confused than before and that is because Morgan has done a helluva job.  

    In my mind, WR and Edge are back in the picture based on how I felt after this. 

    Could Smith-Wade make the move from nickel to safety?  According to the Observer, that is not out of the question:

    Key Details on Smith-Wade's Versatility:
    • Role: Primarily a nickel corner, but capable of playing outside corner and safety,
    • Performance: Displayed strong versatility during 2025 offseason workouts, making plays at safety during OTAs and minicamp, says Panthers.com.
    • High Football IQ: Noted for his intelligence and ability to make calls for the secondary.
    Smith-Wade's future with the Panthers may include playing safety to fill gaps in the secondary, say Panthers Wire and the Charlotte Observer.
     
    This is significant to me because the draft is pretty deep at nickel CB.
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    Lance Zierlein's Position Rankings 2026 Draft

    in Carolina Panthers

    Posted

    This is so much more than rankings.  Got tired of same old topics.  I see the thread beginning, "Breaking News: Panthers...." and then I open it and read the complete title of the thread "...OT Jordan Gross Retires."  So here is something to chew on:  Don't hurt my feelings.  LZ rates the bounty of talent at each position and I provide a quote from his article.  It changed my approach.

    https://www.nfl.com/news/ranking-11-position-groups-in-2026-nfl-draft-from-strongest-to-weakest-edge-rusher-linebacker-loaded

    #1: Edge: Lance predicts the Edge position will, once again, dominate the first round and it is the strongest position.  If the Panthers draft an edge on day 1 or day 2, Wow.  Phillips, Scourton, Princely, Jones, along with Hampton, Gipson, and Incoom.  Personally, I think we are going to let the others grab the Edge players forcing other positions to drop to us.  This strategy does not discount the fact that if a stud edge falls to 19…

    • LZ:  “This class figures to provide a strong number of future starters, with as many as 17 players poised to come off the board in the first three rounds, but the quality of depth will trail off on Day 3. The edge defenders will rule the first round.”

    #2 Linebacker:  The Panthers added a starting Mike ILB in free agency, but the rest of the roster is depth. The need is for an off-ball LB who can cover.  Since it is my opinion that we draft a STARTER here, I would expect a first- or second-round pick  However, he makes a comment about the depth, suggesting that quality players could be found on early day 3.

    • LZ: “Anthony Hill Jr. is a talented three-down option who could go on Day 1, while Jake Golday, CJ Allen and Jacob Rodriguez look like Round 2 selections as potential early starters. The linebacker group stays strong in Rounds 3 and 4, with decent depth stretching into the fifth round.”

    #3. Interior Offensive Line:  This one surprised me, powered by some guards that could go as early as round 2.  Remember, LZ is rating these positions based on projected starters.  He mentions that Center is strong based on short-armed OTs that will transition to center, claiming that starters can be found into the fifth round.  That is good news for the Panthers, who do not really need an immediate starter, but they need a future starter who can play a few years on a rookie contract.

    #4. Wide Receiver:   Finding potential starters at WR is probably easier than C, but let’s not assume that WR is not a need in Charlotte.  TMac needs someone who can keep defenses from cheating in coverage.  Coker is very promising, but the others? I get the feeling that they are hoping XL comes around in year 3.  Regardless, if a WR is there that makes them better, they could pull the trigger–again–just not in round 1.  If the Panthers grab a WR, it will be for a 3rd-5th WR, which makes LZ’s comment interesting:

    • LZ:  “In terms of starting talent, this offering is a little softer than those from some recent years, but there will be plenty of quality depth for WR3/4 roles inside of the first five rounds.”

    #5 Cornerback:  Yes, we have Horn and Jackson (in his final year at age 29) and Smith-Wade has been fairly good. Thornton was the second-rated rookie CB before his injury last year.  Could we use depth at nickel?  An outside CB?  I think we could add both, frankly. Future starters.  I love the nickel from Duke, who is not mentioned.  

    • LZ:  “The depth at wide corner is lacking, but there are some very talented nickelbacks who will step into starting roles fairly quickly, including Avieon Terrell, Treydan Stukes, D'Angelo Ponds and Keionte Scott. It's worth noting that this might be the fastest cornerback group, from top to bottom, that we've ever seen.”

    #6(T) Safety: This prognosis could be why we re-signed Scott. However, it could also foreshadow why we might take a safety in rounds 1 or 2.  In my view, I think the value at S is not comparable, per round, to the value at other positions.  Remember the comment about moving Smith-Wade to safety?  I wonder if that was a stupid comment or someone in the know spewing inside info.  I want a safety, but I am not crazy about them in this draft.

    • LZ:  “Ballhawking safeties like Bud Clark and A.J. Haulcy offer future starting value in the second round, as does Jalen Kilgore, who is a big, explosive down safety. I'm also a fan of VJ Payne from Kansas State, but in general, this group becomes average, depth-level talent fairly quickly on Day 3.”

    #6 (T) Tight End:  Sadiq is not described as elite, but could be a first-rounder.  Frankly, from the sounds of this, it is either reach for Sadiq in round 1 or wait until round 3.  I am not seeing a TE in this draft.  I know the Panthers want one, but how much?  

    • LZ: (After Sadiq round 1)--We might not see many second-round TE picks, but this group is fairly deep in Rounds 3 through 5, featuring some solid pass catchers and a very strong run blocker in Sam Roush out of Stanford. The 2026 draft could produce a sneaky-high number of tight ends who earn second NFL contracts.”

    #8 (T) Defensive Line: This group is hard to gauge, and drafting one where the Panthers pick seems a bit awkward on day 1.  Nobody is worth #19 and the elite DTs will be long gone by #53 or whatever.  However, I like some of the second-tier players.  It seems NTs are abundant, but 3Ts are in short supply.  Maybe a player like Holten or Jackson in round 3 or (sleeper) Capehart around 3-4.

    • LZ:  (Borderline first-rounders:  Banks, McDonald, Woods)  “Beyond that talented trio, the position offers a series of future starters/rotational contributors on Day 2.”

    #8 (T) Offensive Tackle:  Yikes.  LZ is not really high on this group, and he provides reasons.  My take?  Many are good pass protectors, but struggie in run support. Walker is seeming like a great signing right now.  I think we grab the RT later, but LZ’s comments about mid round talent demonstrates that there is a lot of risk from top to bottom this year.  Personally, I think we might draft Parker early or Crownover later.

    • LZ: Top prospects like Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano come with shorter-than-desired arms, while the gargantuan Kadyn Proctor is coming off a highly uneven season in pass protection. Caleb Lomu, Monroe Freeling and Max Iheanachor all have talent but are less polished than teams might like. There is an adequate number of starting-caliber bookends available early, but it becomes highly speculative for teams hunting quality depth by the middle of the third round.

    10: Running Back.  Pass

    11.  (Last) Quarterback:  This may be a place to find a developmental gem, an emergency QB who has longshot potential to compete should Bryce fail.  If people feel that this class is as bad as LZ suggests, could a gem fall into undrafted free agent status?   I think I would watch that dynamic.

    • LZ;  Ty Simpson has a chance to become an NFL starter, but this is a below-average quarterback class with a low number of future starters and quality backups to choose from. It wouldn't shock me to see QB-hungry teams kick the can down the road and wait until next year.”

     

    READING THE TEA LEAVES:  Of course, this is not to suggest that Lance Zierlein knows all and sees all.  But I will say that he is a good talent evaluator and he talks to the people in the front offices that we do not have access to.  We are often misled by hacks making crap up to get clicks and hits–and this is part of that environment, so “grain of salt.”

     

    After reading this, I had the following thoughts:

    1. Taking an OT in round 1 seems like a mistake under most circumstances.  I think we need to find a RT to develop later in the draft.  I think we will add someone like Jude Bowery from Boston College in round 4.  I think we need to look at OT on both sides as if we have 1 year to groom a starter.

    2. If there is a run on Edges, a solid WR will be sitting there.  We could have a situation where the BPAs at #19 are either an edge or WR.  How would an elite WR help us?  

    3. At safety, if a team falls in love with Oregon FS Thienemen, the lack of depth behind him could force a reach. Could Carolina be that team?  

    4. The Panthers signed a decent C to a one-year contract. Centers with eventual starting ability can be found in rounds 3, 4, and even 5. Expect the Panthers to draft a center in round 4.  Yes, round 4.  I even predict Brian Parker from Duke.  Eerie, huh?

    5. We will be drafting a LB early, but I am guessing second round.  The next panther starting W ILB is going to be Rodriguez or Golday.  Madly on fire with my specific predictions–in round 2.

    6. Tight End?  Unless we dive in early, I do not see the upgrade.  I am willing to predict that we don’t draft a TE.

    7. Cornerback:  We will add a CB, probably a nickel (where there is value) late. 

    8. Defensive Line: Depending on what happens in round 1, Defensive line could be a late day 2 pick.

     

    This may shock some of you.  I live on the edge.

     

    ROUND 1:  Best value:  Edge, Wide Receiver, Cornerback.  I predict overdrafting OT and a run on edge will drop WRs and maybeCB  lower and a great value could land in our lap.  Could we do it again?  In the words of Brittany Spears, “Oops.” Corner?  Well, I think we will move Smith-Wade to FS at some point.  Smart, calls coverages.  Jackson is gone after 2026. . Get a nickel later, however, unless a stud CB falls. Please don’t draft TE here. Edge?  On paper, we are strong, but you can never have enough pass rushers.  We will leave awesome at one position that we may not have listed as a primary need: Edge, CB, or WR.

    ROUND 2:  Best Value: Linebacker.  I do not see us drafting another position here.  LB–Hill (longshot), Rodgriguez, Golday. Edge (second tier–Height, Jacas, Moore, Young, Howell–would be hard to overlook, but our GM is a former LB)  S A Haulcy is a darkhorse possibility.

    ROUND 3:  Best Value:  Defensive line. Halton (OK), Jackson (Fl. St), Durant (Penn State).  

    ROUND 4:  Best Value: Center.  Slaughter, Hecht, Jones, Lew, Coogan, Jones, Zuhn.  This is the only real option.  We should take our center in round 4.

    ROUND 5:  Best value:  They will be looking for a developmental OT here if not addressed sooner.  Jude Bowery ((BC), D. Crownover (RT-Tex AM), Wagner (RT-Notre Dame) seem promising. 




     

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    Processing Blue: immediate draft needs

    in Carolina Panthers

    Posted

    DT/DE, Will LB, S

    RT, C

    I see TE sneaking into the fray, but we have drafted 3 TEs since 2021.  I think you let them develop (Sanders, Evans flashed at times), but I do not see an upgrade unless we draft TE by day 2.  We need too many other positions.  

    No, I don't believe the BPA rule is pure or always followed.  IF the draft was before free agency, then maybe.

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    Processing Blue: immediate draft needs

    in Carolina Panthers

    Posted · Edited by MHS831

    3 minutes ago, strato said:

    I haven't changed from my first thought which was trade out of 19 down a few slots. Use the booty to move up in the second to get someone we want. 51 seems just a bit out of the zone. 

    At 19, you are right.  Move back, grab 2 day-2 players if that is the deal.  I might have a small list of players who might fall, but if they are all gone, get on the phone.

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    Processing Blue: immediate draft needs

    in Carolina Panthers

    Posted

    33 minutes ago, Basbear said:

    where do you put NT?

    I've having troubles with my list, its too fluid and the value is crushing me too.

    like, edge is back to the top even with Phillips..... or dare say a case of mine can be made... 

    I still feel panthers have WR on the bullseye...

    I have the same thought--almost identical.  However, take a look at Ohio State's Kayden McDonald.  I know he is listed as a NT, but the description of his play and his stats tell me that he can play up and down the line--dare I say it--like D. Brown.  

    image.png.4677540f58fdef09bed8c006d6dc375b.png

    I think he is a NT, but I also think he could play 3T.  

    This draft is so full of edge players and I see some on Days 2 and 3 that could be steals.  

    WR?  We need to be good enough beyond TMac to keep the focus off TMac.  We are not there yet--so I see it--

     

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    2026 offensive tackle rankings

    in Carolina Panthers

    Posted · Edited by MHS831

    I am thinking we draft a developmental swing T later than round 1 now.  I get the feeling that if we draft a T, and we will, it will be Moton's successor, not Ickey's.  A developmental guy maybe?  (World, Shelton, etc).  It is important that we do not appear to have given up on Ickey and they think it is too early to tell.  Drafting a LT is a 4-year commitment. 

    • Pie 2

    Tony Pauline: Panthers will strongly consider Kenyon Sadiq if he’s there @19

    in Carolina Panthers

    Posted

    II see it this way: We have to look at long-term needs and current depth.  We have filled some key spots with players on one-year contracts.  I firmly believe that they intend to pay Bryce some big bucks next year.  That means you cannot hope that your rookies in 2027 can fill the spots vacated by the veterans you could not afford to re-sign.  

    We need to consider the cap and the fact that the need to start a rookie is not viewed as a positive by coaches and general managers, but they value first contracts--so it is a delicate balance.

    I think they have to look at the cap by position--"Can we afford a $50m QB and a $100m OL?  That is half the cap, before you pay your WRs and RBs and TEs.  They need to start getting younger on the OL as well.  

    I am not suggesting that we draft OT in round 1, but we could and I would get it.  RT on a 1-year deal, they may have intel about Ickey (who was not the best LT, to be honest) and 32-year old Moton is on a bad wheel.  

    Now if you go by Morgan's history, you can almost tell what position we are going to address with the first pick by noting the positions he has not focused on in free agency.  DT, considering the lack of performance by those not named Derrick Brown and the loss of Robinson, is screaming to be addressed with a top player.  Wharton is not an early down DT (DE if you want to get technical) and our LBs need to be clean--they were not in 2025.  Look for a DT early.

    I also think we will address ILB (pass covering Will) on day 2.  The other day 2 pick will be an OT, in my view.

    Do not rule out CB.  We are thin there too, and Jackson is in his final year.  I am not sure that we love Smith-Wade.  Some crackhead on here talked about moving him to S----stay tuned.  

    Hopefully, a team wanting Ty Simpson will move up and offer us a pick or two to move back.

    • DT
    • WILB
    • OT
    • OC
    • QB  (you heard it here 337th--but this pick could come sooner than you think.  

     

     

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