What do you have as the Panthers top needs going into the offseason?

[Verge]

I am hoping Dave signs some quality starters, and then fills the rest of the holes with elite talent with out first two picks, how do you rank our needs going into the 2017 offseason?

1. DE
2. LT
3. RB
4. SS
5. WR

[JawnyBlaze]

I pretty much completely agree with your list. I'd probably throw TE2 at #6.    DE and LT could be interchangeable at 1 and 2.  We need pass rush from our front 4, but nothing is more important than ensuring Cam doesn't get violated for 16 weeks again like this season. 

[Panthers8969]

Going into the offseason? So like with this current team? I don't think any spot on the DL is a need when we finished so well in sacks. I would say

1. LT

1.5. New OC

2. SS

3. Other oline depth

Now after we make some moves this offseason, like maybe we don't resign Addison and CJ, then I could see DE being a need but if everyone stays I think we will be fine there 

[top dawg]

I think our top need is LT, hands down.

Next is safety, whether strong or free (because I think Coleman can capably play either, though he is better at FS). 

I kind of view TE and DE the same, and nay perhaps give the edge to TE because we don't have viable depth. 

Lastly, a legit "route-ologist" with decent speed who is a threat to take it to the house every time they touch the ball at WR is always a concern.

I don't care how we adequately plug these holes up, whether it be FA or any round in the draft, as long as we get it done. When G-man addresses one or more of these problematic areas in FA, then RB will take their place.

LT, S, TE, DE and WR.  

[top dawg]

1 hour ago, Panthers8969 said:

Going into the offseason? So like with this current team? I don't think any spot on the DL is a need when we finished so well in sacks. I would say

1. LT

1.5. New OC

2. SS

3. Other oline depth

Now after we make some moves this offseason, like maybe we don't resign Addison and CJ, then I could see DE being a need but if everyone stays I think we will be fine there 

I don't understand the O-line depth thing because when we acquire an LT (and Oher returns), we should have acceptable depth with Remmers and Williams. We also have Yankey, Larsen and Gradkowski in a tight. Not that I am averse to adding some later round projects...but I believe adding one potential LT or RT will go a long way towards fixing a viable line.

 

[d-dave]

I'm going to go a little outside of the box and say that we need better play calling.

So I was watching the Washington and New York game.  OBJ vs JNo.  Norman has had a pretty good year, and is a very good player.  How did New York attack him?  With OBJ running crossing routes.  Frankly we need more plays diagrammed that have an easy fast pass instead of everything being a prayer.  Sure, we love those crazy plays when they work, but they aren't good for a regular playbook.

I'm not naive as well:  We need better blocking from the Tackle position.  That goes without saying, but there are teams with less who do more to move the QB and put them in a better position to make a read and a play call.  There is a good bit of synergy between the playcall and the players.  If the playcall is beyond what our players can do, that's a major problem.

To go with my original idea, we need a gadget player.  Someone who is quick and reliable.  A Darren Sproles type who can make you pay in space.  Fozzy is a fun player to watch, and he's done some good work for us this year, but an upgrade wouldn't hurt.

Finally, and I'm not sure how easy this is: WR separation.  It just seems like Cam is rarely throwing to open guys.  Instead, they are always covered and contested catches.

Now the question arises is how we get there?  A 20 something rookie might be a spark, but not the answer.  Frankly, this is going to have to be a organizational, philosophical change.  Are we in a place to do that now?  I guess we'll see.

[juliosantos]

Tackles

[chknwing]

more urinals.  There's just simply not enough at BOA.  oh wait you meant the team.

[CWORS]

We need to shore up the LT spot. I feel if we can do that the O-line would be great!! I think we should ship our 3rd rd comp pick to the Browns for Thomas. I know it's been said numerous times but to me it's just a no brainer!!! 

[Growl]

This team has to change this offseason. A player on both offense and defense who allows us to attack teams differently.

 

We've hears the reports that the coaching staff wanted this last year. You cannot put something like that off. I.e. entire 2016 season

[Captain Morgan]

The 3 most urgent needs imho are LT, SS and TE.  Imagine where we'd be if Greg got injured in game 4 or 5.

 

We won't find a LT in Round 1, but Jamal should fall to us, giving us a choice of him or Fournette.  If we truly think LF7 is elite, we have to take him.  If we just think he's very very good, I want Adams.

Next up is more OL help.  We could try the Great White Buffalo at RT, so G Dan Feeney could be the choice.  We could trade back and take TE Howard...it is not a deep draft at TE.

I wouldn't be against taking a center to groom behind RK in the 3rd or 4th.

We also need a CB.

DE is always a need...I won't mind if we take one in the first 2 rounds.

[MHS831]

I am typing this without reading the other posts---4 rounds.

Defensive End:  You are lulled into thinking we did ok because we led the league in sacks.  However, we blitzed Safeties, CBs, and LBs all the time, exposing our rookie CBs.  In addition, the run game was suspect on one side at different points in the season.  Addison is likely moving on and CJ wants to come back, but he is in major decline mode.  Ealy, Horton, Johnson?  Not getting it done. I think DE will be our first or second-round pick-- Charlton or Solomon--players we could probably trade down a few spots to get.  (My prediction:  First Round--Taco Charlton)

 

Running Back:  Research on Running Backs: Overall, we see their careers peak at age 27. Afterward, their rushing totals drop by 15 percent in one year, 25 percent in two and almost 40 by the time they are 30. (www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/.../inside-slant-running-back-cliff-after-age-27.)  Stewart is over 30 and underperforming his contract.  In the third or fourth round, you can get a more productive player than Stewart--not smarter, but more productive. (My prediction: 2nd round Christian McCaffry, if he drops that far, but I do not see 3 RBs going in the first round.  gotta love the fact that he does it all--running, blocking, recieving)

Left Tackle: There really aren't many pure LTs in the draft, and Oher is coming back.  Still, Williams is nothing special and Remmers is not a LT, so unless we can find something to upgrade Blind Side, we may not bring in a T early.  I think we are in position to find a developmental player later in the draft and give him a year to win the job.   (My prediction: 3rd round.  Avery Gennesey Tex AM)

 

Safety: Boston had his shot and was not the answer.  Griffin is done.  I am not even a huge Coleman fan, but he is a decent leader and needs to be at FS.  Draft a SS who can step in right away and start.  How do you do that in the fourth round?  CBS has a 4th round grade on this guy, and I love smart football players. He is 6'4" and has good hips and speed.  Still a bit raw, but it is the 4th round.and he played a lot of cover 2.  (Obi Melifonwu, SS). 

 

[Cyberjag]

My list, in no particular order:

• Get healthy.  We got really lucky with injuries in 2015, and the same team in 2016 didn't.  
• Improve our depth on the line, and in the defensive secondary.  Maybe if we plan better for injuries, they'll be less likely to hurt us in 2017.
• In FA, find at least one Coleman-type player to help patch a hole.  I think that RB may be the most likely place for this, but would rather see it on the line or at TE.
• Go as BPA as possible in the Draft.  Target positions are SS, RB, OT, and DE.  If you can get a legit starter at any of those positions in the first, go for it.  That means we're not getting an OT in the first unless we trade down.  TE and Center would be nice-to-haves here.
• Find an identity.  The 2015 and 2016 Panthers were like completely different teams.  The leaders need to step up, decide what we need to be in 2017, and make it happen.

[SuperBowlBound]

In no particular order: safety, defensive end, running back, tight end, wide receiver and offensive tackles must be addressed. The offense needs a small shifty wide receiver that can cut and get open quickly. I thought Sterling Shepherd would've been perfect but we passed.

Drafted tackles have busted at a higher rate with the CBA's practice limitations and the college spread system. The free agency crop of tackles does not look appealing at first look. This could be an area where we make a deal with a team to acquire a tackle. Despite his age, Joe Thomas would be great but I imagine the price will be too high.

The Boston/Griffin safety combo can go. A defensive end is needed badly, possibly two or three. I imagine this is the draft the Panthers take a running back before the fifth round.