Soul Rebel

I'm sure there are firms and consultants that use ML focused on super, duper granular metrics and projections. It's not like they're pulling my mock draft that I posted along with some rando YT "source" with 15 followers in his basement. It's intriguing, though I'm sure it's just another tool used, along with hundreds of other, during the process. This did make me LOL though.

I'm going rogue in R1 but there's so much confusion around us. Last year, we were going Walker or Williams and caught folks off guard with TMac. The previous year we LOVED Legette and it was no surprise when his name was called. This year, I think we nail three areas that weren't totally addressed in FA. R1 - Kayden McDonald Full disclosure, I want Thienemann here, but think he goes before 19. Some might see an "overdraft" but McDonald unlocks so many people on our D. Having a DT the caliber of McDonald let's Lloyd, Wallace and the newly drafted Hill flood the offensive backfield. Also opens up Moehrig and our EDGES to eat. Lastly, it also removes all the pressure on DB to be the primary facilitator in the trenches and A'Shawn will be missed. I don't care about Turk. McDonald is the only true DT worth of a R1 grade and Morgan seals up our trenches here w/ a kid from a blue blood school. R2 - Anthony Hill Jr *trade up* I love JRod, but think a smart team takes him at the end of R1 (Seattle, NE w/ two d-minded coaches). Hill, Jr is a beast and lost in the shuffle with all the Styles/Allen/Rodriguez hype. He and Lloyd with DB and McDonald up front and flanked by Scourton/Phillips is nasty. R3 - Hecht/Lew/Center du jour Let's stop the madness with ignoring this position in the draft. We need one and should start normalizing the capital invested in our OL with someone on a draft contract. He won't need to start day 1, but I think the right selection will push for starter reps. R4 - Bud Clark Not sure if he's here in R4 where we pick, but would fit the "type" of FS/roamer that we need opposite Moehrig and Ransom. Allows us to run 3-safety looks and really keep teams guessing with personnel packages. R5 - Kendrick Law The kind of WR we need. IDK if he's any different than Horn, Jr or Metchie but Law could be a dart throw that brings a deep threat to our WR corps I'm guessing one of the R5 picks is used to move up in R2 along with a '27 day 3 pick. Post-draft, I sign Njoku to bring in a vet at TE. I'm also keeping my eyes open for pre-week 1 team cuts for a young CB that we could bring in to maybe plan for Mike Jack's departure next year. Flame away.... I know the McDonald pick will not make people happy.

They will do something like draft Tyson at 5 and then take Downs at 10. Styles won't be there at 10....hell, he might not be there at 5.

Cooper DeJean beside Moehrig….sign me up.

To this day, I have friends that rag me for my undying absolute love for Jake Fisher during that draft cycle. I thought he was the next "it" LT that the NFL was about to land. One of the bigger Ls I've taken as a draft nerd.

I know he wasn’t a 30 visit, but we did have a virtual meet with De’Zhaun Stribling. I like what DJ & Sikkema have said about him being a slot or Z WR that can take the top off a D. They brought up how once Ole Miss got right with Chambliss, that he really stepped up. I don’t know as much about him as the other WRs but could be a value on day 2 giving Bryce that speedster without sacrificing pick 19.

Idk, I feel like Delp is in line with more of the JT Sanders types….good, but not really moving the needle. If we add a TE, I’d prefer we bring in a vet like Njoku and let the two youngsters continue to battle it out.

Max is a versatile OT that doesn’t need to start day 1. He can play both sides but resembles more of a ready-made RT. I get an odd feeling Dan & Dave are looking to add more of a “win now” piece at 19 than a guy they can redshirt, but drafting Max would make 2027 and beyond much easier for OL security.

It was an interesting watch. What I retained and never really thought that deeply about was the 30-visits that occur. Hearing Luke explain how little time teams truly have deep diving and connecting with prospects at the combine makes more sense now. Those 1-on-1s in-person at the facility without all the noise of Indy and pro days can help teams figure out team fit a bit more. He mentioned how the prospect talks to the security guard, the driver that picks them up at the airport, etc. are little insights into someone’s character. Knowing how important culture is with Dave and Dan, I’d have tot think our first two days of selections will be top-30 visits.

I think adding weapons for Bryce doesn’t imply in R1. I think they’re still eyeing a TE like Njoku or Waller. I also think a speedy/shifty WR can be found on day 2, which would be fine by me as the WR room is still a work in progress.

Here…here!

Omar Cooper Jr had a great pro day yesterday and we have a 30-visit with him. Concepcion is a Charlotte native and could be more what Canales is looking for, but the desire for a shifty WR has some legs to it. I think either would complete our WR room, but prefer selecting a WR until the 3rd round or later. Let’s find out Jalen McMillan or Tez Johnson.

I'm sure it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I like the simplicity of it. The eyes prowling underneath are *chefs kiss* https://www.nflshop.com/carolina-panthers/mens-carolina-panthers-new-era-blue/black-2026-nfl-draft-on-stage-pre-curved-9fifty-snapback-hat/t-14603502+p-24224737887782+z-8-948025324?_ref=p-DLP:m-GRID:i-r0c0:po-0

Carolina goes FS at 19. I would love this move and think adding a Cooper DeJean (Thienneman) or Emanwori (EMW) gives us an invaluable piece that seals the secondary up.

Same. My guess is Andy loves the locker room energy, vibing with everyone and just being around football. Hard to shake that when it’s been part of his life since he was a kid. His play fell off a cliff quick, but I wish him the best there. Maybe the Eagles get something for McKee and Andy is on deck if something happens to Hurts.

If it’s not Sadiq at 19 ( I hope it’s not him) I think we see what shakes out in FA. We’ve drafted two guys in the last two drafts on day 3, so I don’t see any upside going back to that well….especially in this draft. I could see if Njoku’s number comes down or someone else as a vet and true upgrade on a 1-yr deal. Re-visit next offseason and see if Sanders or Evans becomes what we want them to be between now and then. At some point, if we want to upgrade TE, we have to invest in a trade, an early draft pick or FA. These 4th rounders and beyond are what they are.

Personally, I'm more than okay taking McDonald at 19 without hesitation if he's the best IDL available. Pro days aren't an indicator of NFL success, but this guy just destroyed his yesterday at OSU. He is a true odd front NT that can stuff the run and if the old adage of building/winning starts with the trenches, he fits the mold. I would prefer a trade back to get more picks and still select him, but we need a dance partner. My board right now at 19 is: Freeling Thienemann ESW McDonald Miller

This is my question and approach as well. It seems great to get anything for Andy. If we ate his salary for Philly, it's more "meh" for me. I'm sure it lands somewhere in the middle but if we got a 7th AND Philly pays him, big dub for Dan and Brandt.

He would've been the ideal type of WR to slot between 4 and 18 but not at that cost.

I think the moves they've made this offseason is to allow someone like Sadiq to be considered at 19. That's not to say he's #1 on their board, but I absolutely think he's in the conversation. It's a gamble to go TE in R1, but Sadiq is an intriguing prospect. I've seen McBride and Davis comps, which is some pretty good company. Sadiq had a 43+" VJ and 11'+ BJ w/ a sub-4.4 40 time. What I do appreciate w/ Sadiq is he's not just a receiving threat. He loves to block and is very physical in that arena. To have a quick, explosive TE w/ dependable hands that's not afraid to block is nice. His YAC and redzone efficiency is solid too. I get the logic if we do go this route, but other prospects would have to be off the board for me to want him.

https://bsky.app/profile/profootballtalk.bsky.social/post/3mh4rhxahg22y Goedert back to Philly. Njoku out there lurking still…..

Brand Tillis......he's either a genius or someone we will loathe in 3 years when all these salaries come to roost and he's a GM somewhere else. I choose to believe he's a genius for now.

If you look at our depth chart, this has to be at the top of the primary needs list. Outside of a true rangy FS that balances Moehrig, I don't see any other "immediate" needs for 2026. Beyond this year, figuring out C, OT, TE1 and WR3 and probably CB2 (are we going to pay Jaycee and Mike Jack?) are on my radar. My list at 19 (in no order) : Freeling Thieneman McNeil-Warren McDonald Miller Sadiq I think CB is also low key going to be a selection earlier than anticipated...Chris Johnson on day 2 fits what we're looking for, IMO and he balled out at the combine. The salaries we just took on and BY9 coming up, I struggle to believe Mike Jack is a Panther next year.

I hope he finds his lane in year 2. Now that we signed Walker, I'm really intrigued how Dan feels about the DL. Is there a piece there in R1 that presents value/BPA and fills a void for one of the spots w/ DB and Wharton. I'll give Wharton another year to show us why he was signed here. With A'Shawn gone, I don't think BBIII is it. Our edges are set and our LBs are balanced. Horn/Mike Jack and Moehrig will hold the secondary together. DB is, well...DB. However, I think this is an area that is the biggest question mark right now. I see 1 of 3 spots that are locked and loaded for us. If we move to a 4 down front, I assume Phillips would slide down to be the additional linemen, but we still have questions about the other two spots in either scheme. I'd feel better with a tradeback, but I do wonder how McDonald would do here. Maybe Woods....but McDonald really does peek my interest. Or, can Jackson take that next step. The coaching staff speaks highly of him for what little he played. Here's hoping he stays healthy and comes into TC with something to prove. There's a spot to be taken, here's hoping he takes it.