CarolinaNCSU

"Likely" trading down isn't mentioned at all, just that it's been explored as I'm sure it is every draft. Aforementioned trade down to 10 would make some sense if Sewell/Slater are equal in our eyes and one will be there. Trading down beyond that and missing on both would be hurtful unless the compensation is overwhelming, which I can't imagine it would be.

Our WR room could quickly become an issue following this season depending on what happens with Robby, so I wouldn't hate it. But, OL, OL, OL unless our QB is there.

LB to me is the easy answer that would seriously make me question the team, but to me we have 3 huge needs (QB, OL, CB) that take precedence over anything else. From those three, I don't want to see CB. Obviously we need another CB, but I think the defense will be fine as is. Offensively though, a much more dire situation. Anything other than Pitts/Lance/Fields or OL at 8 and I'm not thrilled.

I'm honestly scared this is exactly the scenario they're envisioning. We're all over here thinking Fields or Lance are the guy at 8, only for the 49ers to take one at 3 instead of Mac Jones. Who then falls to us at #8, where we didn't think he would be, and we then draft him to continue collecting mediocre QBs. I pray I'm wrong, but I also 1000% could see us taking Mac Jones with somebody out of the Sewell/Slater/Pitts group still sitting there.

If Sewell or Pitts are there you take either one and be thrilled If Sewell and Pitts are gone, trade back (no lower than 15) If Fields/Lance are there, I'd love it but don't see it happening

Tyron Smith die or something? I mean I know he was hurt last year, but they have a Top 5 LT already.

Swoon. Whether it be Sewell or Slater, we're taking one of them at 8 I'd say. And then heading back to the OL well on Day 2 and beyond I hope.

If our CBs can just be average or not constantly poo the bed, the defense has pretty great potential. Give me all of the OL and offense in the draft.

I'll never forget being at that game (surrounded by a ton of UNC friends as a State fan), calling exactly what was about to happen. As soon as TOB decided to punt, I knew Gio was about to make a house call. Kenan was insane after that play while I sat there pissed at the world. As others have said, would rather draft a guy. If we don't come out of the draft with a RB though, Gio is a nice consolation prize and someone I think can be a poor man's CMC for a year if needed.

We 1000% need a CB, at least one. But after the attention we just paid to the defense last draft and this free agency, and the potential shape of our offensive line (and offense) this year and beyond? Give me all of the offense possible. 2022 we're looking at contract year Darnold and DJ, a decision on Paradis, and CMC signed as essentially it right now. The offense needs A LOT more than the defense right now to me unless we're planning on becoming the Bears.

I'm mentally preparing myself for Fields to be there, one of the OTs to be there...and we take a CB. It's happening and I'm going to have to blackout after.

Anybody still thinking QB at 8 btw...why? How? We trade a 2nd+ for Darnold and pick up his 5th year option on what is clearly a reclamation project. So...you draft his obvious replacement now to kill his confidence and make him an expensive backup next year? The commitment to Darnold, no matter how "small" compared to other QB deals/trades, took away ANY chance we take a QB in the 1st this year.

This is why I'm trying to not be completely hateful towards the FO right now. We had a guy in mind, we essentially had it locked up it seems...and then a complete 180 left us with our wheels spinning. Can't keep Teddy here, don't really like the QBs in the draft it seems...so pivot to a guy you can sell as low risk and maybe some potential. What scares me though, is this is being done to prevent a downward spiral and going 3-14 next year by starting a Grier or rookie. Aka, let's continue the mediocrity we've so passionately been against, only to punt towards next year when we repeat this process and put ourselves in this exact position (if not worse) and go all in on Watson, Rodgers, a new rookie, or whatever. I mean hey, building the team and such is great. But ya gotta make a play for a QB at some point. Ending up with our backup to the backup to the backup to the backup plan ain't it.

Not on the hot seat, especially with that contract, but if we don't start the 2022 season with our future on the roster, yikes. Then the question of, "what the hell have we been doing for 3 years?", will be a valid question and some seats should be warming. Whether it be an established vet or a rookie in 2022, our franchise QB needs to be here.

I'm hopeful and do think that Darnold can be salvaged to some degree. The only question is, what does a good Darnold look like? Is he a Top 10 QB? Or is he only a mediocre starter and place holder which we had? Granted, we couldn't continue to stick with Teddy after this offseason, but Darnold is still essentially our consolation prize. Teddy was supposedly our guy, until he sucked. Watson was our love, and not an option now. Stafford was essentially ours, until he wasn't. Lawrence was never happening, but we didn't seem to love Wilson/Fields/Lance enough to trade up. Mac Jones may have been our only draft hope at 8 (bleh), but the San Fran trade dashed that dream. Leaving the last girl at the bar before last call in Darnold. Like I said, I feel like he can be salvaged to some degree. But is our what, 4th, 5th, or 6th option really our answer long term? Rational thought says we're having this same conversation next year and talking about trading up for Howell or dreaming of Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson coming to a more complete team.

If we can get lucky and grab Penei Sewell, and find a OG/C in the middle of the draft ooh wee mayne I like the shape of the OL going forward. Hit on a couple of studs in this draft like last year, and this is quickly becoming a well-rounded team for either Darnold to prove himself into leading...or to attract a big fish if Darnold flounders. Josh Klein mentioned Rodgers if his relations with the Packers goes south. Would be nice to follow the Tampa Bay game-plan (words I never thought I'd type).

Option 1 - He becomes good away from Gase and NY, we have a QB Option 2 - He's decent enough that someone signs him to a big contract in FA even if he's not "our guy", we get probably a 3rd round comp pick which is essentially what we give up this year to trade for him. Option 3 - He's terrible, he becomes our new Clausen and leads us to the promised land of a Top 3 pick I don't think anybody wants Option 3, but this is what you get when we decided to screw the rebuild up by signing Teddy to make us averagely bad.

I'd much prefer Minshew, but kicking the tires on Darnold for a 3rd-4th rounder sounds good to me. If we're not drafting our franchise guy, swing for the fences on Darnold. He either sucks (and we pick high), or he gets the stank of Gase off of him and shows some potential under Brady.

Getting Pitts is the ultimate icing on the cake pick. But we don't even have a cake baked yet. Until we fix the OL (and QB), Pitts would be wasted here and staying in to block half the time. Granted, he could chip and be open 2 yards down the field exactly in Teddy's sweet-spot, but no thanks.

1. QB if there's a guy we like 2. OT 3. Trade down and take the best remaining CB/WR/whatever

Yeah Chinn is the heart and soul of this defense now. Could always add a TD to his Luke or vice versa, but this is Chinn's team for the next decade. So, in a reverse Cam/Luke scenario...we gotta find the actual QB of the offense.

For a team that spent a 3rd on Will Grier (thanks Marty!), a 3rd for Darnold could be a steal. If nothing else, he's an *actual* capable backup for the next few years unlike Grier. I'd prefer Minshew if they would deal him at a similar price, but wouldn't hate Darnold instead of mortgaging the future on a guy we're not sold on.

Would imagine our plan was/is to get Deshaun or a big name (and contract) QB. Deshaun was Plan A, and I'm sure if possible Dak or Russell Wilson would've been Tepper's next targets. It sure sounds like Deshaun to Carolina was all but happening, and then the news broke and put everything on halt. All of the Watson stuff also broke in the midst of FA, where I'm also assuming we had some contracts lined up already or planned out. We didn't change our plan, and are still leaving ourselves the flexibility to trade for Deshaun, RW, or whoever in the process at the cost of sprinkling some dead cap over the next few years as the cap recovers. Would hope this doesn't become the norm on big contracts like the Saints did with Brees for instance, but on smaller contracts, shouldn't cause any issue.

I'll trust the staff if he's the guy, but I'm not getting excited about the poor man's Matt Ryan when Teddy already exists. When his selling points are "he can throw the ball" and "he won games" that's quite the low bar. When you toss in the details of "he can throw the ball to the best skill group ever assembled in college with an amazing OL and run game" and "he won games at Alabama where career backup QBs can win a national title", it's a little less appealing. Dude just screams safely mediocre and not much else. So if the Kirk Cousins & Alex Smith's of the world get you all hot and bothered, go nuts. Couldn't be me though.