MHS831

Tomorrow: The arm length for tackles will tell the story as much as anything.  

In the NFL Draft, 33 inches is considered the minimum acceptable arm length for an offensive tackle to effectively handle pass rushers, with 34+ inches being ideal. Tackles with arms shorter than 33 inches are often moved to guard, as shorter arms make it difficult to manage the edge

1 hour ago, chbright said:

this year's underwear Olympic champ is Jeff Caldwell. that was a top tier performance of all damn time

look at Kyle Louis (LB Pitt)--he was near the top of every drill. Quietly strong.

We have no centers.  

5 hours ago, Aussie Tank said:

See ya later alligator 

This does not help the cap but we just freed up an ice tub and rehab bike.

Thanks for all you do to bring news to the Huddle as often as you do.   Appreciate it.

35 minutes ago, firefox1234 said:

 

I see Miller here.

In a dream vision.

He was on a zebra in an undisclosed Walmart.

It will be so.

I also think day three needs to be OL depth, TE, DT, and QB.

1 hour ago, Htarnation4.0 said:

Alright. For all of you folks who follow closely, and with the Combine wrapping soon, who will be our likely/realistic targets in the 1st three rounds? And how does FA affect what we do on draft day. Thanks!!!

Hard to say right now, but good thinking.  I look at this as the info we need for free agency.  Looks like we are going to free up about $10m so far; watch to see if any contracts (Moehrig, Horn, Brown, etc) are reworked the first week of March.  Then after free agency, we will have a pretty good idea.

Right now, to be fair to your question because I am sure you are aware of its timing:

In free agency, I see us adding an OT of some sort and drafting one at some point.  It all depends on how they view Ickey, Nijman, and maybe BC.  That OT could be Nijman.  I do not see the future OT--just a stop gap.

I see the Panthers signing a free-agent center.  I think the market is strong.  I see Fortner from the Saints as a prime candidate and his salary is estimated at $6m by Spotrac.  the Saints are $42m over the cap, so I doubt they are able to re-sign many of their own.  He will be 28.  I also expect them to re-sign Corbett (depth) at a vet min ($1.5m) deal.

I also see free agency as a strong area to get a free safety who can play and is under age 30.  Hawkins, Cook, and Bryant are all around age 27-28, play at a high level, and should be had for about $15m per.

EDGE: Arnold Ebiketie is a good value because he gets pressure at a high percentage.  He had 2 sacks and Atlanta just drafted 2 pass rushers last year.   He has a 70+ PFF rating and will (Spotrac) demand about $9m.  While he is not the answer, he is a great third down option with Princely and he would allow for Jones, Scourton, and Princely to develop.

So if we could sign a S, C, and Edge, and maybe even an ILB, we could be set to take BPA.  

I like the FS and C markets--not elated about an edge--and I love the ILBs in the draft.

If I could sign a S, C, and Edge:

1. OT

2. ILB

3. WR

OR 

1. WR

2. OT

3. ILB (so deep)

1 hour ago, Khyber53 said:

Great info overall.

This part, though, I had missed this guy. Could we go with another smaller, smarter LB? I mean, we had the best one of all time once before... Could lightning strike twice? Sure would be nice. Could we grab ILB in the second and third rounds? We really, really could use some strength and smarts there.

You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned intelligence--we have 3 primary needs at positions where intelligence is very important (FS C, LB).  It made me re-think things.  Smart players make others around them better and they anticipate mistakes.  Everyone is good--great is where you have to be.

On 2/24/2026 at 11:03 AM, strato said:

If you love doing it, not until the phone stops ringing. 

last year, he shouted for Kevin Greene to go in for Rucker.  It was the right decision, wrong time.

21 hours ago, micnificent28 said:

I do not disagree with your philosophy at all and typically I don't believe in RB in the first round but I think if you want a super talented guy like exceptional those guys go in the first round You're not getting Gibbs or love or Bichon or saquan you're not getting those type transformational figures anywhere but the first round I think our need at tackle is temporary

Hey friend, we both know there are no winners or losers until the draft is about 3 years old.  We all pound the table like we have the answers , but if we went back and read our comments from 2021--we'd have to change our usernames to save face!!   RBs are devalued, so you could get the best bang for your buck by taking a talent like Love.  

3 minutes ago, Khyber53 said:

I think you've nailed what we need right here.  Rodriguez and Thieneman would be my choices, Thieneman in the first and Rodriguez in the second.

Let everyone else eat up their picks on the crop of WRs and linemen.

Then make a push in free agency for the top center.

It seems the needs for the Panthers are at positions that tend to require intelligence to lift others--going from "good to great"--FS, ILB, and C--as you say.

While i like Rodriguez a lot (can see the Hurricanes [Jarvis] and Panthers with a mustache player to get the fans into it)--I also like Golday (WLB?).  However, take a look at smallish Kyle Louis (Pitt).  He is known to be cerebral, but he is small (5'11" I think) and for that, I moved him lower.  But look at the different LB events at the combine--he is near the top in most of them.  I see him as a sleeper.  So if we wait until the second round, we can get a solid LB.  

So what if we grab a free agent edge specialist (veteran) for pass situations and help develop Princely.  We draft FS (Oregon) first--maybe trading back to do so--I dunno.  We sign a free agent ILB and draft a rookie like Rodriguez or Louis.  In the third, we could probably find a center, like (former OT Parker from Duke) or Slaughter or Pew (may have to trade up).  

So, as you say, others are fighting for Edge players, WRs, and OTs early like seagulls on the beach fighting over spilled corn chips, We sit back, grab intelligent players that make others better.  FS, ILB, and C.

OT scares me more that Edge if we do this--but for those screaming for an edge--we have edge players--2 with starting experience who have had some degree of success.  JC Davis can play either T spot and he is good at pass blocking--a bit raw--but could be developmental depth that could play in a pinch. Or you could draft a solid OT with shorter arms that are driving them down into day 3--and convert them to G or C later.  Nijman and BC being re-signed could provide enough to hold down the job until a developmental OT (World, Oregon?) prepares for a shot at it.  Wagner (ND) could play LT but is probably a future RT--he is expected to be drafted early day 3.  My favorite day 3 OT sleeper?  Keagan Trost, Missouri. Great run blocker, soild pass blocker in SEC--just shorter arms.  Maybe a guard down the road, but for the time being, a T.  Not ideal, but at least you are building for the future.  

21 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

He's not generational.  He's just athletic. He was good in college but so we're others.

Vernon Gholston vibes?  had 14 sacks at Ohio State in 2007; 45 games in the NFL:  0 sacks.  

1 hour ago, Pejorative Miscreant said:

Nothing against it other than meh feeling. If it’s best for the team  it’s the rational and correct  approach. No disputing that. 

I want a high impact player, but a true FS who could qb the secondary might be more effective than we realize.  I don't think Moehrig is that guy (I think he is overpaid, however).  I want a flashy, high impact player, but we could use defensive qbs at ILB  and FS.  By upgrading skill AND adding vision and leadership, could we get better than if we added an edge or OT?

I am not sure that I believe this myself, but I try to look at things from all perspectives.  Here is some devil's advocacy stuff:

1. EDGE-We are freaking out about the pressure we put on the qb from the edge position.  However, Jones II and Wonnum missed a total of 22 games. Scourton was a rookie and Princely was a third rounder.  Wharton sucked (not sure if he was used properly--a hybrid who can rush from the 5 tech or 3, etc), and this put more pressure on Scourton and the other edge players.  This year, we get Jones II, Scourton should continue to evolve with Princely.  Perhaps another rookie is not what we need.  Maybe a veteran situational pass rusher. 

2. OFFENSIVE TACKLE:  Of course, we need an OT, but the draft is loaded with OTs that can pass block but struggle in run blocking--so a rookie at LT might not be the answer for a team that wants to run first.  What to do?  I am not sure.  I see Nijman returning after testing the market, but who knows?

3.  INSIDE LB:  A huge need, regardless of how you spin it.  However, I see a few free agents who would be solid here, and I see the second round having a few ILBs with starting potential.  I do not see an ILB worth the first round pick unless a freak falls to us.

4.  With veteran defensive backs, a young, intelligent FS could fit in nicely. Intelligence is key--like the way Luke made the front 7 better. "A good, intelligent free safety (FS) acts as the "quarterback of the defense" transforming a unit from good to great by acting as the last line of defense, communicating pre-snap adjustments, and anticipating plays before they happen. By reading the quarterback's eyes and diagnosing offensive schemes, an intelligent FS acts as a "centerfielder" who can neutralize deep threats and mitigate errors made by cornerbacks or linebackers."

2 hours ago, Pejorative Miscreant said:

 

For me it would be like getting underwear at Christmas.  Sure you probably need it and it will be extremely useful but there is no wow factor.

Definitely not arguing with you.  Just my .02

I get it.  It would have to grow on you, but if we address a few needs in free agency, I could love it.

• LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State): Confirmed formal interview with the Panthers.
• DE Keldric Faulk (Auburn): Confirmed formal interview with the Panthers.
• S Caleb Downs (Ohio State): Linked as a high-priority target for defensive improvement.
• WR KC Concepcion (NC State): Expressed interest in joining the organization, with the team highly aware of him, according to Carolina Panthers. 

• Defensive Focus: The team is searching for defensive upgrades, particularly a long-term answer at linebacker to continue the legacy of Sam Mills and Luke Kuechly.
• Draft Board Depth: The Panthers entered the combine with 600 prospects on their board, as stated by GM Dan Morgan.
• Offensive Needs: Despite having the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year in Tetairoa McMillan, they are exploring receivers to boost the passing game. 

22 hours ago, strato said:

He is tearing it up. I want to look closer at Anthony Hill Jr. 

I am a Golday fan, but Kyle Louis is a smallish stud.

1 hour ago, firefox1234 said:

 

dumb question but I don't know the answer:  What is an "informal meeting" (aside from what it means literally) and what makes it different from "formal meeting?"  I don't know how to ask the question--but I guess I am wondering why an informal meeting is news, or if they were really interested, why not a formal meeting?  

21 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Penix had ridiculous production while Richardson and Levis had ridiculous physical tools. Simpson just seems very average across the board as an NFL prospect. He's just enjoying that "Bama bump" - Bryce also falls into that category. 

Until he hit that slump, my argument was stronger.  I can say that the Bama Bump is perhaps not as substantial as it was before--but your points are valid.  My point is based on a strong throwing performance at the combine--which is not more important than the film.  if he throws well, I will bet that he goes in round 1.

41 minutes ago, firefox1234 said:

This class of defensive backs are all track stars.

Yes. I really like the group--Dillion Thieneman (ore) is a player I would consider in the first round (QB for the DBs), later?  Bud Clark (TCU), Taafe (Texas), and McNeil-Warren (Toledo).  I know many of us are thinking Edge, LB, or OT in round 1 but we could eliminate or reduce those needs in free agency

I still like Golday (LB, Cincinnati) but I think Kyle Louis is pretty awesome looking--I think he is a bit short, but beason and Mills were a bit short too.  (Beason is listed at 6 feet, Mills was a few inches shorter).  

1 hour ago, Basbear said:

 

 

 

Your guys are going to have to talk me into this "DL" need/want. Panthers lost crumdey cause they had 6/7 DLmen ahead of him, 2 of which was nearly always inactive each GameDay. They seem to like Harrison-hunter and Ray is back for cheap if they want. Cam Jackson is back after a second off-season.

I know you always want to improve, but DL(-edge) to me seems far down the need/want. They got a solid starting 3 and young talent behind them. They only had 4-5 active on GameDay, cause dbrown plays the whole dang game. 

*Now* if you want to say NT, they haven't had one in three years as a 3-4 team.....that's the most important spot in the old 3-4..... But a rookie NT is not normal, cause you need a 27 year old 375 man-beast ala wilfork or Gilbert brown....

Team just has too many holes...

Your point about D. Brown never leaving the field is valid----I see Cam Jackson and Bobby Brown III as the NTs and Wharton and D. Brown as the other DTs.  Wharton is safe through this season, but looks like he will be cut in 2027 should his play not drastically improve.   

Yikes!!!

not much better, but for much less $$$

and then there is Derrick, who is really the only DT worthy of starting:  

While we have bodies, and Wharton could step up and Jackson and Brown III could improve--but in my mind, right now, we have an overpaid, undersized DT in addition to Derrick.  Jackson and Brown III are big bodies.  Depends on what we want to do up front.

I would also add that our free agency is going to make the draft much easier to predict. 

40 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I already had a DL penciled in for this draft but now it's practically guaranteed. It went from a quiet need that a lot of people were overlooking to a pretty pressing need without Robinson.

I am pretty bullish about the DTs in this draft--I could even see us taking one at 19  if the right guy falls.  

2 minutes ago, strato said:

When they structure these deals this way, they have to know what the real deal is. For him, two year deal. 

That $$ would bring in a pretty sound ILB in free agency.

WHat I try to do is disregard my personal preferences.  My philosophy is spend $$ on the OL and not on RBs--never draft a RB in the first round and RARELY give a RB a second contract.  There are exceptions, so for me, I would have to base it on needs over all else.

We NEED a starting T

We NEED a starting ILB 

We NEED a rotational Edge

We NEED a starting C

We NEED a WR to a lesser degee, if we stay healthy

We probably NEED a starting FS.

I am concerned that Rico will be gone (right move) and Chuba will be 27-about the age RBs start to decline.  So you could make an argument for Love, but if we drafted Love at 19, I know we'd get good value, but I would be so pissed off.